This pincushion is contained in a luxurious Shikki, or Yamanaka lacquerware, bowl with a lid. It is made of wood and has multiple coats of lacquerware on it. The cushion is covered with a wave patterned fabric that represents the ocean. There are also 5 hand-formed pins with characters from the folktale, Issunboshi, or Inch Boy.
Dimensions: 1-3/4" x 1-3/4" (47 mm x 47 mm)
Each pin cushion and set of pins comes boxed with an illustrated scroll with the folktale written in Japanese. It also includes a version of the folktale in English.
寸法師 "IssunbÅshi" is about a boy who is a tiny boy as big as a thumb. Thus, the story is often called "Little One Inch" or "One-Inch Boy." The tale dates back at least to the Muromachi period (1392–1573). To this day, all over Japan, the story of IssunbÅshi is famous.
