Wooden whale cart Tosa local toy (Marunodai) / Local crafts Kochi Prefecture Natural material objects Interior Nippon Store Kochi

Each product is handmade, so the color and shape may differ slightly from the product image. Whale cart (large round): Length (approx. 15 cm), Width (approx. 7 cm), Height (approx. 7 cm)

Net whaling was practiced in Tosa until 1906. There were two whaling groups, Tsuro and Ukitsu, in Muroto, and the whalers of both groups went fishing not only off the coast of Muroto Cape, but also to Kubotsu off Cape Ashizuri. It is said that whale cars and whaling boats began when whalers who went fishing far away carved the stern of their boats and made them for their children waiting at home. This toy was commercialized by Matsushita Koma Yata, who served as a hazashi (feather leader). A hazashi (feather leader) was the head of a whaling boat, and he threw a harpoon at the whale, jumped into the sea in just a loincloth, climbed onto the whale's back, and performed the dangerous task of making a slit through which the rope for transportation could be passed. A father working at the risk of his life on the far sea prays for a good catch and safety, and makes a handmade whale toy as a souvenir for his child waiting at home... The whale wheel is filled with such thoughts of a father.


Manufacturer: Tosa Folk Crafts
Size: Round Large
Brand Name: Mori Tokuzou Shoten