The "Akabeko Barricade®," a quietly popular item in certain circles, is currently featured in a campaign where you can win a small version or a miniature!

"Akabeko Barricade®," produced by Washio Shokai in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture , is a construction barricade modeled after the traditional Aizu folk toy. The sight of rows of Akabeko barricades at construction sites became a hot topic on social media, and apparently some people came to buy them to display in their homes.

A giveaway campaign is currently underway where a small version and miniature versions of the Akabeko barricade will be given away to a total of 11 lucky winners . This is a joint project by Washio Shokai and Hoshin of Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, and the deadline for entries is November 27, 2026 (Friday)

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Inspired by Miyagi's "Musubimaru," Aizu's Akabeko figurines line up at construction sites

Akabekoa traditional folk toy from Aizu that embodies wishes for protection against evil and good health. The Akabeko barricade, which was created in April 2023, incorporates the image of this toy into a material used to protect safety at construction sites.

an interview with Washio Shokai released by the Health Promotion Division of the Fukushima Prefectural Health and Welfare Department, the inspiration for the development came from seeing similar barricades at construction sites in other prefectures. They wanted to create local barricades in Fukushima, similar to Miyagi's "Musubimaru" and Niigata's "Tokkikki," and chose the Aizu Akabeko (red cow) as the motif.

The main unit for construction isapproximately 80 cm tall. It is used by threading scaffolding pipes through the main unit.

When it became a hot topic on social media, people started coming to buy it to use as interior decor, and orders came in from as far away as Hiroshima and Kyoto. According to Washio Shokai, requests such as "I want to put it inside my house" and "It's too big to fit" led to the development of a smaller 25cm version

Incidentally, perhaps due to its popularity, Washio Trading Company has also launched a special website for the Akabeko Barricade

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The prizes are a small version that is 25cm tall and a miniature version that is 6cm tall

This time, the prizes come in two types: a small version that can be used indoors or outdoors, and a miniature version that can be enjoyed as a decoration

Prize A: Small Akabeko Barricade® (1 winner)

This set includes two red panels and two 30cm long pipes. Each panel measures25cm high, 15cm wide, and 3cm thick. The provided images show examples of how to use it, such as hanging it on a wall or using it as a book stand.

Prize B: Miniature Akabeko Barricade® (Blind Box Edition) (10 winners)

A miniature version will be given to 10 lucky winners. The main unit measures6cm in height, 4cm in width, and 0.4cmin thickness, and comes with a 5cm pipe and connecting parts.The color of the main unitis random, so it's a surprise until you open the box.

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Applications are open until November 27th. You can participate via both Instagram and X

You can enter this contest through either Instagram or X, or both

The project is being implemented by Washio Shokai, a company in Aizuwakamatsu City that makes Akabeko barricades, and Hoshin, a company that handles temporary construction materials. Washio Shokai sells and rents Hoshin's products, andthe two companies' business relationship, which has lasted for over 40 years,led to this joint campaign.

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