Terracotta Konoha Saru Tree Leaf Monkey Wooden Leage Kiln, Japan, 1970s

A ‘tree leaf’ monkey made of red clay, fired in the Konohazaru oven (木の葉猿窯), Tamahigashi-cho, Tamana-gun.

The “Konoha Saru” ceramics are handmade, and each piece has a unique shape and expression. These earthenware figures are regarded as protective deities against theft, misfortune, illness, and for promoting the reproduction of offspring.

This specimen represents a monkey with a baby and is stamped on the bottom, dating back to the 1960s.

Dimensions: height 11.5 cm, width 4.5 cm, depth 5.5 cm.

Approximately 1300 years ago, according to legend, a stranger lived in the village of Kono Ha, formerly known as the ‘Tiger’s Teeth.’ One night, he had a dream in which an old man told him to honor the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara and create offerings of clay from the red earth of Mount Konoha. After making these offerings, he discarded the leftover clay. The legend says that the remaining clay turned into monkeys.