This traditional Tsuko-Tegata (通行手形) wooden plaque is a distinctive travel charm from Gokayama (五箇山) in Toyama Prefecture, a region renowned for its historic mountain villages and preserved folk culture.
The front is boldly inscribed with 越中 五箇山 (Etchū Gokayama), referencing the old provincial name of Toyama and the remote Gokayama area, celebrated for its UNESCO-listed gasshō-zukuri farmhouses. The accompanying illustration depicts one of these steep-roofed thatched houses, alongside a figure in traditional attire, evoking the region’s enduring rural heritage and craftsmanship.
On the reverse, large calligraphy reads 通行手形, reaffirming its symbolic role as a travel pass, while a red seal and smaller inscriptions add an official, nostalgic touch reminiscent of Edo-period permits.
What makes this piece particularly unique is its hidden bell mechanism—instead of hanging externally, a small bell is enclosed within the wooden body, visible through the circular opening on the side. This clever design allows for a soft, subtle sound when moved, maintaining the traditional belief that the bell wards off misfortune and protects the traveler.
