✳︎ Product Name: Obata Clay Figurine - Dragon in Clouds ✳︎ Craftsman: Gengo Hosoi ✳︎ Production: Mid-Showa period ~ ✳︎ Condition: No original box or leaflet / Generally good condition / Please note that there may be some minor damage due to the item being pre-owned. ✳︎ Size: (approx.) Height 13cm x Length 16cm x Width 6.5cm (Dragon in Clouds) Since ancient times, it has been said that dragons stir up clouds, become tornadoes, and ascend to heaven. The theme of this work is "Ryūgin Unki / When the dragon roars, clouds arise." When a capable adult speaks, the innocent natural world will naturally move in accordance with it. This work embodies the idea that one must be like a dragon, a person of great enlightenment who has the power to make the natural world move of its own accord. This is a traditional Year of the Dragon decoration, born from the imagery of (Cloud Dragon) and (Cloud Dragon Pattern), which have been passed down in China since ancient times. In China, the origin of Buddhism and a neighboring country, the dragon has been the symbol of the emperor since ancient times, and it holds the highest position as a sacred beast. The existence of the dragon in China was transmitted to ancient Japan, influencing and being depicted in various decorations. Omi's Obata clay figurines are representative folk toys of Shiga Prefecture. Made in Gobosho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, the traditional clay figurines are made with the back left unpainted. The history of Obata dolls began in the 18th century when Anbei, who learned the production method of Fushimi dolls made in Kyoto Fushimi, started making them as souvenirs in Obata. Also known as Obata Ningyo, it is the only remaining clay figurine in Omi. Boasting a history of over 300 years, Obata clay figurines are called "Obata Deco" and have been passed down through the Hosoi family from the first generation to the current 9th generation, Gengo Hosoi. This is a very fine work, characterized by vivid primary colors and glitter, especially the coloring in pink, and it was also adopted for the designs of New Year's stamps and New Year's postcards. ⤵︎ Search terms below #FolkToys Mingei (Folk Craft) Year of the Dragon MUJI Lucky Can Good Fortune Bernard Leach Peasant Art BRUTUS Souvenir Collection Sōetsu Yanagi Keisuke Serizawa Tei Yamamoto Twelve Zodiac Signs Chunichi Dragons Year of the Dragon Decoration Zodiac Decoration #YearOfTheDragon folktoy casabrutus Ryūgin Unki (Dragon's Roar, Clouds Arise) Ryūshō (Soaring Dragon) Ryūtō (Dragon Soaring) Ryūyaku (Dragon Leaping) Ryūgin (Dragon's Roar) Ryūi (Dragon's Majesty) Ryūshi (Dragon's Appearance) Ryūgan (Dragon's Face) Ryūga (Dragon's Carriage) Ryūki (Dragon's Flag) Ryūban (Dragon Coiling) Ryūsen (Dragon Submerging) Ryūju (Dragon Pearl) Shōryū (Auspicious Dragon) Zuiryū (Auspicious Dragon) Kinryū (Golden Dragon) Seiryū (Azure Dragon) Shōryū (Ascending Dragon) Reiryū (Spiritual Dragon) Ryūyaku Koto (Dragon Leaping, Tiger Soaring) Ryūtō Koyo (Dragon Soaring, Tiger Leaping) Ryūgin Koshō (Dragon's Roar, Tiger's Howl) Ryūjō Koji (Dragon's Head, Tiger's Gaze) Seiryū Kakko (Vibrant Dragon, Lively Tiger) Garyō Hōsu (Crouching Dragon, Phoenix Chick) Hanryō Fūhō (Clinging to the Dragon, Attaching to the Phoenix) Garyō Tentei (Dotting the Dragon's Eyes) Hiryō Jōun (Flying Dragon Riding the Clouds) Unryū Seika (Cloud Dragon, Well Frog) Ryūtō Dabi (Dragon's Head, Snake's Tail) Gunryō Mushu (A Group of Dragons Without a Head) Ryūkan Hōzui (Dragon's Liver, Phoenix Marrow) Ryūku Hōsu (Dragon Colt, Phoenix Chick) Ryūshō Hōshi (Dragon's Chapter, Phoenix's Appearance) Koshō Ryūgin (Tiger's Howl, Dragon's Roar) Jin Chū No Ryū (Dragon Among Men) Hitsū Ryūja (Brushstrokes Like a Dragon and Snake) Hyakuryū No Chi (Wisdom of a Hundred Dragons) Ryūban Koku (Dragon Coiling, Tiger Crouching)