{"product_id":"k05083-watermelon-kokeshi-of-kurobe-suika-黒部西瓜","title":"K05083 - Watermelon Kokeshi of Kurobe Suika 黒部西瓜","description":"\u003cp\u003eRARE! A wonderfully unusual vintage omiyage kokeshi from Toyama Prefecture, created around the theme of Kurobe Suika (黒部西瓜), the celebrated watermelon of the Kurobe River region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe doll has a charming rounded form, with its body transformed into a watermelon painted in vivid green and deep black stripes. On the front is the inscription 黒部西瓜 — “Kurobe Watermelon.” Above sits a small hand-painted kokeshi head with delicate facial features and colourful decoration, giving this playful souvenir a particularly distinctive folk-art character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKurobe watermelon has a fascinating local history. Watermelons were cultivated on the Kurobe River alluvial fan in Toyama from the late 19th century, where the sandy, well-drained soil proved especially suitable. In 1909, the regional watermelon was officially given the name Kurobe Suika (黒部西瓜) after the Kurobe River. The celebrated large variety later became known as Nyūzen Jumbo Suika (入善ジャンボ西瓜) in 1982 and remains one of Toyama's best-known summer specialties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than representing one of the traditional kokeshi lineages, this piece belongs to the charming world of regional omiyage kokeshi, where local foods, landscapes and landmarks were transformed into small wooden souvenirs for travellers. Its highly specific watermelon motif makes it an especially quirky and collectible example of Japanese regional souvenir culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 2 x 2 x 3cm \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Kyo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58549306687819,"sku":"K05083","price":5.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/9746\/7723\/files\/Cover_2fd26de2-4167-43d4-8094-abcaf8670682.jpg?v=1789992680","url":"https:\/\/maisonkyo.be\/de\/products\/k05083-watermelon-kokeshi-of-kurobe-suika-%e9%bb%92%e9%83%a8%e8%a5%bf%e7%93%9c","provider":"Maison Kyo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}