Vintage Kaga Hachiman “Daruma” Nakajima Menya - Kanazawa Japan

Some light wear, see photos. Video shows it is a "rattle". Hachiman-Okiagari doll, one of the oldest locally-made toys in the northern part of Japan. It is given to newly weds, at the birth of a child or as a New Years gift and to congratulate on recovery from illness or misfortune. It symbolizes the quality of perseverance since the doll itself can fall over but stand right back up (okiagari). It is made of a light ceramic and all hand painted with vibrant colors over an orange-red. This cute ceramic handpainted round doll is also one of Kanazawa's traditional crafts. "Kaga" comes from the name of the area, which used to be called the Kaga Domain. "Hachiman" when written in Kanji (with Chinese characters), also can be read Yahata (the name of a particular god in Japan and the shrine where they worship that god). "Okiagari" means to get up or wake up. Hence, the words put together mean "A doll that wakes up made in the Kaga region for the Hachiman god". This traditional craft found in Kanazawa is gifted to those who are expecting a baby to wish that the baby will grow healthily. The reason why they give this doll is because this doll can wake up after its been pushed over, therefore, it always rises after falling, and hence means that you can come over any difficulties and will grow to become better and stay strong. Sometimes the doll is gifted to a couple that just got married or even to wish someone to get better soon.