• Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
  • Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"
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Shimoura Bentenkai - Clay doll, "Shrimp!"

By Shimoura Bentenkai

$45.00

In the old days, Japanese people used to say “live long until your backs are bent like the shrimp.” It is a lucky charm for longevity and good fortune. The fortune will go around you as the movement of a shrimp!

Each doll is hand painted and have unique characteristics.

  • Sold separately
  • Approximate measurements: 3"L x 2 1/4"W x 1 3/4"H
  • Material: clay, paper
  • Care instruction: to clean, gently wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
  • Do not hand wash or get wet.

Story:

Clay dolls from Amakusa city in Kumamoto prefecture.  Shimoura-benten-kai has started in 2013 as a group to support local businesses and traditional techniques to create the dolls.  This small town in Amakusa used to be a well known place for clay dolls and has more than 300 years of history. Unfortunately most craftsman have retired but recently a few number of women have volunteered to learn the techniques to create dolls and carry on the tradition.