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Bamboo and wood products
<Bamboo and Wood>

雉車

Kiji Guruma

九州地方独特の玩具であり、野鳥のキジを模して木材を削って造り、車輪と紐を付属させ、屋外で牽引して遊ぶものです。産地は福岡県、熊本県、大分県に集中しています。雉子車が九州地方にのみ見られる理由として、雉子が神話などで縁起の良い鳥として信仰されていた説や、日本国外の文化からの輸入、平家の残党などの山奥での隠遁生活と信仰から生まれた説などが挙げられます。

Unique to the Kyushu region, Kiji guruma are produced in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Oita prefectures. The toys are carved out of wood to resemble a pheasant, with wheels and a string attached, and children play with them by pulling them outdoors. There are several theories as to why pheasant cars are only found in the Kyushu region. One is that they were imported from cultures outside of Japan. Another is that pheasants were considered auspicious birds in myths. A third theory is that they originated from the secluded life and faith of remnants of Heike clan members living deep in the mountains.

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