✳︎ Product Name: "Fukumi" (Lucky Snake) from Imado Ningyo ✳︎ Craftsman: Made by Shirai of Imado-yaki ✳︎ Condition: No box / Minor scratches overall, but the main body is generally in good condition / "Imado-yaki" stamp on the back / Please understand that there may be some wear and tear due to being a used item. ✳︎ Size: Approximately Height 92 x Width 55 x Depth 58mm ✳︎ Notes: Please order with the understanding that this is a used item. Returns and exchanges are not accepted. In the early Edo period, the production of roof tiles and earthenware began in the Sumida River estuary area of Taito-ku, Tokyo, utilizing the high-quality clay of the area, and alongside this, the making of clay dolls began. It is said that Imado Ningyo became popular from the mid to late Edo period, influenced by Fushimi dolls from Kyoto. After surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Great Wars of the Showa era, Imado Ningyo is still loved as the only existing clay doll in Tokyo, a local toy of Tokyo. This work is "Fukumi" from Imado-yaki. The white snake is said to be a messenger of the gods and is also known as an animal that brings good fortune. The smiling expression of the snake seems very auspicious. ◯ What is 【Imado-yaki】? It is pottery manufactured and sold mainly in Imado and its surrounding areas from the Edo period to the Meiji period. At the end of the Edo period, there were over 50 houses manufacturing Imado-yaki (『Honcho Tokiko Sho』). However, the demand for Imado-yaki gradually decreased. Furthermore, due to the urbanization of the Imado area, earthquakes, and war damage, many of the craftsmen who continued to manufacture moved to surrounding areas such as the east bank of the Sumida River and the basins of the Nakagawa and Arakawa rivers. In such circumstances, the Shirai family has been manufacturing and selling Imado-yaki in this area since the Edo period. The stone komainu (guardian dogs) in the precincts of Imado Shrine (1-5-22 Imado), the local tutelary shrine, (Tangible Cultural Property of Taito-ku) were dedicated by Imado-yaki craftsmen of the Edo period. Imado Ningyo is made by kneading clay, molding it in a mold, drying it, firing it in a kiln, and then applying color. There are many types, such as foxes, tanuki (raccoon dogs), "anesama" dolls, beckoning cats, Okame, and Fukusuke, and they have long been popular local toys among the common people of Edo and Tokyo. Please see the following hashtag for other Snake Year decorations ⤵︎ #巳年飾り (Year of the Snake Decorations) ◯ ⤵︎ Search terms below Zodiac Doll Good luck charm Evil warding Tori no Ichi (Rooster Market) Edo Hobby Small Toy Sukeroku Imado Shrine Folk craft Bringing good fortune Lucky Can Lucky Snake Lucky Beckoning Year-end and New Year holidays New Year's Day Zodiac decoration Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Living with antique tools Mingei (Folk Craft) Traditional craft folktoy folk toy casabrutus