Location: Nikkō Tōshōgū Shrine 日光東照宮, Tochigi Prefecture Size: 8 x 10 x 2 cm
Pays homage to Japan’s rich samurai heritage with a design centered on the illustrious Tokugawa clan (徳川家) the ruling family of the Edo Shogunate. Displaying a Tokugawa family tree with the names of prominent shoguns, beginning with Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), the founder of the shogunate. Above the names is the triple hollyhock crest (三つ葉葵 / Mitsuba Aoi), a symbol of the Tokugawa family, rendered in a vivid red circle.
Tsuko-Tegata is a kind of wooden passport that was used in the Edo Period as an identity card for travelers when passing from region to region. They had been sold a lot in Showa period as mingei type souvenirs all over Japan. It's also a protector for safety and peace for family.
