FUKUSHIMA -- The rat issue is reaching its peak in a small town in Fukushima Prefecture. No, not the infestation kind. This is the conclusion of local craftwork being prepared to ring in the Year of the Rat on the Chinese zodiac in 2020.
The Nozawa Mingei, a local crafts association in the town of Nishiaizu, has been hard at work preparing the papier mache figures, using the traditional "hariko" molding technique passed down through the centuries.
With a base of white and gold, a total of 21 different rat figures painted with cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and other motifs will be available.
Among the most popular are the bobble-head type, such as that used for the region's most famous product, the Akebeko red cow.
The 34 craftspersons who hand paint and construct the figures, turn out about 800 per day. By the end of the year, about 50,000 will be produced.
Last month, the prefecture was among those in the Kanto region devastated by Typhoon No. 19, and residents are looking for better times ahead.
"We have included a prayer for happiness next year," said Minako Hayakawa, 54, director of the Nozawa Mingei, adding the group will be satsified "if people's spirits are lifted even a little when they see the hariko figures."
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