Okiagari-koboshi literally means little priest standing up. This is a traditional Japanese tumbler made of papier-mâché and designed in such a way that it always returns to an upright position when tilted to the side. It symbolizes perseverance and resistance in the face of adversity, echoing the Japanese proverb:Seven times down, eight times up.Tradition dictates that one buys a tumbler for each member of the family plus one, in the hope that the family will grow over the year. Find the different Okiagari tumblers. The first Emperor of Japan was called Ojin and he reigned in the 4th century. For more than 1500 years, the Emperor was considered the supreme priest who served as intermediary between men and the gods. He never got involved in the country's military affairs and his role was always rather ceremonial and symbolic. Today, the Emperor of Japan is the only one to bear this title in the world. It is a symbol of protection and eternity.