This RARE vintage hand-crafted graceful dorei (土鈴, clay bell) portrays the beloved Fuji Musume, or Wisteria Maiden, one of the most iconic figures from Ōtsu-e folk art.
Fuji Musume (藤娘) – Wisteria Maiden: Dressed in a black kimono adorned with white wisteria motifs, the maiden carries a branch of blooming wisteria over her shoulder, her elegant posture and serene expression evoking timeless beauty and gentle charm. Originating from early 19th-century Ōtsu-e paintings, Fuji Musume came to symbolize feminine grace, purity, and romantic sentiment.
The character gained fame when it was adapted into the Kabuki dance “Fuji Musume”, first performed in 1826 at the Nakamura-za Theater in Edo (Tokyo). In the dance, the maiden emerges magically from a painting, representing the spirit of the wisteria flowers, and expresses her tender emotions and unspoken love through graceful movements.
The bold colors and simple yet expressive lines reflect the folk-art aesthetic of Ōtsu-e—art created for travelers and townspeople, blending decoration with storytelling. When shaken, the bell’s soft chime not only brings a sense of peace but also carries with it the centuries-old artistry and spirit of Japan’s Edo period.
