赤あかべこ

noun

akabeko; red cow toy from Fukushima; smallpox talisman

A traditional folk toy from Fukushima Prefecture: a red papier-mâché cow with a bobbing head. Historically also used as a charm to ward off smallpox.

• 会あい津づ地ち方ほうのお土産みやげに赤あかべこを買かった。

  I bought an akabeko as a souvenir from the Aizu region.

• 赤あかべこは首くびがゆらゆら動うごくのが特とく徴ちょうだ。

  A distinctive feature of the akabeko is its bobbing head.