“Hachimaki Daruma”, "Inviting Cat", "Inu" toys handcrafted by Hamamatsu Hariko (浜松張子)

Hamamatsu Hariko's “Hachimaki Daruma”, "Inviting Cat", "Inu"  arrived at the our Information Desk in a limited quantity. Hamamatsu's local toy “Hamamatsu Hariko” is said to have started in early of the Meiji era, when a craftsman who moved from Edo with the technology at that time made an Edo-style Hariko toy. How about this traditional and adorable Hamamatsu craft made by the 5th generation as a souvenir or a special gift?

Hamamatsu local toy "Hamamatsu Hariko" Inu Hariko
Price: 4,800 yen (tax included)
Size: Vertical 15cm, Horizontal 8cm, Height 12cm

Inu (dog) Hariko history dates back to the Heian period. At that time, there was no medical knowledge as in modern times. Giving birth and raising children were big inpact for women, and it was a matter of life to Women. From the wishing of giving birth safely even a little, from the ancient times, people wound a "dog belly band' on the calendar "On the day of the dog" or started decorating dog dolls. It is intended to have a share of luck from dogs that give birth with safe deliveries among animals that are close to people's lifestyles.

Hamamatsu local toy "Hamamatsu Hariko" Hachimaki Daruma
Price: 2,100 yen (tax included)
Size: Vertical 5.7cm, Horizontal 5.7cm, Height 8.9cm

Daruma is a tumbling doll from South India, a figurine toy (okimono) imitating the famous Zen Buddhism founder monk making Zen meditation. This round-shaped toy stands up every time it falls and is a talisman symbolizing "always rise after you fall". Almost everybody knows this toy.

Hamamatsu local toy "Hamamatsu Hariko" Neko (Inviting Cat: Manekineko) Hariko
Price: 3,000 yen (tax included)
Size: Vertical 7cm, Horizontal 7cm, Height 11.5cm

Japanese Manekineko or inviting cat is said to encourage business to ones establishment. The raised paw is imagined to be baking a downwards beckoning movement inviting people in. Japanese jesture for inviting is with their palms downwards.

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