Inu hariko dog (inu Hariko - 犬張子)
Inu hariko is a papier-mâché dog dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). At the time it was a children toy and also a lucky present for pregnant women. Today the Inu hariko is used as a traditional good luck decoration.
Inu hariko is sometimes called koma-inu, a fierce kind of dragon-dog guarding the entrances of shinto shrines. Inu hariko could have a common origin as it's the guardian of children and might have lost its fierce characteristics when it became a toy.
Small statue of Inu hariko
Ningyoyaki (small cake stuffed with sweet red bean paste) in the shape of an inu hariko
Hashiokis linked to this subject :
