Akagura

Akagura [桌熊 あかぐら, lit. 'red bear') is a legendary bear from the highlands of Heisai Prefecture which inspired a traditional toy. In legend, Akagura the bear was a companion of the great warlord Senyama no Daizō, and was present at the building of Yūari Temple and the Battle of Ue no Senzan in 1260. Some say that when the bear died, its body was mummified and buried in the temple gardens at Yūari; an ancient memorial to the legend can be visited there.
The akagura toy is made of wood covered with papier-mache, carved and painted with laquer to resemble the face of a bear. The earliest akagura toys were created in the late 16th or early 17th century. Over time, people came to believe that the akagura could ward off smallpox and other illnesses; therefore, it became less used as a toy and was considered more of a protective talisman for children. It has become one of Heisai Prefecture's most famous crafts and a symbol of its highland region.