”Mingei gangu (folk craft)” – traditional toys and ornaments that have been made in Japan for a long, long time.
This time, I’d like to share with you my craft recommendation from my favorite region, Tohoku.

Otaka Poppo – a traditional toy from Yamagata Prefecture. It’s made by carving wood using a single knife. The fluffy-looking tail is really cute.

Akabeko – A papier-mâché charm from Fukushima Prefecture that is said to ward off bad luck. It has a wobbly neck. It’s said to be based on a story in which a cow fell ill in place of people so that no one would get sick.

Hanamaki Doll – a clay doll from Iwate Prefecture. They are one of the “three major clay dolls of Tohoku”. They have clear, bold colors and a simple, rustic charm.

In snowy Tohoku, there is also a story that, long ago, when people couldn’t farm in winter, they made handicrafts at home to earn a little extra income.

If any of these catch your interest, try searching with keywords like “mingei” or “kyōdo gangu”.