The Japanese name for this exquisite Kokeshi Doll is Tatsu which means Dragon.
The Kokeshi Doll is part of a series, created by the Artist Usaburo, dedicated to
the Twelve Zodiac Signs. This Kokeshi in particular is dedicated to the Dragon Sign.
The peculiarity of this Kokeshi series is that they are of the natural color of the wood,
except for the Painted Dragon.
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The dragon is one of the legendary creatures of Japanese folklore.
Born from local stories and legends inspired by Chinese dragons and other Asian
dragons, has taken on a very important role in Japanese culture.
The shape of a dragon in Japanese culture is that of a large snake wingless but with
long claws, with a pearl or precious stone, which is the manifestation of his soul.
Some Buddhist temples are connected with dragons from Japanese mythology. Every
year in Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa, the dragon dance Kinryū-no-Mai ("Dance
of the Golden Dragon") is performed. According to tradition, dragons are carriers of good
luck, a consequence of their main qualities:
strength and dignity, but also fertility, wisdom, luck and wealth.