A vintage omiyage kokeshi features a fisher girl sitting cheerfully on a decorative waraji (woven straw sandal). A delightful folk toy from Ayameike (あやめ池) a once-beloved amusement area in Nara Prefecture.
The kokeshi doll is hand-painted with a sweet expression, dressed in a traditional outfit and wearing a woven straw kasa (hat). She sits with her fishing rod extended, as if mid-catch, beside a tiny jug and greenery, evoking a peaceful rural scene. The base of the display is formed from a dark, lacquered waraji sandal, which serves both as a clever platform and a symbolic nod to traditional Japanese travel and pilgrimage.
The woven straw sandals are known as waraji, historically worn by farmers, monks, and travelers in Japan. Waraji are symbolic of hard work, perseverance, and safe travels. Decorative elements include shiny blue foil streamers and mossy textures that suggest water and vegetation, enhancing the impression of a serene moment by a riverbank. The attached wooden tag reads “あやめ池” (Ayameike), affirming its origin as a souvenir from the now-defunct amusement park and boating pond that was a beloved destination through the Shōwa era.
