This Shigaraki ware raccoon dog figurine is an iconic symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Japan.
The tradition began in the early Meiji era with Tetsuzō Fujiwara, founder of “Rian.” While training at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu kilns, he dreamed of raccoons drumming their bellies under the moonlight by a riverbank. Inspired by this vision, he returned to Shigaraki and began creating raccoon dog figurines, establishing a beloved tradition that continues to this day.
