This is a version of Deco Yashiki's Daruma with a Masu (box) to pray for good fortune. A mallet of Daikoku is engraved on the masu.
Hariko is one of the plastic arts technique which forms papier-mache by attaching pieces of paper to frames made of bamboo or wood or molds made of clay.
This is a Miharu Hariko. Each piece is carefully made by hand in the town of Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Miharu Hariko has been made since the Edo period. There were many kinds of dolls, including large and small darumas, various masks, Ebisu and Daikoku dolls, Chinese zodiac dolls, Hina dolls, and dolls based on Kabuki and Ukiyoe woodblock prints. There are many types of dolls. Especially in the Edo period (1603-1868), Miharu Hariko made use of paper as a material to create very dynamic and delicate dolls.
A cute traditional Japanese doll. Also makes a great gift.