Arts and crafts

Hariko-no-tora Hariko-no-tora is a tiger doll whose head swings when touched by a finger. In the Izumo area, there used to be a custom of displaying tigers for the Children's Day celebration in May, both to keep evil spirits away and to pray that the children grow to be healthy. In the late nineteenth century, the design of the doll elaborated to the colorful and humorous one that you see these days. Takahashi Kumaichi, a craftsman, produced the original design, based on a piece of work made by a master craftsman, Arakawa Kisai. The traditional artisan-ship is still maintained at Takahashi Hariko-no-tora Honpo (0853-21-1748) in Imaichi-cho.

Ai-zome (indigo blue dyed goods) Tsutsu-gaki ai-zome is a unique method of dyeing. You put the dyeing paste in a tube, then draw a pattern by squeezing it on the cloth. The designs are mostly symbolic marks such as family crests, and its distinctive finish has a sharp contrast of deep blue and white colors. There used to be a number of dyer's shops along the Takase-gawa River, however, there is only one dyer Nagata Some Kojo (0853-21-0288) who still carries the tradition on to the present day.

Izumo-nuri (lacquer ware)

Specialties

Izumo Barbary This is a nostalgic snack, unhulled rice parched and packed in a plastic bag. Not only older people, but also people in the new generation enjoy this healthy, easy to nibble non-additive refreshment.

Sake (Japanese rice wine)

Tea