This Ruddy Kingfisher by Shin Kogei is woodblock printed by hand, and filled with rice casks. It depicts a red kingfisher found in Japanese forests. Founded in Hida-Takayama in the snowy north of Gifu prefecture by a local artist, Shin Kogei are known for their woodblock print animals. Hida-Takayama was an important castle town in the Middle Ages, and today has a fine tradition for wooden furniture. Shin Kogei use this wood to make their printing blocks. The design of animals that can be seen in Hida- Takayama, are transferred to the woodblocks and hand dyed onto natural cotton. Each colour designates a different block used, showing the time spent on each. The animals are filled with natural casks and hand sewn. The bird measures 16.5cm from the tip of its tail, to the tip of its beak. It is 6cm high, and attached to a looped piece of string.