This listing is for a pair of fabric-covered figures called kimekomi ningyo ("dolls") from Japan that celebrate The Year of the Dog. These types of display pieces are usually put out at the beginning (and often through the end) of the zodiac year. These are very often smaller and made from clay, so fabric-covered ones are a bit more unusual.

The Japanese culture holds that people born in a particular year will have similar traits and everyone is very aware of what zodiac year they were born in. 2018 was the last Year of the Dog. Count back by twelves (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 86, and 98 years before 2018) to see who you know that might be "a Dog".

The figures are covered in a crepe fabric - likely rayon - and come with a 8"x7" black lacquered base. The larger dog is 7"x3"x3" and the smaller one is 4"x2.5"x2.5".

See the videos below for more information on Japanese zodiac animals and how kimekomi dolls are made.

.................