2022 Fortune Can
Share your blessings for the new year ahead with the traditional Japanese Fortune Can.
Each Fortune Can includes one of 11 lucky charms from different regions of Japan; each has its own style and hidden meaning.
Fortune Can includes:
‧ Japanese lucky charm x 1 pc
‧ Japanese lucky charm introduction leaflet x 1 pc
‧ MUJI Hong Kong discount coupon x 1 pc
11 Lucky Charms Overview
Shitakawara-yaki Clay doll Torabue Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Shitakawara-yaki originated from pottery kiln in the Tsugaru clan where ceramics were made daily. The feudal lord at that time concerned there were not enough toys in the Tsugaru region, thus ordered his people to make clay dolls during free time in winter. For the next two hundred years, a wide variety of dolls such as pigeon whistles have been made, which became the popular lucky charms of the Tsugaru region.
Sendai papier mache Tiger Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Every year in Sendai, cute bobblehead Chinese zodiac dolls are made using Japanese paper that captures the gentle texture of the paper. The 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac were used as a unit of time in ancient China to enable common people who could not read to understand the time. Many people still keep on the worship of the Chinese zodiac nowadays.
Miharu papier mache Tiger Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Simple and lovable papier mache tiger figure partially inheriting the design of the traditional "Koshidaka Tora" (a tiger doll adopted as a design of the New Year postage stamp in 1998) created at Hikojimingei, a studio in "Takashiba Deco Yashiki" production village that has been manufacturing Miharu folk toys since the Edo period. Hikojimingei is the original manufacturer of Miharu-goma (a papier mache horse doll that became the design of the first New Year postage stamp in Japan) and is also known as the originator of the Chinese zodiac papier mache doll work in Fukushima.
Kaiun Manekitora Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Taking advantage of the abundant supply of pottery clay, Seto region has produced pottery for over 1000 years and the pottery is widely known by the name of "Setomono" (literally meaning "wares from Seto"). In preparation for the New Years celebration, the Chinese zodiac figures are each created by artisans with the advanced techniques and use of white clay from around the region.
Toradoji Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture
Toradoji (meaning "a tiger child") is a folk toy from Aichi Prefecture created in tribute to Tokugawa leyasu who was born at the Hour of Tiger, on the Day of Tiger, in the Year of Tiger, according to the Chinese Zodiac. The tiger self-righting doll symbolizes leyasu's spirit of never giving up, as he is known to have endured hardship before succeeding in uniting Japan.
Osaka papier mache Magotora Kashiwabara City, Osaka Prefecture
Osaka papier0 mache dolls have been appreciated as toys for praying for the healthy growth of children since the Muromachi period. The Chougosonshiji Temple on Mount Shigi-san, which is believed to be the place where Bishamonten first appeared in Japan, used to give tiger papier mache dolls as an amulet. "Sekaiichi Fukutora" that is designed apier mache is also popular. In Osaka, people celebrate Children's Day on 5th May with a tiger papier mache doll together with a kabuto (helmet).
Kyodorei Chow Chow Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Kyodorei is a lucky charm born from Kyoto dialect. It is said that the history of Komainu (lion-dogs) dates back to ancient India, where people used to place statues of lion-dogs as guardian deities. As these lion-dogs look like Chow Chows, they make joke of themselves saying "Chau chau (Chow Chow) chau yo Komainu yo (I'm not a Chow Chow, I'm a lion-dog.)", punning on the words "Chow Chow"(dog) and "chau chau" (a Kyoto dialect which stands for "chigau" in standard Japanese meaning "no").
Kyoto ceramic doll Koban Tiger Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Kyoto ceramic dolls (Kyo-tohningyo) are, as their name implies, dolls made in Kyoto and have been popular for their varieties from those finished with rich colours, those with light-toned colours to bring out the texture of the clay, to those fired unglazed or with special glaze. The tiger sitting on a stack of gold coins has a meaning of good wealth and protection against misfortune.
Tottori Zodiac doll Tiger Tottori City, Saga Prefecture
Tottori Zodiac dolls are made of carved conifer wood. The area has long been famous for production of folk arts and handicrafts and the dolls have been produced along side the traditional Nagashibina after the World War II. This tiger doll features adorable face and modern colour.
Woodcarving Fukutora Aida Gun, Okayama Prefecture
A fortune car of Chinese zodiac animal, each handmade from Japanese cypress grown in Okayama Prefecture. Enjoy the beautiful grains and smell of wood from the forest that has been nurtured in the local climate and inherited from generation to generation. This fortune car depicting a tiger, a symbol of protection against evil, running around is believed as a lucky charm that protects you from misfortune.
Nogomi doll Tiger Bell Kashima City, Saga Prefecture
Production of these dolls was first started with a hope to revive people's hearts and bring them joy in the wake of the World War II. White tiger is known as a divine beast that keeps evil spirits away from us and this clay bell, using white tiger as a motif, is said to bring happiness throughout the year.
Terms & Conditions: Fortune Can is available while stock lasts. Stock checking and reservation are not available ‧ Coupon is randomly packed. Selection and exchange are not allowed ‧ Terms & Conditions of the discount coupon is referred to its overleaf ‧ Images are for reference only.