CB267 - Bird whistle Folk Craft from Kirishima Jingū 霧島神宮
CB267 - Bird whistle Folk Craft from Kirishima Jingū 霧島神宮
This charming bird whistle 鳥笛 is a traditional Japanese folk craft associated with Kirishima Jingū 霧島神宮 , one of the most revered Shinto shrines in southern Japan, located in Kagoshima Prefecture at the foot of the Kirishima mountains.
Handcrafted in clay and painted in deep indigo blue with delicate white wing markings, the whistle takes the form of a small bird with a simple yet expressive character. Its bright yellow eyes and red accents lend it a playful warmth, while the softly weathered surface reflects the handmade nature of traditional Japanese folk toys and shrine souvenirs.
Bird whistles such as this were often sold at temples and shrines as lucky charms, children’s toys, or symbolic keepsakes from pilgrimage journeys. When filled with a small amount of water, many toribue produce a soft warbling sound resembling birdsong, connecting the object to themes of nature, celebration, and spiritual protection.
Pieces from Kirishima Jingū carry an added sense of sacred atmosphere, as the shrine itself is deeply tied to Japanese mythology and the descent of the gods (Tenson kōrin). Compact yet full of character, this folk whistle beautifully captures the nostalgic spirit of regional Japanese mingei craftsmanship.
Size: 10 x 3 x 4cm
Compartir
