In Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, we painted "Akabeko", a local toy from Fukushima Prefecture where parents and children are said to protect people from the plague, and wished for the end of the infection with the new coronavirus.
At the "Higashiomi Daikite Kaikan", which introduces domestic and foreign "octopuses" in Higashiomi City, an exhibition is held that collects local toys from all over the country that protect people from the plague.
On the 13th, 10 parents and children from the prefecture experienced painting "Akabeko" in the shape of a red-haired cow with folk crafts from the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture.
It is said that red is a color that plague dislikes, and that the black spots on the body mean smallpox that was once prevalent, and that "Akabeko" is a substitute for plague.
Participants took about 30 minutes to make spots and draw eyes on a 20-centimeter red beak with white, black, and gold paint while keeping a distance from each other. I had completed Beko.
A fifth grade boy who participated said, "I made it while hoping that Corona would settle down quickly. It's a decent work, so I'll display it on the TV in the living room."