Tsuko Tegata - Toy - 2000-2010 - Japan

Quantity: 10 pieces
Material: Wood, cord, metal bells / fittings
Period: Shōwa to early Heisei era (approx.)
Motifs: Temples, shrines, samurai, oni, pilgrimage, landmarks
Total weight: 873 g
Individual sizes: approx. 6.7–12.5 cm in height (details documented per item)

This lot consists of 10 vintage Japanese “Tsūkō Tegata” wooden travel pass charms, traditionally sold as pilgrimage and sightseeing souvenirs throughout Japan during the Shōwa to early Heisei period.

Each piece is made of wood and features handwritten calligraphy, temple or place names, symbolic imagery, and traditional cords with bells or tassels. These charms were commonly purchased by travelers visiting temples, shrines, famous landscapes, and historic sites, and were often carried as good-luck talismans.

Included themes and locations:
Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines
Famous scenic spots such as Amanohashidate and Takachiho Gorge
Historical figures including Takeda Shingen
Traditional motifs such as Oni (Japanese demons) and family crests (Mitsuba Aoi – Tokugawa clan)
Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage temple (No. 6 – Tsubosaka-dera)

One charm features an embedded Japanese 5-yen “Goen” coin, symbolizing good fortune and meaningful connections. Another includes a coin-slot style design traditionally used for small offerings.

These items are no longer produced and represent a unique cross-section of Japanese folk culture, religious practice, and domestic travel history. Ideal for collectors of Japanese antiques, pilgrimage memorabilia, ethnographic objects, or interior display.