Monkey Folk Doll - Praying

Product Description

Craftsman Reizo Nagata and his daughter create these folk monkey dolls from their ceramics studio at the foot of Mt. Koba in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan – preserving a long history of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

It has been said that the origin of this Konohazaru doll started around 1300 years ago. Reizo and his daughter are currently the 7th generation of their family producing these clay monkey dolls by hand following their ancestors traditions.

Local red clay is collected and processed at their studio. Next the dolls are hand-built without the use of molds, these hand shaping techniques are called “tebineri" in Japanese (hand-building). After being formed and dried for a period of time, they are biscuit-fired and hand painted.

Within the local area Konohazaru dolls have commonly been displayed at doorways since ancient times, and treasured as a guardian deity that wards off disasters, diseases, and brings protection and prosperity for people.

This praying design is based on an old Konohazaru excavated from the ruins of an old home in the local neighbourhood.

Since all Konohazaru dolls are made by hand, each has a slightly different shape and expression, and fired clay colours range from brown to dark charcoal – each piece is truly unique.

Details

Handmade in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

Measurements: approximately W3.5 x H9.5cm

This praying design comes with an optional black wooden stand measuring 7 x 9cm.

Care: Do not get wet, or hand wash.