A vintage oversized Shogi (Japanese chess) King piece ornament by Ohsaku (Hishinuma Osho Seisakusho) of Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, a region renowned throughout Japan for its Shogi piece craftsmanship. It was displayed for some time and then stored for years with its original product stickers still attached.
In Japan, large Shogi piece ornaments are traditionally displayed in homes, entryways, offices, and shops as symbols of good fortune and protection. They are also popular gifts for housewarmings and new business openings. Different characters are believed to carry different meanings:
- Osho (King): Represents leadership, victory, and successful governance or business management.
- Fuhyo / Tokin (Pawn / Promoted Pawn): Symbolizes steady progress, diligence, and stepping up in life or career.
- Hidari-Uma (Left Horse): A horizontally-inverted horse character that traditionally acts as a talisman to attract customers, bringing commercial prosperity and wealth.
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