. Yamagata Folk Toys

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Yamagata Folk Art - 山形県　

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. butsudan, Yamagata Butsudan 仏壇 Buddhist Family Altar .

. hankotanna, hanko tanna はんこたんな black cloth .

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Daihooji tsuchiningyoo 大宝寺土人形 clay dolls from temple Daiho-Ji
The original form is from Fushimi,
but the eyes are triangular and thus different from the Tsuruoka clay dolls.
They have been made from the end of the Edo period till Meiji.
also called Daihooji ningyoo 大宝寺人形 Daiho-Ji dolls.


source :　www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp

Oboko おぼこ O-Boko
Tsuruoka ningyoo 鶴岡人形 Tsuruoka doll
Her main appeal is the facial expression. Compared to the Tsuruoka O-Hogo which has been mass-produced, this doll has the flavor of hand-made art. She is 23 cm high.

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fuku suzume 福雀 lucky sparrows
Shinjo town 新庄市

. Gassan tamausagi 月山玉兎 Treasure Rabbit from Mount Gassan

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. gatagata カタカタ rattle with handle .

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Hanayama ningyo 花山人形 Dolls from Hanayama
Located in the plain of Yamagata, these dolls have a trong influence from the 堤人形 Tsutsumi dolls.
They are also related to the dolls of 東根市猪野沢で卯平 Uhei from Inozawa village.

. Kinkô 琴高仙人 Kinko Sennin Immortal doll .

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. Hirashimizu ningyoo 平清水人形 Hirashimizu dolls .
and
Hirashimizu-yaki 平清水焼 Hirashimizu pottery


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Inozawa tsuchiningyo 猪之沢土人形 Inozawa clay dolls
Tendoo 天童, Higashine town 東根市. (Inosawa) Inozawa "swamp of the wild boars"

Inozawa is a small village in the east of Tendo town. The dolls there have been made from the end of the Edo period till beginning of Meiji.
Now only a few are left in the stores of 谷地, 東郷村、楯岡.

Around 1819 - 1813, he village 大庄屋 leader Oyamada Rihei 小山田理兵衛 introduced them from kilns of Seto via Tsuchiaka Gorokichi 土赤五郎吉, who became interested in these dolls and studied how to make them in Sendai for a while. Gorokichi was followed by 卯平 Uhei.
Uhei was active around 1881, and then left Inozawa village to go to Hanayama.

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source :　folkcraft.samurai47
itajishi, ita shishi 板獅子 flat lions on a wooden board
... hirajishi 平獅子 "flat lions"
Tsuruoka


. izumeko ningyoo いづめこ人形 / いず（づ）めこ baby or dolls in a straw basket .
Tsuruoka / えずこ Ezuko / えじこ Ejiko / えずめこ Ezumeko

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Kaminoyama hariko 上山張子 papermachee dolls
from the hot spring Kaminoyama onsen　かみのやま温泉
made from handmade washi paper
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



- reference : Kaminoyama Kokeshi -
made by Suisan,　萃山 ー His style is Harusame-bori.

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. Kasedori dolls カセ鳥 人形　kasedori ningyoo .
Kaminoyama, Kamiyama 上山市

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kawara ningyoo 瓦人形 "tile tolls"



Ebisu and Daikoku, Gods of Good Luck

They are made from the same material as roof tiles.
Tsuruoka and Shonai region 庄内



槌持ち童子 Child with a hammer, like Daikoku


庄内伏見人形 Shonai Fushimi Ningyo
Most of them are made like Fushimi clay dolls 伏見人 from Kyoto.
The dolls from Tsuruoka are a bit larger, the one's from Sakata are usually smaller. They are made by pressing the clay around a doll form by hand (nukigata 抜き型)


. Tile Dolls 瓦人形 kawara ningyoo .

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. kiji gangu 木地玩具 wooden toys from Atsumi Onsen Hot Spring 温海温泉 .
- - - - - kurumamono 車もの doll on wheels :
dadakko 駄々っ子 Dadako, a brat, an unmanageable child
wa nage 輪投げ doll throwing rings
- and a visit of Matsuo Basho to this hot spring



. Kokeshi from Yamagata 山形のけこし .
. Atsumi Onsen 温海温泉
. Hijiori kokeshi 肘折系こけし
. Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉
. Kamiyama 上山
. Onogawa Onsen 小野川温泉
. Tendoo 天童
. Tsuruoka
. Yamagata town
. Yonezawa
. Zao Onsen

. Shirabu Onsen 白布温泉 Shirabu Hot Spring Kokeshi .

mizugame to hishaku 水瓶と柄杓 water container and ladle

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Kitsuneishi ningyoo 狐石人形 dolls from Kitsuneishi village
山形県東根市観音寺狐石, Higashine town

They are made in the tradition of Tsutsumi dolls 堤人形.
The have been made by Fukase Kuna / Hisashichi 深瀬久七. They are not so skilfull and have simple colors.


koi katsugi 鯉かつぎ carrying a carp - a sample from the early Meiji period.

- source : www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp/kyoudoningyou


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. Miyauchi no Daruma piggy bank .
宮内のだるま. Nanyoo Town 南陽市

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Narushima ningyoo 成島人形 Narushima dolls / 成島土人形 Narushima Clay Doll
Yonezawa - Narushima is a suburb of Yonezawa 米沢
They are not made any more.


Daruma, about 12 cm high



The soldier is about 23 cm high.
- source : www.asahi-net.or.jp

- - see also Shimokosuge Dolls below

. 犬乗り童子 boy sitting on a dog .

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. Oitama tsumugi 置賜紬 Oitama pongee weaving .
also called - Yonezawa tsumugi 米沢紬 Yonezawa pongee


. 鶴岡人形 - 花魁 Tsuruoka Oiran doll .


. Otaka poppo お鷹ぽっぽ toy hawk


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Sagara ningyoo 相良人形 Sagara dolls
Yonezawa 米沢

First made by 相良清左衛門 - 清左エ門厚忠　- 上杉鷹山公の家臣
- quote
For 220 years these lovely clay dolls have been produced by the Sagara Family, the retainer of the Yonezawa Clan which governed the Yonezawa area during the Edo Period (1603-1868).

Sagara Seizae-mon Atsutada built the Narushima kiln with which the Yonezawa Clan contracted, and began to make dolls from clay found in his backyard in the 1790's after retiring from his clan duties. Sagara family members have continued to produce dolls using the same clay and techniques. It has been referred to as one of the three main styles of dolls in Tohoku region, along with Hanamaki and Tsutsumi Dolls. Production was halted during World War II (1941-1945), but Takashi Sagara began making Sagara Dolls once again in 1967.



With triangular eyes and humorous narrative themes, Sagara Dolls express timeless loveliness.
Clay is pressed into the two sheets of earthen form, pasted together, and trimmed to shape, then dried and baked after being removed from the form. After that they are coated in white with chalk and colored. They feature triangular-shaped eyes unique to Sagara dolls, which are said to have been invented by either the founder or the second generation Sagara. Many dolls are only 13 centimeters high, conveying heartwarming and cute impressions with their humorous themes.
- source : www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/shokokanko




source :　folkcraft.samurai47.com

Sagara tsuchi ningyoo 相良土人形 clay dolls from Sagara
similar to the clay dolls from Fushimi


source :　blog.nihondorei.com

. okoso zukin 御高祖頭巾 hood for winter - dolls .

. tako ni neko 蛸に猫 octopus and manekineko cat .
- nekotako　猫蛸　 “Cat and Octopus”

. charumera ヂャルメラ持ち street vendor with flute .

. daifukuchoo 大福帳持ち福禄寿 account book and Fukuroju .

. haribako 針箱 woman with sewing box .

. taikomochi 太鼓打ち唐子 Karako beating the drum .

. tora nori 虎乗り唐子 Karako riding on a tiger .

鯉担ぎ / 内裏雛 / 三番叟 / 獅子舞 /
- reference source : upp.so-net.ne.jp/kyoudoningyou/sagara -

- Reference to google -

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Terasawa ningyoo 寺沢人形 dolls made by the Terasawa family
Yonezawa, in the tradition of Sagara dolls



They are made in three traditions of clay dolls, 伏見系 from Fushimi (Kyoto), like the 堤系 Tsutsumi ningyo and like
the 御所人形 Gosho Ningyo.
- source : ww007.upp.so-net.ne.jp-


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Sakata Daruma 酒田のだるま


Sakata tsuchiningyoo 酒田土人形 clay dolls from Sakata


source :　blog.nihondorei.com
Kintaro and the mountain woman, Yamamba 金太郎と山姥

. hahako 母子 / 母と子 mother and child dolls .



CLICK for more dolls !

. usagi 兎 rabbit pounding mochi rice .

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- - - Sakata Mingei
豆本「ぼくと酒田」
箸置きキット
絵ローソク
木のオブジェ
鵜渡川原人形
方言手拭い
酒田獅子頭
切り絵版画
厄除けストラップ
- more local food souvenirs
- source : sakata-kankou.com

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Sasanobori, Sasano-bori 笹野彫り Sasano woodcarvings
Yonezawa 米沢市
Sasano Ittobori, carved with one knife.


Daruma

. taka 鷹 The Hawk .
statue at temple Sasano Kannon 笹野観音

. ushi 丑 ox, oxen .

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Sasano Mingeikan 笹野民芸館 Sasano Folk Craft Museum

source : sasano-fom

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. Shibue ningyoo 渋江人形 Shibue dolls .

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Shimokosuge ningyoo 下小菅人形 dolls from Shimokosuge village
Yonezawa


CLICK for more images !


takarabune 宝船 Treasure boat for the New Year


Together with Narushima 成島, Shimokosuge is a village about 5 km north of Yonezawa town.
Dolls have been made here since the Meiji period.
In Shimokosuge, the craftsman 山田亀蔵 Yamada Kamezo made these dolls.
In Narushima, 井上弘章 Inoue Hiroaki made these dolls in his free time as a farmer. They have a very special flavor.

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. Sakata Shishigashira 酒田獅子頭 lion heads from Sakata .

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. sumi ningyoo 炭人形 dolls made from charcoal .
Tozawa village 戸沢村

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tai-nori Ebisu 鯛乗り恵比寿 God Ebisu on a sea bream
made from clay, in the tradition of 伏見人形 Fushimi dolls.
Made only in 鶴岡市 Tsuruoka and 酒田市 Sakata city. The one from Sakata is smaller.
The one from Tsuruoka in the back is about 25 cm.
- source - asahi-net -


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tako 凧 kites
... 人凧 with humans 亀凧 with turtle 鶴凧 with crane
酒田 Sakata town

. ... kazen-dako 花泉凧 from Yamagata city .
- (not : hanaizumi dako) -

. tako　凧 Kites of Japan - Introduction .

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. tansu 箪笥 / 簞笥 -- たんす chest of drawers, Kommode .
Sakata Funa-dansu (ship chests) (Sakata City)
Shōnai tansu 庄内箪笥 黒漆 The black laquer Tansu from the Shonai region are most famous.
Yonezawa Tansu (chest of drawers) (YonezawaCity)
Yamagata Sashimono (cabinetry) (Yamagata City)

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tokotoko ningyoo とことこ人形 "Tokotoko dolls"
oteteko ningyoo おててこ人形 - about 15 cm high
中山町 Nakayamacho town

Very simple straw dolls, with the knot seen as the head of the doll. Stuck into a barrel of rice straw (ミゴ migo).
Taken out of the barrel they can move the legs up and down, the arms can go up in the air to make the movement of バンザイ Banzai.
With the modern maschines to cut rice, they are not made any more.


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. Tsuruoka mingei 鶴岡民芸 folk art from Tsuruoka .
Tsurugaoka 鶴が岡 - Shōnai 庄内平野　Shonai plain

anesama 姉さま "elder sister" dolls
e-roosoku 絵蠟燭 / 絵ろうそく e-rosoku, erosoku, picture candles
gotenmari, goten mari 御殿まり decoration balls
warazaiku 藁細工 straw figures / wara uma 藁馬 horses from straw
- and many more


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. Udogawara tsuchiningyoo 鵜渡川原土人形 clay dolls from Udogawara village .
Sakata

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. Uetsu shinafu 羽越しな布 Uetsu tilia bark cloth .

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uma-nori Daikoku 馬乗り大黒 God Daikoku on a horse
Sakata town, Tsuruoka town


source :　amanaimages.com/info

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. Yamagata hariko 山形張り子 - papermachee dolls from Yamagata town .
. . . . . including Shibue ningyoo 渋江人形 Shibue dolls
. . . . . tako ni neko 蛸に猫 octopus cuddeling a manekineko cat

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Yoroku tsuchiningyoo 与六土人形 clay dolls made by Yoroku



In the hamlet Kashiwagura 柏倉 in the Western Mountain region, these dolls were made from the end of the Edo period till beginning of Meiji.
Yoroku had studied tsutsumi doll making 堤人形 in Sendai and in Owari, Aichi and returned to the village in 1868.
He used vivid colors.

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. Yamagata imono　山形鋳物 ironware, cast iron, metal art .
from 山形市 Yamagata city

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. mari neko まり猫 cat on a temari hand ball .

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karakara senbei からからせんべい crackers with toys inside



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. Reference and Photos . Asahi net - Gangu Guide .
- sakigake-one.sakura.ne... -
- www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp/kyoudoningyou...


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- Specialities from Yamagata (external link)
Textiles
Carpet (Yamanobe Town)
Shinjo Kameaya-ori Fabric (Shinjo City)
Yonezawa-ori Fabric (Yonezawa City)
Nagai Tsumugi (Nagai City)
Aoso-ori Fabric (Nan'yo City)
Shirataka Tsumugi (Shirataka Town)

Dyed Textiles
Sagae Shusse Koi-nobori (carp streamer) (Sagae City)
Benibana-zome (Safflower Dyeing) (Kahoku Town)
Other Textile Products
Knitting (Yamanobe Town)
Nagai Sashiko Quilting (Nagai City)
Shonai Sashiko Quilting (Sakata City)
Yuza Sashiko Quilting (Yuza Town)

Creamics
Kaminohata-yaki Pottery (Obanazawa City)
Shinjo Higashiyama-yaki Pottery (Shinjo City)
Yonezawa-yaki Pottery Narushima-gama Kiln (Yonezawa City)
Narushima-yaki Pottery Wakui-gama Kiln (Nagai City)

Lacquerware
Mamurogawa Shikki Lacquerware (Mamurogawa Town)
Eguchi-Shikki Kogei (Eguchi Lacquerware Workshop) (Nagai City)
Isokusa-nuri Lacquering (Sakata City)

Woodwork
Sakata Kokyu-bori Carving (Sakata City)
Tsuru-zaiku (vine works) (Nishikawa Town)
Sasano-bori Curving (Yonezawa City)
Kuro-shishigashira (black lion's mask) (Nagai City)
Tsuru-zaiku (vine crafts) (Oguni Town)

Precious Stones - Gassan Agate (Nishikawa Town)

Japanese Paper
Gassan Washi (Japanese Paper) (Nishikawa Town)
Miyama-washi (Japanese Paper) (Shirataka Town)

Dolls
Ginzan Kokeshi (Wooden Dolls) (Obanazawa City)
Kikumaro Kokeshi (Wooden Dolls) (Nishikawa Town)
Hijiori Kokeshi (Wooden Dolls) (Okura Village)
Sagara Dolls (Yonezawa City)
Udogawara Dolls (Sakata City)

Other Crafts
Toyokuni Zori (Japanese Sandals) (Sagae City)
Tendo Shogi-koma (Japanese Chess Pieces) (Tendo City)
Kasen-dako (picture kite) (Tendo City)
Momono-mi Kogeihin (art crafts made from peach seeds) (Oe Town)
Kote-e (Decorative Relief Work on Plaster) (Oishida Town)
Mi (Agricultural Tool) (Oishida Town)
Onmyoji-dako (Kite) (Shinjo City)
E-rosoku (Picture Candles) (Tsuruoka City, Sakata City)
Sakata-tako (Kite) (Sakata City)
Kasa-fuku (Ornamental Hanging Handiworks) (Sakata City)
- source : pref.yamagata.jp/ou/shokokanko...

- Furniture - A fusion of traditional and innovative techniques gives perfect functionality and beautiful designs
- Carpets - Carpet
Excellent handcrafted carpets, made with a consistent manufacturing process from the thread, to dyeing, weaving, to the finishing process
- Okitama-tsumugi
- - - - - details
- source : www.yamagata-export.jp

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. WASHOKU . Regional Dishes from Yamagata

MORE
. Yamagata Folk Toys - this BLOG .


. Japan after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011


. Shichi-Fukujin　七福神 Seven Gods of Good Luck -
Ebisu, Daikoku . . .


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. Yamanashi Folk Toys

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Yamanashi Folk Art - 山梨県　



The capital is the city of Kofu　甲府.
Kooshuu 甲州 Koshu is the old name of the domain.

The hero of the prefecture is
. Takeda Shingen　武田信玄 . - (1521 - 1573)


. inden 印伝革 deerskin goods .
a government-designated "Traditional Craft of Japan"
with haiku
- and
Shingen-bukuro. Shingenbukuro 信玄袋 Shingen leather drawstring-pouch


. Tanabata ningyoo 七夕人形 star festival dolls .


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Enzan town 塩山


kanakanbutsu かなかんぶつ


kanakanbutsu かなかんぶつ Kanakan Masks

They are decorated for the Boy's Festival on May 5.
The Chinese characters are
kana kabuto 金兜（かなかぶと）、金甲 Metal Helmet
or
kami kanbutsu 紙冠物（かみかんぶつ Helmet from paper

Another reading is
O kabuto san オカブトサン "Honorable Helmets"
They are made from papermachee and show warriours, sometimes mounted on horses.
They were a favorite in the samurai families of the Edo period. Some even say this is the figure of Lord Takeda Shingen.
Some dolls feature a body with a suit of armor too (yoroi 鎧 ).
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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. hatobue 鳩笛 pidgeon whistle .
It was used by hunters in autumn to lure pheasants.

. Enzan 塩山宿 postal station of the Ome Kaido Highway 青梅街道 .


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Kai city 甲斐市

O miyuki san おみゆきさん Lady Miyuki



During the Festival on the 15th of April men dress as ladies and put on make-up, then carry mikoshi to fight against each other.


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Kofu city 甲府

. Shingen Daruma 信玄だるま Takeda Shingen Daruma　.


Koshu Mame Daruma 甲州豆だるま Small Daruma doll from Kofu

. Kofu Daruma 甲府だるま Yamanashi Daruma from Kofu .
oyako Daruma 親子だるま Daruma Father and Child
Kooshuu Daruma 甲州だるま Daruma from Koshu / Kooyoo Daruma 甲陽だるま Koyo Daruma

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. fukuryuu 福龍 lucky dragon .

. gohei koma 御幣駒 horse with gohei ritual wand decoration .

. hariko no tenjin 張り子の天神 Tenjin sama doll .

. mayu ningyoo まゆ人形 dolls from silk cocoons .

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Fuji Sengen Taisha no ema 富士浅間大社の絵馬 votive tablets

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Koshu tebori insho 甲州手彫印章 Koshu hand-carved seals
Koshu Tebori Insho refers to hand-engraved personal signature stamps produced in the Yamanashi Prefecture cities of Kofu and Fujiyoshida. Bringing together all of Yamanashi’s engravers, dealers, and material producers, this local industry is unlike that found in any other prefecture.
One of the special characteristics of Koshu Tebori Insho seals is the designation of their materials as tsuge (box tree) wood, water buffalo horn, or crystal.
- more
- source : kogeijapan.com... -


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mekuridashi ningyoo　目くり出し人形　dolls with rolling eyes

They are made from strong washi paper, just a head on a bamboo stick and a string to perform the tricks.
The eyes can roll and change color from white to black to read. The tongue comes to stick out.
Main figures are Sanbaso, Fukusuke or a cat.
Craftsmen in the Taisho period, who made papermachee Daruma dolls, became interested in the karakuri mechanical dolls. They begun to sell these simple dolls with moving parts at the Daruma markets in Yamanashi. They are not made any more nowadays.



This is a version stitched by Michiko san.
- source : Michiko -


- - - - - A similar doll is made in Kumamoto :
. obake no Kinta お化けの金太 Kinta the Ghost .
guriguri me どんぐり目, 目くり出し人形 meguridashi ningyo - goggle-eyed doll

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more about mushikiri, connected with illness of children
. mushikiri dorei 虫切り土鈴 clay bell .
shrine Kanazakura Jinja 金櫻神社 / 金桜神社 in Kofu
The shrine is in a far corner of a valley, but this clay bell is one of the three most famous ones in Japan.
The golden bell is held by a white-red auspicious cord. This thin cord was used to bind the bell to the belt of a nervous child. When the cord broke and the bell was lost, the child was healed.
The first bell of this kind was made by the the goddess Kushinadahime, wife of Susanoo no Mikoto, to appease her own child.

kan no mushi 疳の虫 / 癇 insect of nervousness, short-temperedness
nakimushi 泣き虫 insect of crying too much
hara no mushi 腹の虫 insect causing diarrhea

. medicine for kan no mushi 疳の虫 .

dorei 土鈴 clay bells



Kanazakura Jinja dorei 金桜神社土鈴 Clay bells from shrine Kanazakura jinja
at the gorge Yoosenkyoo 昇仙峡 Yosenkyo


dog clay dolls

Kanazakura-jinja Shrine, a shrine worthiping Mt. Kinpu, is located at the top of Shosenkyo Gorge. The sacred tree of the shrine, called “ukon-zakura” has been worshiped as
“Kane no naruki no Kanazakura (golden cherry blossoms producing money)” in the old folk song dedicated to the tree. Its gold colored blossoms are in full bloom from late April to early May.
- reference source : yamanashi-kankou.jp... -

quote
Kanazakura Shrine is located in Mitake-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Enshrined are five deities including Susanoo-no Mikoto, Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto. Known as the birthplace of crystal in Japan, it enshrines crystal balls as the sacred treasure. It is said that the original shrine was founded during the reign of Emperor Sujin (97-30 B.C.), when Sukunahikona No Mikoto was enshrined at the top of Mt. Kinpu. In the later period, when Yamato Takeru dropped in at this shrine to offer a prayer on his way to the eastern land, he founded a shrine at this place as the satomiya (village shrine).

During the Warring States period (1493-1573), the shrine was worshipped by the Takeda clan as their oratory. It was also protected by the Tokugawa clan in the Edo period (1603-1868). The shrine building was destroyed by fire in 1955, and reconstructed into the present vermillion Honden (the main hall) in 1959. This shrine is believed to bring the benefits of recovery of illness, getting rid of bad luck and luck with money.

In spring, the shrine is crowded with a lot of cherry blossom viewers to enjoy 600 cherry trees in the precinct including the very rare tree named “Turmeric Cherry,” which produces yellow blossoms.
source : nippon-kichi.jp

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quote
Kushinadahime - Kushinada hime 櫛名田媛
Other names: Kushi inada hime(Nihongi)

The daughter of Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi.
About to be devoured by the serpent Yamata no orochi, Kushinadahime was saved by Susanoo in exchange for becoming his wife. Susanoo transformed the girl into a comb and placed her in his hair, then defeated the serpent. He afterwards built a palace in Izumo where he married her.
Kojiki states that Susanoo composed a song on the occasion of his wedding:

Clouds arise one on another:
The manyfold fence of Izumo;
Build that manyfold fence,
the manyfold fence
To enfold the new bride.

This song was later valorized as a sacred verse representing the roots of Japanese waka poetry. Susanoo and Kushinadahime produced the child Yashimashinumi, said to be ancestor of Ōkuninushi. The Izumo fudoki includes a report associating Kushinada with the origin of the local place name for Kumadani ("secluded valley"), stating that "Kushiinada Mitoyomanurahime" chose the place when seeking a quiet site to give birth.
source : Mori Misue, Kokugakuin 2005

She is the same as
. Inada hime no mikoto
稲田姫命（いなだひめのみこと） .
and the clay bells at shrine Susaki jinja 洲崎神社, Aichi



THE PALACE OF SUGA - Kojiki
So thereupon His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness sought in the land of Idzumo for a place where he might build a palace. Then he arrived at a place [called] Suga, and said:
"On coming to this place my august heart is pure," —and in that place he built a palace to dwell in. So that place is now called Suga.
When this Great Deity first built the palace of Suga, clouds rose up thence.
Then he made an august song.

八雲立つ出雲八重垣妻ごみに
八重垣作るその八重垣を

yakumo tatsu Izumo yaegaki tsumagomi ni
yaegaki tsukuru sono yaegaki o

Eight clouds arise.
The eight-fold fence of Izumo
Makes an eightfold fence
For the spouses to retire within.
Ah! that eight-fold fence!
source :　www.sacred-texts.com



Yakumo (eight clouds) is another name for
cloud iridescence, zui-un 瑞雲 or sai-un 彩雲.



source :　kamigata-ginka.
「八雲」は「弥雲」Yagumo
誉田屋源兵衛の帯展 Obi exhibition by Kondaya Genbei


. Koizumi Yakumo 小泉八雲 Lafcardio Hearn .


Kushinadahime クシナダヒメ - 櫛名田比売 and hair comb amulets

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Yamanashi Jewelry Museum
1-6-1 Marunouchi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi
- source : pref.yamanashi.jp/yjm/en... -

- quote -
Yamanashi Jewelery
Yamanashi has many local industries that are deeply rooted in its history and climate, and are well known nationwide, including the wine, textile, insho seal and washi (traditional Japanese paper) industries. The industry that particularly stands out nationally is jewelry. Yamanashi’s total jewelry production stands as high as 37.8 billion yen per year, or a third of the Japanese market—making Yamanashi the number one producer in Japan.

The history of jewelry in Yamanashi can be traced back to the Jomon Period (14,000 B.C.-300 B.C.), but the development of decoration techniques came to the fore during the late Edo Period (1603-1868). Yet it was the Meiji Period (1868-1912) that ushered in the golden era for crystal jewelry. When the Meiji government promulgated a mining act, intense excavation commenced. Though crystal mining existed throughout Japan at the time, no resource district could be compared to the mines surrounding the foothills of Mount Kongo in Yamanashi, leading the region to become Japan’s chief production center for crystals. Later, due to the exhaustion of local gemstone resources and other factors, some dealers inevitably went out of business. However, a great effort was put into importing gemstones from abroad and shipping both domestically and internationally, enabling the region’s high-quality polishing techniques to be passed on.

One characteristic of Yamanashi’s jewelry is its integrated production, a methodology that is uncommon even worldwide. Everything from the cutting of gemstones to the metallurgy and even the finishing touches of the jewelry are all done within the prefecture, and products ranging from metal crafts to jewelry are widely produced in the region. Consistent quality has been cultivated in these various metal works, and a stable production output has been maintained.

Today there are over 1,000 companies involved in Yamanashi’s jewelry industry. These companies have stoically pursued the peak of quality, with local appraisers of precious metal products ensuring that high-quality jewelry products like no other are constantly being produced.

A production center revitalization project has recently been developed, by which the entire industry aims to improve the quality of all aspects of production, including materials, techniques and design. Recognized under the brand Koo-Fu , training programs have also been implemented to cultivate young successors to the industry. With a combination of an established tradition and a welcoming embrace of younger generations’ innovative ideas, Yamanashi jewelry will surely continue to prosper for years to come.
- source : japan-brand.jnto.go.jp/crafts... -

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- quote -
Koshu Crystal Carving 甲州水晶貴石細工 Koshu Suisho Kiseki Zaiku
This craft started some one thousand years ago, after quartz was found near Mount Kinpu beyond Mitakeshosenkyo, which is famous for its beautiful views. When it was first discovered, it was used as an ornament but by the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868), Shinto priests were taking the raw material to Kyoto to have them made into gems.
Koshu Suisho Kiseki Zaiku started in the latter days of the Edo period, when master craftsmen were welcomed to the area and began polishing quartz on an iron sheet using a emery powder called kongousha made from a very hard stone, rather in the way that diamonds are polished.
Ornaments and items of jewelry are being produced today. Many of these pieces have been created to make the most of the distinctive features of the natural gem stone, meaning that no two items are alike.
Yamanashi crystal art sculpture cooperative association
- source : kougeihin.jp... -


by 田中佑幸

- and Daruma san !




fuku Daruma 福だるま for good luck



. . . CLICK here for more Photos　of crystal Daruma 水晶　だるま　 !


. suishoo koogei 水晶細工 Suisho crystal art and craft .

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. Reference and Photos . Gangu Guide .
. Reference and Photos . Yama no Ie . Folk Toys .

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. WASHOKU . Regional Dishes from Yamanashi

MORE
. Yamanashi Folk Toys - this BLOG .


. Japan after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011


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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]

- #yamanashi #minobu #kanakan -
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. Toyama Folk Toys

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
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Toyama Folk Art - 富山県

Kurobe Dam 黒部ダム
Tateyama Mountain Range 館山連峰 / 立山連峰
Shirakawa 白河郷 Shirakawa village (part is Fukui prefecture)

Old domain of Etchuu 越中 Etchu

Toyama is rather small,
It is bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the west, Niigata to the northeast, Nagano to the southeast, Gifu to the south and Sea of Japan to the north. It has now only 10 cities.

氷見　Himi, 　射水　Imizu, 　黒部　Kurobe, 滑川　Namerikawa, 南砺　Nanto, 　小矢部　Oyabe, 高岡 Takaoka,
砺波 Tonami, 富山　 Toyama (capital) and 魚津 Uozu.


. Tateyama Shinkō　立山信仰 Tateyama belief .

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Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village - 富山市民俗民芸村
Minzokumingeimura

The village consists of nine buildings including museums for pottery, traditional Japanese life and medicine peddlers, and a tea ceremony house. The Gyujin Memorial Art Gallery is dedicated to the local Suiboku (black ink wash technique) artist, Takamura Gyujin　篁牛人.　 Traditional Toyama clay dolls are made and sold at the shop across from the tea house.

- source : city.toyama.toyama.jp/etc/minzokumingei -
With an English pamphlet.


. Medicine sellers from Toyama 富山の薬売り - kusuri-uri .

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. Etchu Daruma 越中だるま
tako　越中だるま凧　 Etchu kite with Daruma

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Gokayama village 五箇山

. Gokayama Daruma 五箇山の達磨 .
Gokayama hariko 五箇山張子 papermachee dolls

. shiso ningyoo 紙塑人形 dolls made from paper mixed with clay .
mostly the 12 zodiac animals

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Owara kaze no bon おわら風の盆 souvenirs from Owara
- source and more photos : gokayama_mura003 -

. kaze no bon　風の盆 "Bon of the Wind" festival .

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kawaya no kami 厠の神, 厠神　dolls of the toilet deities
toire no kamisama　トイレの神様



. kawaya no kami 厠の神 Japanese God of the Toilet .

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Takaoka 高岡市

. Takaoka Casting - imono　鋳物 ironware .

. urushi　漆 Takaoka Lacquerware .

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Toga village 利賀村

. hatsu uma no wara uma 初午の藁馬 straw horse .

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- - - - - Toyama town 富山市


Toyama no kaemono 富山の替え物 things to exchange
Usokae うそ替え / 鷽替え exchanging carved bullfinches


. fukutoku ningyoo 福徳人形 Fukutoku auspicious dolls .

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ippon kaku no shishigashira 一本角の獅子頭 lion head


Etchu mayoke no mayokejishi, mayoke shishi 越中魔除獅子
lion head to ward off evil

Usually carved from paulownia wood and made in many villages.
The big lion head is used in a lion dance and the small ones are placed at home.
They have been produced since the Meiji Restauration (1868). A lion would purify the road and lead its followers along.

. Shishigashira 獅子頭 lion head mask .

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. Toyama Tenjin 富山天神人形 Tenjin figures from Toyama .
Sugawara Michizane 菅原道真

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Toyama tsuchi ningyoo 土人形 clay dolls from Toyama


source : city.toyama.toyama.jp

Toyama has been a center for making clay dolls since the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867) when Hirose Yasujiro 広瀬秀信, a potter in Nagoya, presented a clay doll of Tenin on a Bull 天神臥牛 to Maeda Toshiyasu 前田利保, the lord of the Toyama feudal domain.
Hirose build the kiln 千歳窯 at the compound of 千歳御殿. The students of Hirose, the 渡辺家 Watanabe family is still making dolls as of 1970.
About seventy types of clay dolls are still being made today, now by a group of perserving the art of these dolls, とやま土人形伝承会.　There is even a figure of a man pulling a passenger in a rikshaw 人力車人形.


dorei 土鈴 clay bells with the 12 zodiac animals


- quote -
Colorful clay hina dolls [Toyama]
..... clay dolls, which have round shapes and simple designs. The tradition dates back to the mid-19th century, when the lord of the Toyama clan invited a potter from outside to open a kiln and his son later produced clay dolls there.



The dolls were designated as a local traditional craft by the prefectural government in 2013.
- source : hokuriku.the-japan-news.com -


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Watanabe Nobuhide 渡辺信秀
haha to ko 母と子 Mother and Child


source :　blog.nihondorei.com

. hahako 母子 / 母と子 mother and child dolls .

Nobuhide was in the third generation of doll makers, but had no follower.
So the townspeople started a special group to preserve the clay doll making 富山土人形伝承会.
- source and more photos : kyoudogangu.xii.jp

His line of work is followed by 古川圭子 Furukawa Keiko.


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- quote -
Uriwari-no-shimizu　瓜裂の清水 Split-Melon Clear Water
Shokawa 庄川 in Toyama Prefecture is a town dominated by water. Water runs from the Hida Mountains into the Sho River and through Mt Goka to appear again at the edge of Tonami Plain, where Shokawa is located. Abundant water also runs to Tonami Plain from mountains in Nanto. Waterfalls and clear water springs occur, too, at many places along the slopes and at the foot of the mountains.



Shokawa features one of Japan's 100 best water sites: Uriwari-no-shimizu, which means 'Split-Melon Clear Water'. To find this site in Shokawa, look for some Buddha stone statues in a shallow cave near the road under a hilly terrace in Iwaguro housing development. In the cave, clear water wells up under the gaze of the Buddhas.

About 600 years ago, legend has it that Shaku-shonin 綽上人, a founder of Zuisenji Temple in Inami, was visiting this area when one of his horse's hooves suddenly broke through the ground and released clear water.
The 'split melon' name refers to a story that a melon once split naturally when cooled in the water here. The water never stops even for extended periods of hot weather, and is thus worshiped as holy water.
富山県砺波市庄川町金屋
- source : nippon-kichi.jp -

綽如（本願寺5世、後井波瑞泉寺開祖）が、杉谷山（岩黒の奥山)の庵から地方へ布教にでかけた。当地で休憩した際、馬の蹄が陥没して、その後より清水こんこんと湧きだした。村人が綽如をもてなす為、この清水に瓜を冷やしたところ、瓜が自然に裂けた。その美味しさが格別であったので、綽如がこの清水を瓜裂の清水と名付けた。それ以来この清水は枯渇することなく、霊水として村民から憩いの場となっている（現地看板要約）

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- quote -
Inami chookoku 井波彫刻 Inami Woodcarving, Inami sculpture



When the highly skilled carpenters of Inami were rebuilding the main worship hall at Zuizenji temple after it had been destroyed by a fire in the middle of the 18th century, some woodcarvers with official patronage were dispatched from Kyoto to help with the work and it is thought that the carving techniques they passed on to the local carpenters marked the beginnings of woodcarving here.
At first the Inami carpenters did both carpentry and woodcarving, mainly doing pieces of carving for temples. By the Meiji period (1868-1912), however, specialist woodcarvers had immerged and they began to produce items of a more general nature including transom for domestic housing.
The principal timbers now used are
camphor (Cinnamonum Camphora), zelkova (Zelkova serrata) and paulownia (Paulownia Sieb. et Zucc.). When making a transom, they carve from both sides to produce a deep relief effect which is often cut right through and use a variety of motifs including birds, flowers, people and landscape. This form of traditional carving requires a high degree of skill and using upward of 200 different chisels and woodcarving knives, they complete pieces of breath-taking intricacy and beauty.
- reference source : kougeihin.jp... -

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Shogawa woodcraft
Shogawa hikimono kiji 庄川挽物木地
Shogawa woodcraft is mostly woodcraft articles such as bowls or trays made in a wide area of the Toyama prefecture including the city of Takaoka and the city of Tonami.
Shogawa woodcraft was registered as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1978 for its simple yet beautifully made wood craftwork.
- source : kogeijapan.com/locale...-


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. Reference and Photos . Gangu Guide .
. Reference and Photos . Yama no Ie . Folk Toys .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. WASHOKU . Regional Dishes from Toyama

MORE
. Toyama Folk Toys - this BLOG .


. Japan after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011


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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
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