Location: Lake Kuzuryu 九頭竜, Hakogase, Ono, Fukui Prefecture Size: 8 x 10 x 2 cm
Lake Kuzuryu is named for a dragon called Kuzuryu that has nine heads. The name Kuzuryu is used for the river, the lake, and the dam, but there are any number of theories about the origin of the name. One such story, handed down for generations, is that in the latter half of the 9th century, an incarnation of Hakusan appeared before the assembled monks of Heisenji, and when a statue of the incarnation was set afloat on the river, a dragon with nine heads appeared, accepted the statue as an offering, and carried it downriver, ultimately arriving on the shore opposite the Kurotatsu Shrine.
It has a cross knot with it, the symmetrical structure of the cross knot symbolizes harmony and balance also meanings of "connection" and "protection." The cross knot, as a decorative knot, may represent tightly tying together good wishes and prayers. Under the influence of Shintoism, tied ropes (shimenawa) and decorative knots are often seen as symbols of protection and warding off evil.
Tsuko-Tegata is a kind of wooden passport that was used in the Edo Period as an identity card for travelers when passing from region to region. They had been sold a lot in Showa period as mingei type souvenirs all over Japan. It's also a protector for safety and peace for family.
