japanese folkcraft yabaseningyo maneki neko lucky cat

Love Japanese Style Like We Do

Such a delightful tsuchi ningyo, or clay doll. The maneki neko is a  Yabaseningyo lucky cat and is a local folk craft of Akita Prefecture, with a history dating back over 200 years.

Clay dolls were one of the first kind of folk toys made in Japan, beginning around the Heian Era (794-1185). They were made in molds and then hand painted with mineral pigments to give them life. Each doll had a slightly different expression and was a unique piece. The molds and techniques were passed down through generations. Their production peaked in the Edo and Meiji Eras, but unfortunately few artists remain these days.

This cute cat, although small, is quite heavy. Its body is coated in a white mineral pigment paint with accents of red paint on its ears, collar and claws. Random black spots, outlined in orange adorn its body. The cat has tall, upright ears and wide open eyes, both searching for good fortune from afar.  It is similar in shape to the Mikawa cats, found in Aichi prefecture, with the same wide hips and pointed ears. The cat’s facial expression and eyebrows are adorable.

The maneki neko’s right arm is raised beckoning in money and good fortune. A big gold bell suspended from its collar is said to ward off evil. It is signed on the back.

Traditional clay dolls, made in molds and using techniques passed down from the Edo and Meiji Eras, are hard to come by. Few artists remain and being hand made and hand painted, they can only be made in small quantities. A very special lucky cat with a lovely rustic folk craft feel.

- cat measures around 13 cm (5.25”) x 8 cm (3.25”) wide.
- weighs 380 gm.

(listing for Yabaseningyo cat only)

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TSUCHI NINGYO
Tsuchi Ningyo, or clay dolls, are one of the folk toys that can be seen in many areas in Japan, along with Hariko dolls, or paper mache dolls. Both have been the simplest form of dolls since the Heian period.

The shapes of the baked clay dolls are made in a mold and those same molds have been passed down through generations of the families who make them.

Clay dolls are painted and do not need to be dressed in clothes.  The intricate work of the painting and the vivid colors put the soul into the dolls, making them very attractive.

The roots of tsuchi ningyo can be traced back to Fushimi  Ningyo,  the clay dolls made in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture. They became popular souvenirs for people who visited Fushimi Inari Taisha and they spread to many areas in Japan. 

Tsuchi Ningyo in each area of Japan have close connections with local customs, folk religions and annual events. Hina Sama dolls, Manekineko dolls, Ebisu and Daikoku God dolls, Tenjinsama, (the lucky god for study) and bells depicting the 12 animals of the Japanese Zodiac are just a few examples. 

As Tsuchi ningyo age the paintwork fades giving them a charm all of their own. Antique clay dolls and gods with almost no paintwork are quite sought after and have a lovely ‘wabisabi’ feel.

At the end of Edo Period and Meiji Era, there were about 150 areas in Japan producing Tsuchi Ningyo. Now, there are only 40 areas; about one-fourth of the peak. Although the number of makers is decreasing, there are still many avid fans collecting Tsuchi Ningyo made by famous craftsman. Many local areas are now trying to revive the production of their  special Tsuchi Ningyo.

MANEKI NEKO
Maneki neko, or the beckoning cat, is a good luck charm that dates back to the Edo era. It was traditionally used by businesses to beckon in customers and money. A raised left paw beckons in customers and a raised right paw beckons in money and good fortune.  

These days, not just businesses, but almost every Japanese household has a maneki neko for good luck. Sometimes both of the paws are raised! There are so many different kinds of maneki neko and they really make a wonderful collection item.