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Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
Prosperity in business, safety in the home. Kagawa's traditional craft, "Tai Folk Crafts Paper Tiger."
The paper tigers are made by Tai Mingei in Mitoyo city.
The paper tigers made by Tai Tsuyako, who is the fifth generation of her generation, have bold eyebrows and long whiskers, but also large, round eyes, giving them a somewhat adorable expression.
It is said that paper tigers became popular when the Chinese worship of the Tiger King was introduced to Japan. There is a story about tigers that goes "a thousand miles and returns a thousand miles," which represents the tiger's powerful energy and strong feelings for family and children. Based on this story, there is a custom of displaying paper tigers in homes in the Sanuki region as auspicious ornaments that bring prosperity in business and safety in the home.
Hariko is made by pasting old books and other old paper onto a mold using wheat flour glue. Once the shape is complete, it is removed from the mold and the outside is coated with "gofun." "Gofun" is made from crushed oyster shells, and becomes very hard when dry. This traditional method ensures that Tai's hariko remains strong and does not collapse even though it is hollow inside.
The painted chalk powder is then dried and scraped until it is smooth. Then, finally, the work of coloring and drawing expressions can begin. This takes a lot of time because there is a drying process each time.
Although it is a traditional paper tiger, it has changed slightly over the years.
Recently, he has been trying his hand at making the game character "Slowpoke" and original paper mache for companies. Taking into consideration modern home conditions, he has prepared 12 different sizes for just the bouncing head paper mache. There are also small ones of about 15cm, so you should be able to find a place for them even if you live in an apartment.
I bought one too. It is said to be a good idea to display it all year round, regardless of the festival, as it is meant to pray for the happiness of your family and ward off evil spirits.
"Tai Folk Crafts" Paper Tiger. We visited the workshop to see how it is actually made.
I couldn't find it even using a map app, but I finally found it in a field!
Currently, it is made by two people. The paper that is pasted onto the mold is from old books.
The paper is layered and dried, then removed from the mold and coated with chalk powder. It is then scraped off to make it smooth, a meticulous process done by hand.
The straw is skewered onto bundles of straw and dried in the sun.
The base is paper, so it's not heavy, but it's very hard and sturdy. And it's hollow inside.
The larger ones have wooden supports. The largest ones are about 1 meter tall and can withstand up to 50 kg. Even adults can straddle them!
The paper tiger made by the fifth generation owner, Tsuyako Tai, has the same dignified eyebrows and beard, but its large eyes give it a certain charm. It is said that facial expressions reflect the times, and that in modern times, people prefer calm and cute faces that wish for a peaceful world.
There are also small ones that fit in your hand. The Kubifuri Hariko dolls are available in 12 different sizes. They have been increasing the number of sizes to meet the needs.
"Yadon" is a popular character in a game app. The name is a pun on the words "udon" and "Yadon", and is a collaboration with Kagawa Prefecture. "Paper Mache Yadon" is one of the many collaboration goods that have been produced.
I also put a paper tiger in my house. I'm very pleased with the way it looks, with its curved belly and plump, round feet.
"Kagawa Product Center Ritsurin-an" - See, choose, and buy popular souvenirs and traditional crafts!
Kagawa Products Center Ritsurin-an is a shop where you can see souvenirs and traditional crafts from Kagawa.
Ritsurin Garden is the largest daimyo garden in Japan among all the parks designated as special national scenic spots. At the entrance to the park, you can stop by the Kagawa Products Center Ritsurin-an without entering the park.
The warm wooden interior of the store sells Kagawa's specialty products and traditional crafts. You can see a variety of things at once, so it's definitely a shop worth stopping by for a shopping trip.
"Kagawa lacquerware" has become popular in recent years, with modern and stylish series using colorful lacquer and small plates selling well. Gloves from Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture, which boasts a 90% share of Japan's glove production, were also on sale. I was able to discover a new side of Kagawa that I had not known before.
They also sell the local specialty "shoyu-mame" (soybean paste in soy sauce), Shodoshima's "olive oil," Sanuki udon noodles, and chicken on the bone. This shop has everything, from general goods to snacks, alcohol, and fresh food.
If you are looking for souvenirs from Kagawa Prefecture or visiting Ritsurin Garden, be sure to stop by Ritsurin-an.
A large curtain hangs at the Kagawa Products Center Ritsurin-an. The curtain is painted with Sanuki nori dyeing, a traditional Kagawa craft.
Ritsurin Garden was the garden of the Matsudaira clan, the feudal lords of Takamatsu, and is a feudal lord's garden with 400 years of history. Next to the east gate is Ritsurin-an.
Many of the crafts in Kagawa Prefecture can be seen here. "Takamatsu Hariko" is a local toy that has been passed down in Kagawa for a long time. The red kimono Hariko in the photo is one of the most famous, "Hoko-san." It is a doll of a girl with a simple and gentle expression, and is loved by many people.
You can also see a lot of Kagawa lacquerware, such as wooden cups with colored lacquer.
Higashikagawa City is said to be where 90% of gloves are produced in Japan. Here you can find a wide variety of gloves produced in the prefecture, from leather gloves to UV-resistant gloves.
There was also a paper tiger made by Tai Folk Crafts. There were also many other paper and wood crafts on display.
You can also buy souvenirs here. These are Kagawa's specialty "Shoyu Mame" (soybeans in soy sauce). The fluffy texture will have you coming back for more.
Dried fava beans are roasted and simmered in soy sauce and sugar to create a sweet and spicy dish. It has a texture similar to chestnuts and a taste similar to the sauce used in mitarashi dango.
A wide selection of Kagawa's famous products. This is Wasanbon. It's a small souvenir that keeps well, so it's a popular one.
Other items on offer include Shodoshima soy sauce, olive products, udon noodles, sweets, sake, and fresh produce.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
