This ceramic Shōfuku Eto (招福干支) figure represents the Year of the Rabbit and was issued as a commemorative lucky charm (縁起物) by Kogane Shrine (小金神社) in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. The simple, rounded white rabbit form is accented with a single red character 寿 ("kotobuki"), meaning longevity or congratulations, symbolizing wishes for a long, prosperous life.
In Japanese folklore, the rabbit is a gentle, auspicious creature associated with peace, safety, and hopeful leaps forward. It represents an ideal time to begin new endeavors or personal growth. The rabbit’s nimble leap is seen as a symbol of progress and rising fortune.
The figure from Kogane Shrine, a historically significant Shinto shrine known from the Heian-period Engishiki shrine register. The name "Kogane" (小金) literally means "little gold," and the shrine has long been associated with wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Nestled in a peaceful wooded district of Seto—famed for its ceramics—the shrine continues to be a beloved site where locals pray for health, household safety, and financial well-being.
This rabbit figure thus serves not only as a zodiac ornament, but as a spiritually imbued omamori (protective charm), connecting contemporary folk tradition with centuries of regional faith and artistry.
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Size: 9 x 4 x 5.5cm
