※This article was published at March 2015.※
Youtube Video:
Today, I’m introducing a cute little gift that was given to me by a friend who travelled the Northeast of Japan.
This charming object is called Okiagari Koboshi (起き上がり小法師)!
These cute objects originated in the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture (approximately 300km northeast of Tokyo).
What makes them very charming is that even if they fall over to one side, they return back to their upright position!
From a technology point of view, this is because the weight is distributed using various metals so that gravity always pulls the decoration back to its normal position.
This symbolises the spirit of Nanakorobi-yaoki (七転八起), or “falling over seven times, but waking up the eight time”.
This is a much admired trait in the Northeast, and Japan in general, which has been struck by multiple natural disasters in the past.
These were given as gift at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference held in Tokyo after the Great East Japan earthquake, as a symbol of recovery.
You can find these most commonly in the Northeast of Japan – they’re petite size makes them an excellent gift to pack for your family and friends at home!
In Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, you will likely find them in department stores – ask the staff for availability.
For my favourite type of Okiagari-koboshi, see: http://www.teco-llc.net/product/tetscco.html
Youtube Video:
Today, I’m introducing a cute little gift that was given to me by a friend who travelled the Northeast of Japan.
This charming object is called Okiagari Koboshi (起き上がり小法師)!
These cute objects originated in the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture (approximately 300km northeast of Tokyo).
What makes them very charming is that even if they fall over to one side, they return back to their upright position!
From a technology point of view, this is because the weight is distributed using various metals so that gravity always pulls the decoration back to its normal position.
This symbolises the spirit of Nanakorobi-yaoki (七転八起), or “falling over seven times, but waking up the eight time”.
This is a much admired trait in the Northeast, and Japan in general, which has been struck by multiple natural disasters in the past.
These were given as gift at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference held in Tokyo after the Great East Japan earthquake, as a symbol of recovery.
You can find these most commonly in the Northeast of Japan – they’re petite size makes them an excellent gift to pack for your family and friends at home!
In Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, you will likely find them in department stores – ask the staff for availability.
For my favourite type of Okiagari-koboshi, see: http://www.teco-llc.net/product/tetscco.html
Comments