|
 |
Bobbing Head Zodiac Animals
These are the twelve animals signs represented in the Oriental Zodiac. These are
handmade in the Sendai region of Japan, by a particular craftsman and his family. Their bobbing
heads and hand-painted faces give each its own individual personality. Similar to the Western
Zodiac, the Chinese and Japanese believe that the personality of every person is determined by the
animal sign for the year they were born in. Each animal sign has both good and bad characteristics,
and many books have been written about each sign in great detail. (If you would like to purchase
one of the best books on the subject, we sell a book called, "The Handbook of Chinese
Horoscopes", by Theodora Lau, for $18 plus shipping.) In the New Year, Japanese people
decorate their homes with the animal represented by that particular year.
Each Zodiac sign is handmade, and comes with
its own handmade box, plus an explanation of each particular animal's personality and characteristics.
|
|
|
|
|
The Rat
The Rat is forthright and inquisitive, loves to acquire things, and good at making money.
Always level, always alert to all possibilities, he has the ability to adapt to any situation or
crisis, and will always be successful at whatever he chooses to do in life. The Rat may try to do
too much, all the time, and as a result overextend himself. Rat Years: 1900 1912
1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996
|
|
|
|
|
The Ox
The Ox is the symbol of prosperity through perseverance and hard work. The Ox person is
patient and dependable, extremely calm in all his undertakings. While extremely reliable, they can
also be extremely stubborn. Ox Years: 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997
|
|
|
|
|
The Tiger
Power and passion characterize the Tiger's personality. While sometimes rebellious or
impulsive, he is always exuberantly in love with life. Tiger years: 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998
|
|
|
|
|
The Rabbit
The Rabbit is a beloved favorite of the Japanese, well entrenched in myth and culture. The
rabbit is considered a symbol of longevity and has a strong association with the Moon. (Where we see
a Man in the Moon, the Japanese see a Rabbit in the Moon, pounding Mochi Rice Cakes!) The Rabbit
is soft spoken and gracious, kind and sensitive, graceful and elegant. He is well liked by people,
and generally avoids conflict. Rabbit years: 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999
|
|
|
|
|
The Dragon
One of the most powerful signs in the Zodiac, in China the sign of the Dragon also represents
the Emperor. It was believed that anyone viewing the entire Dragon's body would die, and for that
reason in both Chinese and Japanese Art, the Dragon is always only partially portrayed;
usually the head and claw, with the rest of the body hidden by clouds.
The only magical and mythical sign of the Zodiac,
people born in the powerful year of the Dragon are strong willed, and said to be led by destiny.
Dynamic and energetic, they can also be overzealous and demanding. A dragon's egotistical
nature will cause him to be at the center of everything. Dragon years: 1904 1916 1928
1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000
|
|
|
|
|
The Snake
The Snake is the deepest thinker of all the signs in the Zodiac. Going back to biblical times,
the Snake is said to hold the wisdom of the ages, and Snake people are the beneficiaries of this
inborn wisdom. They can have mystic and psychic tendencies, and the Snake is said to be a karmic
sign, with past actions dictating the success or failure in this lifetime.
Intense and independent, a Snake person will
always rely on his own instincts, his own judgment, over that of others. A Snake will
always have enough money for their needs. Snake years: 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001
|
|
|
|
|
The Horse
Unpredictable, high-spirited, and independent are the qualities that define the Horse. A person
born into this year has an adventurous spirit, a sharp mind, and an ability to handle money. He can
also be extremely headstrong. Horse years: 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Sheep (or Ram)
3" long $20
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Sheep (or Ram)
The Chinese believe that good fortune smiles on anyone born in the year of the Sheep. They are
said to be possessed of a peaceful nature and a kind heart, and they are known for being gentle
and compassionate, perhaps to a fault. The Sheep is a lucky sign, and as the 8th sign of the
Zodiac, represents continuing prosperity. Sheep years: 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003
|
|
|
|
|
The Monkey
Those born under the sign of the Monkey are said to be quick-witted and clever, extremely
intelligent and inventive. His cleverness can sometimes be seen as cunning; he is competitive,
and successful in the pursuit of money or power. Self-confident to a fault, he can be oblivious to
others around him, but he will still be admired by these people because of his exuberant love of
life. Monkey years: 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004
|
|
|
|
|
The Rooster
The Rooster person is an outstanding performer. He carries himself with impeccable
dignity and self-assurance. He is neat and organized to the point of being meticulous.
Rooster years: 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005
|
|
|
|
|
The Dog
A person born in this year is honest, intelligent, and so loyal that the Dog is said to
be the most well-liked sign in the Zodiac. The Dog will passionately chase after Justice, and among
his personality traits, cowardice is nowhere to be found. For the Dog, honor and fair play make life
worth living. Dog years: 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006
|
|
|
|
|
The Wild Boar
Honest and persevering, the Boar is admired for his courage and fortitude. He prefers harmony
over conflict, and does not carry a grudge. Boar years: 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007
|
|
|
The bobbing-head animals are $20 each;
plus $8 for shipping east of the Mississippi, and $9 west of the Mississippi.
(If you are purchasing more than one animal, please email us with
your order and shipping address for a quote on shipping.) We ONLY
ship U.P.S. If you wish to order please call us at our store during
business hours with your credit card information, or make out a check
for the correct amount to Old Japan Inc. and send it to our store
in New York City. Out of state checks take 7 business days to clear,
and we will not ship before the check clears. (So if you're in a hurry,
please call us with your credit card info.) These Bobbing Head Animals
are a big seller in our store in New York City. We hope you enjoy
them!
|
|
