Inubarikō Postcard

This is a postcard featuring the Inubarikō design. *Currently, this is a composite image of the illustration. We will update it with actual product photos as soon as they are ready. *Sets with other postcards currently available are also possible. Please let us know your preference in the remarks section when ordering. Inubarikō These are paper mache toys shaped like puppies, used for the first shrine visit (Hatsumiyamairi) of a child. In the Heian period, papier-mâché boxes shaped like dogs were used as purification tools in the imperial court. This is said to be the origin of Inubarikō, which spread to the common people during the Edo period. Dogs are known as protective deities for safe childbirth, as they deliver easily and have many offspring. This is a slightly retro-feeling postcard printed with stencil printing on sturdy, off-white paper. Paper: Baum 205kg The printing may be misaligned or faded, but this is intentional and part of the production process. Please enjoy the printing variations as a unique charm. *Please refrain from ordering if you are sensitive to even minor printing discrepancies, as some misalignment is inevitable. As we use semi-water-soluble ink, colors may bleed if rubbed strongly. Please be aware of this. As these are hand-cut, the sizes may not be perfectly uniform. We appreciate your understanding. ... When sending as a New Year's card in Japan ... If you send a New Year's card using a private postcard, you can send it for 52 yen between December 15th and January 7th of the following year. However, please be sure to clearly write "年賀" (Nenga - New Year's greeting) in vermilion ink in a visible position on the front of the postcard. If you send a New Year's card using a private postcard between December 15th and January 7th of the following year without the "年賀" marking in vermilion, it will be treated as a standard postcard (62 yen) and may be delivered within the year as regular mail. Please be mindful of this. *For details, please check with the post office. Origin/Production Method Made in Japan