Rokuhara-hariko is an original doll by Sawahan-Kobo and made from handmade washi paper produced in Hanamaki, Iwate. One piece of paper is glued at a time to another piece using a unique back-lining technique. “Okiagari Koboshi” is a classic doll with a weight on the bottom; it rocks back upright if you push it.

Miharu-ningyo (doll) was born in Fukushima. It is originated from clay dolls made as lucky charms, under the name of “Ebisu, Daikokuya” by the ancestor of the Hashimoto, a military commander’s family of the Sengoku period (period of warring states), who became a farmer. Since then, the clay dolls have improved into hariko dolls made with washi paper presenting three-dimensional expressions. You can still find numbers of exquisite masterpieces molded in the old wooden forms with the amazing technique, and the old dolls are being reproduced to this day.

Miharu-ningyo (doll) was born in Fukushima. It is originated from clay dolls made as lucky charms, under the name of “Ebisu, Daikokuya” by the ancestor of the Hashimoto, a military commander’s family of the Sengoku period (period of warring states), who became a farmer. Since then, the clay dolls have improved into hariko dolls made with washi paper presenting three-dimensional expressions. You can still find numbers of exquisite masterpieces molded in the old wooden forms with the amazing technique, and the old dolls are being reproduced to this day.

Fukube craft is a traditional handicraft in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. When there was a smallpox epidemic long ago, one of the patients that was fed on a big yellow crucian carp caught by a villager is said to have recovered from the illness, which led to offering “Kibuna” (Yellow Crucian) to the god as a protection from illness every new year.

In Gunma where silk rasing is prosperous, cats were regarded highly as mouse catchers, as mice are silkworms’ predators, and the farmers appreciated cat pictures. “Maneki-neko” or a hariko cat, made in the same way as Daruma (Tumbling Doll) which was in production back then, was displayed as a mouse deterrent, and started to be accompanied by prayers for business luck and to bring in customers, which continues today.
Maneki-neko comes in two types of figures; it is said that one with a raised right paw attracts money, while one with a raised left paw brings in customers.

At the time of the establishment in 1864, it was a wholesale store for Chiyogami (Paper with Colored Figures) and Nishikie. It ended up, however, losing the printing blocks for Chiyogami to the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923. Rising from the devastation, the owner had the apprentices reproduce about 1,000 types of printing blocks for Chiyogami, and started a new shop in Yanaka in 1942.
Hariko dogs are representative Gangu (toys) of the Edo period, and used as a talisman against evil in a delivery room to wish for childbirth to be as easy as dog birth. Today, it is also used as a delightful gift to celebrate marriage, a new building, and a shop opening as well as childbirth.

Hamamatsu-hariko, originated in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka has been produced since the early Meiji period based on the technique of the Edo period. After the founder passed away, the shop was inherited by his son and then passed from the son to the son’s younger sister, Shino, however, all the wooden blocks have been burnt down during the World War II. Nevertheless, Hamamatsu-hariko managed to survive the crisis of discontinuation and has been impressively brought back to life thanks to Shino’s extraordinary effort. Hamamatsu-hariko with vivid colors and feminine lines created by Shino was succeeded by her daughter in law, Kayoko, and currently Kayoko’s daughter, Nobue Suzuki, is engaged in the production.

Suma-hariko, started by Takenori Yoshioka in 1984, is a relatively new hariko. It has a cute shape and facial expression created with unique curves, and is also light and filled with full of humor.

Kan-kobo, Hosei Manabe’s hariko is produced in Kurashiki, Okayama. With no bubbles visible on the surface, it looks as if it was not hariko, and it has a distinctively smooth and moist texture. Keeping the quality of the Edo period in mind, he makes best efforts toward quality without omission, from materials to techniques, such as using washi paper that is an important cultural property of Okayama. He may be one of the most meticulous craftsmen in Japan.

Miyajima-hariko is bright colors and unique decorative pattern is characterized.

Tosa used to be the center of whaling in the past. “Kujira-guruma” (Car of the Whale) was originally a souvenir made by fishermen on the way back from whaling for their wives and children at home, and it was not a merchandise like it is now. Apparently, it had been regarded as a toy made by fishermen for children until 100 years ago.

These hariko toys, created of handmade Tosa washi, are colored with special paints containing Tosa shikkui (stucco). Among many other vibrant colored hariko toys, the quiet color tones of those are distinctive. There is a tiny nut inside of one of those, and it rattles pleasantly when you shake it. The nut is kept inside of the hariko in the prayer for good health without becoming ill.

Hariko toys of Okinawa used to be sold at toy stalls at “Yukka-nuhii” (May 4th on the Japanese lunar calendar) festival. This day is what we now call Children’s Day, when parents buy children hariko toys as lucky charms to wish for their healthy growth. Many influences from China can be found in the classic hariko in patterns and colors.