A vintage Japanese folk craft piece hails from the scenic Mt. Takao (高尾山), a beloved spiritual and natural retreat west of Tokyo. Handcrafted from natural wood and forest materials, the piece features a delightful scene of a small woodland tanuki peeking from the hollow of a birch-like log.
In folklore, the tanuki is known as a shapeshifter and trickster with a cheerful and carefree personality. It often disguises itself as humans or other beings, usually to play harmless pranks. Despite its mischief, the tanuki is seen as a bringer of luck and success, particularly in business.
A wooden ladder and rustic mallet lie at the base, suggesting a playful narrative of forest life or perhaps a symbolic reference to traditional Japanese folklore involving animals and tools.
The base is inscribed with the date “37.8.19,” which corresponds to August 19, 1962 (Showa 37), marking it as a nostalgic vintage piece. The kanji 高尾山下 (Takao-yamashita) confirms its origin from the foothills of Mt. Takao. These kinds of handcrafted souvenirs were commonly made and sold near mountain shrines and trail stations, capturing local charm and serving as tangible memories of pilgrimage and nature visits.
