【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 An impressive, extra-large Japanese papier-mâché tiger from the Showa period, traditionally known as Sanuki Hariko Tora. Originating from the Mitoyo area of Kagawa Prefecture, this colourful folk art piece is a striking example of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. In Japanese culture, the tiger symbolises courage, strength, protection and good fortune. These handcrafted tigers were traditionally displayed during Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku) and seasonal celebrations to wish children good health, success and a prosperous future. They were also cherished as protective ornaments believed to ward off misfortune. The tiger features a vibrant yellow-orange body with bold black stripes, a dramatically raised tail and an expressive open mouth with gold-coloured teeth. Its lively face is enhanced by large painted eyes and distinctive white fibre whiskers, while a decorative green and gold brocade accent adds an elegant finishing touch. A particularly charming feature is its traditional bobble-head mechanism. The head is suspended inside the body by a metal hook and counterweight, allowing it to sway gently with movement. Its substantial size, cheerful expression and vivid colours make it an eye-catching decorative piece and a wonderful example of Japanese folk art. The tiger is in very good vintage condition, retaining its bright colours and attractive appearance. The bobble-head mechanism moves smoothly. There is minor wear to the undersides of the feet and some ageing to the tape securing the counterweight. No significant tears, dents or structural damage are apparent. Please examine the photographs carefully for details of its condition. ※Important: For Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco and Portugal, orders of €150 or less cannot currently be shipped due to the new €3 customs duty/IOSS issue. There is no confirmed resumption date. Please do not bid unless you are prepared to wait. Orders over €150 are not affected. Dimensions: approx. H 38 cm W 16 cm D 75 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information, description, and images before placing your bid. The items shown in the photos are what is included in the lot. If anything shown as included is missing upon delivery, please contact us immediately. ・Some display stands or other items in the photos may be photography props and are not included in the sale. Please read the description carefully to confirm what is included. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!