Akabeko

A talisman of good fortune in the shape of a cow, made in Fukushima Prefecture using a Japanese-style papier-mâché technique.

£58 per item

Akabeko are made by craftspeople in Fukushima Prefecture using the Aizu hariko (papier-mâché) method, whereby a carved wooden mould is wrapped in washi (Japanese paper) which has been soaked in a specially prepared mix of glue and chalk. They are a talisman of good fortune and health and a symbol of the Aizu region.

Since the hariko is made of paper, it is fragile and will dent if pressed hard.

Avoid contact with moisture.

Avoid pulling the head as this will cause it to detach.

Colours may fade if left in direct sunlight.

As each of these items is handcrafted, the shapes and patterns may differ slightly from those shown in the photos.

Size: L18.5 cm x W8.0 cm x H11.0 cm

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The story...

The story of Akabeko cow

Akabeko 赤べこ is a folk toy with a 400-year history, made of hariko (papier-mâché) in the shape of a cow with a bobbing head. From Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture, in the northeastern Tōhoku region of Japan, its name translates as ‘red cow’ in the local dialect (aka is ‘red’ and beko is ‘cow’).

Read the full story
The story of Akabeko cow