2027 zodiac sheep ornaments in production in Hokkaido - NHKニュース

The production of figurines of sheep, the Oriental zodiac symbol for next year, is underway in northern Japan's Hokkaido.

A pottery center run by the town of Shintoku annually makes figurines around this time.

This year, five kinds of sheep ornaments are being made.

Two feature palm-sized sheep sitting on their knees and wearing red Kamishimo, the ceremonial attire of samurai.

Three figurines are modeled after sheep that are standing. Fluffy fur is designed to look like that of a real animal.

Staff at the facility were busy taking unpainted objects out of a kiln and carefully coloring them with brushes.

An instructor at the center, Tanaka Yoshinori, said that he made the figurines with the hope that next year would be warm and peaceful like a sheep.

He says all the sheep have different expressions, and he wants people to choose their favorite ones.

The center plans to create about 300 to 400 figurines. The ornaments are being sold at a local communication center and other facilities.