This dorei (clay bell) represents a brightly painted Rooster, part of the beloved Nogomi Ningyō (のごみ人形) tradition, a charming regional folk craft from Saga Prefecture, particularly associated with the Nogomi Shrine area. Fashioned in a stylized, rounded form, the figure exudes a playful and rustic character that reflects the joyful essence of Japanese folk art.
Handmade and hand-painted, the bell features vivid folk-style brushwork across its body, with abstract symbols and colors that enhance its rustic charm. At 6 cm in size, it is strung with natural straw—true to the traditional materials used in Nagasaki's rural toy-making culture.
Nogomi Ningyō are clay figures passed down for generations in the areas surrounding the former Nogomi District, known for their naïve expressions and joyful forms. These figures often take the shape of zodiac animals or local creatures and are used as protective charms or children's toys.
