Japanese Vintage Hariko no Tora Traditional Papier-mâché Bobble Head Tiger
Terrifying vintage Japanese Hariko no Tora Papier-mâché nodding head tiger. Has a lovely face and would make a incredible statement piece. 1950/60’s, one chip to lacquer on ear and inside back of neck but other than that in beautiful condition for its age, has been store very well. Behind to Head 33cm. Height including tail 37cm. Height not including tail 27cm. Please check out my other listings for more Japanese vintage, retro and antique bits. Originally the Hariko no Tora papier-mâché tiger came from overseas through trade with China as a traditional craft, but it is now designated as a traditional craft in Kagawa Prefecture. In China the tiger is regarded as a messenger of God. It was believed that in order to have a healthy body, one needed to use tiger bones for medicinal purposes as well as amulets. It was said that the in the Edo period medicine that treated and worked to fight off cholera was a pill containing the bones of the tiger’s head named “Tiger Head Killer Orpiment”. After a cholera outbreak in Osaka during the Edo period, amulets of “Tiger-heads” and Papier-mâché tigers were freely distributed around the city. This possibly led to the custom of displaying Hariko no Tora at the Boys Festival in Kansai – which is now known as childrens day. As a sacred deity or amulet familys would display these Hariko no tora in their houses as a guardian against illness and the hope of the healthy upbringing of their children. The saying Paper tiger is also thought to have originated from Hariko no tora dolls. The item “Japanese Vintage Hariko no Tora Traditional Papier-mâché Bobble Head Tiger” is in sale since Tuesday, June 1, 2021. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian/Oriental Antiques\Japanese\Other Japanese”. The seller is “ensoretro” and is located in Kyoto . This item can be shipped to all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, United States, Canada, Australia.
- Region of Origin: Japanese
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Product: Figurine
- Age: Post-1940
- Primary Material: Paper Mache & Plaster
- Original/Repro: Vintage Original