Traditionally crafted in the small city of Takayama, these dolls are hand-painted using woodblocks. The color is fixed to the raw cotton at high temperature and each doll is then filled in with rice hulls and hand-sewn, so that every one of them is genuinely unique. This doll is part of the Japanese zodiac serie and depicts a horse, the seventh of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in Japanese zodiac: its natural element is fire, thus, it is commonly associated with dynamism, strength, and persistence; however, it is also connected to restlessness. The fire element provides warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity. Cotton and rice hulls. A wonderful doll, an exquisite example of Japanese craftsmanship. 11 cm x 11 cm x 5 cm