This RARE traditional folk toy from Kumamoto Prefecture is known as おばけの金太 (Obake no Kinta)—“Ghost Kinta.” Crafted by the esteemed Atsuga Ningyōten (厚賀人形店), this doll features a vivid red face with a mischievous expression and movable tongue and eyes, topped with a pointed black hat and mounted on a wooden pedestal. It belongs to the category of 肥後の伝統玩具 (Higo Dentō Gangu), or traditional toys of the Higo region (modern-day Kumamoto).
The character Kinta is rooted in a local legend from the Meiji period. According to the story, a castle craftsman named Kinta was known for his humor and wit. When faced with a serious illness, he reportedly joked that he would return as a ghost and continue to make people laugh. After his death, red-faced dolls like this one—featuring the ghostly persona of Kinta—were created to bring cheer and ward off misfortune. In Kumamoto, the doll is sometimes affectionately called 「目くり出し人形」(mekuridasu ningyō), or “rolling-eye doll,” for its expressive and animated look.
This version is labeled as a Kumamoto Traditional Craft (熊本県伝統工芸品), as shown by the official sticker on its base. It is also noted in the included vintage paper leaflet that this item was once offered to the imperial household and to Meiji Shrine as a tribute, highlighting its cultural significance.
A charming and whimsical piece of local folklore, Obake no Kinta serves as both a delightful collectible and a symbol of Kumamoto's rich storytelling tradition.
