Charming papier-mâché dolls infused with the spirit of the Aizu domain

InthehistoricAizuregion,expressivepapiermâchéfigureslikethe"Akabeko,"whichswaysitshead,andthe"OkiagariKoboshi,"whichrepeatedlyrightsitself,warmlywelcomestravelersTheoriginof"AizuHarikoPapiermâché"issaidtobetracedbacktoLordGamoUjisato,whoinviteddollcraftsmenfromKyototohelpprovideforlowerrankingsamuraiandpromoteindustrialrevival

The"AizuHarikoPapiermâché"arenotedfortheirbrightredcolorsandsimpleyetstrikingdecorationNotableexamplesincludethe"AizuTenjin,"enshriningSugawaranoMichizane,thegodoflearningandcalligraphy,thecharming"Akabeko"inspiredbythestrongredox,andthe"OkiagariKoboshi"withaspiritofdeterminationpackedintoitssmallframeManyofthesefiguresreflecttheuniquecustomsandbeliefsofAizu,andarecherishedasluckycharms,createdtoprayforgoodfortune,protectionfromevil,abundantharvests,andprosperousbusinessTherearealsoOkiagariKoboshifigurescreatedthroughcollaborationswithpaintings,movies,andmore,makingcollectingthevarioustypesafunandexcitingexperience