Sarubobo

Sarubobo (Japaneseさるぼぼ, dt "Monkey Baby" ) is a Japanese amulet from the known for their craftsmanship Hida region around Takayama.

The amulet is a red monkey baby without a face dar. It should inter alia misfortune away - " Keep away " is in Japanese去るsaru - and provide windfall - "Monkey " (猿) is in the Kun - reading saru and in the On- reading s and thus homophonic with yen ( jap. s).

Today Sarubobos are popular souvenirs ( omiyage ) from Takayama. While they traditionally had a red color to give them a different meaning today is attributed by color:

• Blue: happiness for school and work
• Pink: lucky in love
• Green: protection against disease
• Yellow: windfall
• Black: protection against bad luck