Since it was introduced to Japan, as early as the 8th century, the lion dance has been celebrated everywhere and is probably the most popular traditional performance in the archipelago. In its evolution, the lion has lost its naturalistic characteristics and has become a creature with increasingly fantastic features: the version created in the Nikita temple of Saga, which inspired these figurines, features a pair of lions with very bright colours, green and red, which accompanied by songs and dances moves through the city, bringing strength and good omen and keeping evil spirits at bay. Likewise, these figurines are today considered good luck charms and talismans capable of bringing well-being and strength. In 1945, at the end of the war, Teruji Suzuta, celebrated textile artist, father of the living national treasure Shigeto Suzuta, began to create Nogomi figurines, referring to the tradition of the Kashima area, in Saga prefecture. He started selling them inside the Yutoku Inari Shrine as an amulet and good luck charm and they have since become a symbol of Saga prefecture. Being handmade, they are all slightly different and some imperfections are possible. Clay, painting. Japanese art in its simplest and most essential form, to enrich your home with a precious detail. 10 cm x 10 cm x 7 cm