Otafuku – joy of Japan

Amy Katoh is the author of  Blue and White Japan,  Japan  Country Living,  Japan, the Art of Living 

and this little gem, Otakufu – Joy of Japan

she symbolizes the Japanese essence of woman, housewife, mother and guardian spirit

“she’s not much to look at. She tends to be plump and frumpy, but something about Otafuku makes her the one you want to come home to.” 

 

 

 

the book has a recipe for Apricot Bars – sticky but yummy -the baking is done.

 

 

Otafuku’s image can be found on everything, figurines, masks, kitchen ware, advertising

and everwhere –  in homes, shops, schools and Shinto shrines

 textiles 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 even painstakingly slow e-gasuri or picture ikat.

She symbolizes home, hearth and family.