Yabase Clay Doll {Manekineko Cat Black}

Yabase Clay Doll {Manekineko Cat Black}Yabase Doll figurine is a traditional folk toy from Akita. Despite facing the risk of extinction after the last artisan passed away, a preservation group formed by volunteers who love Yabase Dolls has continued to produce these clay figures using the original molds. The maneki neko literally 'beckoning cat' is a friendly and popular cat icon object believed to bring good luck to the owner. This ceramic made tiny figurine is a perfect item to have

Yabase Doll figurine is a traditional folk toy from Akita. Despite facing the risk of extinction after the last artisan passed away, a preservation group formed by volunteers who love Yabase Dolls has continued to produce these clay figures using the original molds.

The maneki-neko - literally 'beckoning cat'- is a friendly and popular cat icon/object believed to bring good luck to the owner. This ceramic made tiny figurine is a perfect item to have around you as a lucky charm that will "beckon" happiness.

This listing is for a black cat, also available in white.

Each piece is carefully handcrafted and the final details are done with hand-painting, so expect slight variations to each piece. 

Material: Clay
Measurements: Approximately 6cm x 6.5cm x 10cm H
Handcrafted in Akita, Japan

ABOUT YABASE DOLLS

Yabase Doll is a traditional folk toy from Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. Yabase Dolls are simple, handmade clay figures that have been produced in the Yabase area of Akita since the mid-Edo period (1603-1867). About 90 kinds of these dolls, symbolizing good luck, have been crafted by artisans.

In 2014, the last surviving artisan, Tomo Michikawa, passed away, putting over 200 years of tradition at risk of being lost. To preserve this cultural heritage for future generations, several Yabase Doll enthusiasts established the group "Yabase-ningyo Densho no Kai" (Association for Conveying Yabase Dolls). Since then, they have created new dolls and preserved old ones.

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