Okiagari Roly-poly Doll - Ninja

The ingenious Ninja
Ninjas served as mercenaries throughout Japanese history, particularly in the 15th century. They used a wide range of techniques to weaken their enemies: espionage, sabotage, reconnaissance, guerrilla warfare, and more. They were also masters of many weapons, such as swords, shuriken or throwing stars,poisons and bombs. Their principles were directly opposed to the samurais. These mighty warriors were trained in martial arts and, according to ancient legends, they had supernatural powers.

A Japanese Tradition
Okiagari-koboshi means “little monk who stands up”. These traditional Japanese roly-poly dolls are made from papier-mâché. They are designed to always return to an upright position, even if you try to tip them onto their side. Okiagaris were actually mentioned in 14th-century writings.

Symbolism
Okiagaris symbolise perseverance and determination in times of adversity. They are a reminder of the old Japanese proverb “Fall seven times, stand up eight”. According to tradition, a doll is given to each person in the family plus one, in the hope that a baby will be born during the year. During the Tokaichi or Tenth Day Market, customers drop a few dolls at a time, and the ones that remain standing are said to bring good fortune.