This is a charming vintage Hakata ningyō (博多人形) style dorei (clay bell) featuring a sumo wrestler boy figure, crafted in Fukuoka, Japan. The figure has a delightful round form with a cheerful expression, painted in soft pink tones with delicate facial features. He wears a vivid red mawashi (sumo belt), adorned with the gold kanji character 力 (chikara), meaning “strength” or “power,” symbolizing resilience and vitality.
Hakata ningyō (博多人形) are traditional Japanese clay dolls that originated in the Hakata district of Fukuoka, located on the island of Kyushu. Their history dates back to the 17th century during the Edo period, when local artisans began crafting simple, unglazed clay figures for use in festivals and religious rituals.
This doll also functions as a clay bell, with a gentle jingle sound when shaken, and carries a traditional green “Hakata Ningyō” certification sticker at the base. Hakata dolls are known for their unglazed, hand-painted surfaces and detailed craftsmanship, traditionally made from local clay and representing figures from folklore, everyday life, and festivals.
This piece blends the symbolic strength of sumo with the innocence of childhood, making it not only a folk art collectible but also a talisman of good fortune and health.
