✳︎ Saitama Prefecture, Iwatsuki City, Rokuten Shrine - Goods for Sale: Koshigaya Sunawara Daruma ✳︎ Craftsman: Eiichi Matsuzawa ✳︎ Size: Tengu: Approx. 10cm (H) x 6cm (W) x 8.5cm (D) Karasu Tengu: Approx. 8.5cm (H) x 6cm (W) x 7cm (D) ✳︎ Condition: While there are changes in texture due to age, there are no cracks in the paper mache, and the coloring is well-preserved. We are looking for someone who understands old items and will cherish them. Sunawara paper mache, a specialty of Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, which is now discontinued. We are offering a rare set of the most iconic figures, Tengu and Karasu Tengu. This piece is by the third-generation craftsman, Eiichi Matsuzawa, and is a masterpiece that retains the strength of the Showa period. Among Sunawara paper mache, the most famous are the Okiagari Koboshi (roly-poly toys) sold at the Rokuten Shrine (Iwatsuki City). ◉ Sunawara Paper Mache The origin is said to be from the late Meiji to early Taisho period. Hisakichi, the younger brother of the first-generation founder, Magosaburo Matsuzawa, learned to make Daruma from the Endo family in Oobukuro, within the city, and Magosaburo inherited this skill. Later, Magosaburo also created paper mache figures other than Daruma, laying the foundation for Sunawara paper mache. This technique was passed down to his son, Heiichiro (second generation), and his grandson, Eiichi (third generation). The third generation, Eiichi, began production in the late 1940s. By that time, the first and second generations had passed away. As the Matsuzawa family's main occupation was agriculture, they produced Daruma and other paper mache figures during the farming off-season. They would start making Daruma around December for the Daruma market, and after the last Daruma market ended around February, they would make other paper mache figures until the farming season began around April. Characterized by its unrefined, earthy, and powerful brushwork. Especially the sharp gaze of the Tengu and the somewhat mysterious and humorous expression of the Karasu Tengu are unique to Mr. Matsuzawa's craftsmanship. This is a "living folk art" with the peculiar custom of farmers tying these paper mache figures with string and hanging them in their fields to ward off crop theft. Production has now ceased due to the lack of successors, making these items difficult to obtain. There is a note on the bottom from the time, conveying the weight of history as they were actually handled in a place of worship. ◉⤵︎ Search terms below #FolkToy #KeisukeSerizawa #KanArai #PeasantArt #BernardLeach #LuckyCan #NakagawaMasashichiShotenn #GoodLuckCharm #FolkToy #FolkToy #FolkCraft #SouvenirCollection #EiichiMatsuzawa #SoetsuYanagi #KoshigayaPaperMache #MUJI #Kaiyodo #FolkCraft #Exorcism #Amulet #SunawaraPaperMache Discontinued Folk Toy #Daruma #Daruma