Akabeko X Red Cow
12cm x 5cm x 6.5cm Paper Maché & Paint JAPAN
Akabeko is a traditional toy from the Aizu region of Japan. It is made of papier-mâché that is painted and lacquered. When I was growing up I had a mobile with a little Akabeko on it. I never forgot him. He is thought to ward off sickness. Akabeko are made by fewer than a dozen family-run workshops, and the technique has been passed on for generations. It looks simple but the process of making one takes about 10 days. His head moves, I find it mesmerizing.
Simple Everyday Anonymous Things
