LABOR OF LOVE (AKABEKO)

AKABEKO

Akabeko, meaning “red cow” in Japanese, refers to a legendary cow from the Aizu prefecture in Japan portrayed in popular culture as a common children’s toy. Legends claim there was once a cow who helped build a temple in the ninth century by pulling carts of material for construction. Upon the completion of the temple, Akabeko offered their spirit to Buddha and their flesh was immediately turned to stone, becoming a symbol for dedication to hard work and passionate devotion to the Buddha.

Another myth of the Akabeko arose in Aizu surrounding a smallpox outbreak in the late 16th and early 17th century. Children who had akabeko toys seemed to avoid the illness and people saw them as charms to ward off sickness.

In the modern era, these toys are made from two segments of Papier-mâché-covered wood, painted in red with black, white, and gold accents. The head and neck are hung from a string that fits inside the hollow body, allowing the head to bob back and forth when moved. They remain a national symbol of the Aizu region.