Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1993-0001-0258   CAS 1993-0001-0258; Animated toy (rabbit)
Category Folk Toys
Object Name Animated toy (rabbit)
Culture Japanese
Global Region East Asia
Country Japan
State/Prov./Dist. Yamagata Prefecture
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1975
Collection Name Kadota Collection (Japanese Folk Toys)
Materials Wood; Paint; Bamboo
Description Animated toy in the form of a rabbit, carved and assembled from several pieces of wood, standing and pivoting on its hind legs, while holding a large pestle in its teeth, with which it is pounding rice paste or mochi in a mortar; The rabbit is wearing a dark green cape; Both rabbit and mortar are mounted on a rectangular wooden base; Mochi cake is eaten during the full moon, and this type of toy is often given to children at the beginning of the year to ensure their health and happiness; Japanese writing is on back of rabbit’s cape and on one side of the pestle; Shop’s name (?) and telephone number are stamped on the base in red ink.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 7.5, Width = 6.6, Length = 15.1