This expressive red papier-mâché mask represents the Kirin Shishi (麒麟獅子) a mythical lion-beast unique to the San’in region of Japan, especially in Tottori Prefecture and northern Hyōgo. This specific piece was created in 1989 (Heisei 1) by Yanagiya (柳屋), a respected folk toy workshop led at the time by the second-generation artisans Tanaka Kinji (田中謹二) and Tanaka Miyako (宮子).
The Kirin Shishi is central to a traditional lion dance that dates back to the early Edo period. First performed at Inaba Tōshōgū Shrine in Tottori in the 17th century, the dance became a popular sacred ritual across regional festivals — from the First Horse Day (初午) in February to the grand shrine festivals in spring and autumn. The kirin (mythical creature) is usually shown with a single horn, as seen here, and is often accompanied by a red-faced Shōjō trickster character during parades.
This toy-size version was inspired by real lion heads used in performances, which were traditionally carved from paulownia wood (kiri). However, earlier toy versions were crafted in pine or cedar, until the first-generation Yanagiya artisan Tanaka Tatsunosuke began making them in papier-mâché from 1955 (Shōwa 30).
This charming 1989 reproduction retains those playful origins. Pull the string on the back and the movable jaw opens and closes, mimicking the dance. Its vibrant red color, humorous expression, and movable mouth make it both a nostalgic regional toy and a cultural artifact.
