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Traditional Craft—Akabeko Painting

Akabeko are small red figurines of cows or oxen. They were created as playthings and good-luck charms for children more than 400 years ago and are now a symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Akabeko (lit., “red cow”) are made of papier-mâché, with an elongated neck fitting into a hole in the cow’s body. The long neck allows the head to move up and down, giving the akabeko its characteristic head-bobbing motion.

There are several theories about the origins of akabeko, but one of the most popular comes from Enzoji Temple in the Aizu region. Residents used cattle to help transport heavy materials when they were building the temple circa 807. A mysterious “red” cow (probably a brown cow) suddenly appeared and began leading the other animals, working tirelessly until the task was completed. The grateful people erected statues of the cow in the temple grounds, and over the years akabeko became associated with good health and fortune.

A symbol of good fortune

When Gamo Ujisato (1556–1595) was appointed lord of the Aizu region in 1590, he explored ways to create new sources of income for his samurai. After hearing the story of the akabeko at the temple, he invited artisans to create small toys based on the red cow and establish a toy-making industry in the region. Around this time, smallpox broke out in Japan. It was thought that children with akabeko toys were less likely to catch the disease, which boosted their popularity as a good-luck charm. Red has traditionally been the color of good fortune and protection against ill luck in Japan, so it is possible that the color of akabeko led to this association.

Akabeko are still handmade today and are one of Aizu-Wakamatsu’s best-known folkcrafts. The craftsperson soaks Japanese washi paper in a mixture of glue and chalk and then wraps it around a wooden mold to create the cow. When the paper is dry, they split the cow in half to remove it from the mold, then rejoin the two pieces again using more layers of paper. The head and neck are attached in the hollow body with a string.

Hands-on workshops give visitors the opportunity to try painting their own cow for a one-of-a-kind souvenir. In recent years, these workshops, which are suitable for all ages, have become popular with school groups and visitors. Ready-made versions of the cows can be found in gift shops throughout the city.

傳統工藝品「赤牛」

「赤牛」是小牛或公牛模樣的紅色小玩偶。400多年前，它們被當作兒童玩具或御守似的吉祥物，現在已成了會津若松的象徵。赤牛用紙糊製而成，長長的脖子從牛身穿出，搖搖晃晃的牛頭是它最大的特徵。

關於赤牛的起源眾說紛紜，但最廣為流傳的版本是源自會津地區的圓藏寺。根據傳說，大約在807年，當地居民在建造寺廟時使用牛來幫助運輸重物。有一天，突然了出現神秘的紅牛（可能是棕色），牠開始帶領牛群並不知疲倦地工作，直到任務完成。心存感激的人們在寺院裡豎立了赤牛的雕像，從此赤牛逐漸被視為健康與好運的象徵。

好運的象徵

1590年，蒲生氏鄉（1556-1595）成為會津領主。他在思考如何增加家臣們收入來源時，在圓藏寺聽到了赤牛的故事。於是，他讓工匠們以赤牛為原型創作了赤牛小玩具，並在會津開創了玩具製造產業。那時，日本正流行天花，人們相信擁有赤牛玩具的兒童，比較不容易染到天花，因此赤牛成了大受歡迎的吉祥物。日本自古認為紅色是吉利的顏色，能驅除惡運，或許也是赤牛的顏色使人們有了那樣的聯想。

赤牛是會津若松最著名的民間工藝品之一，現在仍然以手工製作為主。工匠們先將膠水和胡粉攪拌均勻，把日本和紙浸泡其中後取出，繞到木製模具上，製作出牛的形狀。等和紙乾了以後，工匠們把牛切成兩半，取出模具後，再用多層紙把切開的兩半黏在一起，最後用繩子把牛頭和脖子連接到中空的牛身上。

在手作工作坊中，遊客可以親手為赤牛上色，創作獨一無二的紀念品。近年來，這種適合所有年齡層的手工作坊，深受學生團體和遊客的喜愛。也可以在會津若松各地的紀念品商店，購買現成的赤牛。

传统工艺品“赤牛”

“赤牛”是小牛或公牛模样的红色小玩偶。400多年前，它们是一种儿童玩具或吉祥物，现在已成为会津若松的象征。赤牛用纸糊制而成，脖子细长，牛头从牛身中伸出，可上下左右不停摇摆。

关于赤牛的起源众说纷纭，最流行的说法是其源自会津地区的圆藏寺。大约在807年，当地居民在建造寺庙时使用牛来搬运重物。突然有一天，出现了一头神秘的红牛（可能是棕色），它一牛当先勤奋苦干，直到任务完成。心存感激的人们在寺院里竖起了赤牛的雕像，从此赤牛即被视为健康与好运的象征。

好运的象征

1590年蒲生氏乡(1556-1595)成为会津领主，他在摸索如何增加家臣们的收入来源时，在圆藏寺听到了赤牛的故事。于是，他让工匠们以赤牛为原型创作赤牛小玩具，并在会津兴起了玩具制造产业。此时，日本正流行天花，人们相信拥有赤牛玩具的儿童不太容易感染天花，这让它成为一种倍受推崇的吉祥物。日本自古认为红色是吉利之色，能驱除厄运，或许正是赤牛的颜色才让人们有了如此的联想。

赤牛是会津若松最著名的民间工艺品之一，现在仍是手工制作。工匠先将胶水和白垩粉搅拌均匀，将日本和纸浸泡其中后取出，缠裹到木制模具上，制作出牛的形状。当和纸干了之后，他们将牛一分为二，取出模具，再用多层和纸将切开的两瓣粘合到一起，最后用绳子把牛头连同脖子系到中空的体内。

在手作工作坊中，来访者可以尝试亲手为自己的赤牛上色，创作一个独一无二的纪念品。近年来，这些适合所有年龄段的手工作坊深受学生团体和游客喜爱。当然，你也可以在会津若松各处的纪念品商店购买现成的赤牛。