In The House of Garbage the Hirookas realize that someone seems to think that the garbage collection site is right in front of their house. On the way to work one day, Mr. Hirooka's boss shows him an odd postcard. When he asks what Mr. Hirooka thinks of it, he tells him he likes it a lot (just to kiss butt actually). The next day more trash is left in front of the Hirooka home, but the odd thing is that the trash all contains very bizarre tribal items. The Hirookas find out where the trash is coming from, and carry it back to the family. Ritsuko is about to angrily tell off the family, when Mr. Hirooka realizes it's his boss.
The Boss is delighted that Hirooka brought the trash back. His wife had been trying to get rid of all the various oddities he had collected while he travelled. Once he learns that the Hirookas live right in front of the "trash collection site" he asks them to hold any garbage his wife throws out so he can come and reclaim it at the end of the day. Now the Hirookas have to decide if they want to tell the boss and risk upsetting him, or just collect his trash and pray for a promotion?
Kibori Kuma (木彫り熊) is a Japanese rural craft that consists of a wooden carving of a bear with a fish in its mouth. The sculptures are mainly produced in Hokkaido; small carvings are sold as souvenirs of the island. The most common design depicts a brown bear biting a chum salmon. However, many variations of the kibori kuma have evolved including a more anthropomorphic form were the bear is carrying the salmon over its shoulder.
Haniwa (埴輪) are unglazed terra-cotta cylinders and hollow sculptures arranged on and around the mounded tombs (kofun) of the Japanese elite dating from the Tumulus period (c. 250–552 CE). The first and most common haniwa were barrel-shaped cylinders used to mark the borders of a burial ground.
Fu Dog also known as komainu, shishi (石獅), or foo dogs, are intimidating, mythical, lion-like creatures seen across a breath of art forms, ranging from architecture to tattoos. As they symbolize prosperity, success and guardianship, they're full of meaning—which has made them popular in Western art too.
Dogu are clay figurines from the Jomon period. There are many theories on what they were used for with the main agreement being they were a talisman for good health or safe childbirth.
Papua New Guinea Tribal Masks - In Papua New Guinea it is only men who wear or make masks and they must be an initiate in that cult. Masks are not used by women. It is taboo for women to see or touch masks other than during a ceremony. Masks represent the spirits and ancestral deities of the tribe.
Fangtian Ji or the Square Sky Halberd (also known as the Shuang Ji double halberd) is a Song Dynasty polearm which pairs a spearhead with a dual set of crescent blades. These blades were not only excellent chopping and puncturing weapons, but their outward-facing alignment made them excellent at deflecting and entangling oncoming strikes from a foes weapon. It is famously associated with Lu Bu, who figures prominently in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms – he was said to have wielded such a weapon with legendary prowess.
Maasai shields, are made of cattle hide stretched over and sewn on to a wooden frame with leather strips. It has a handle attached across the centre at the back which is often covered with leather. The Maasai are nomadic herdsmen who travel long distances to find appropriate grazing grounds for their cattle.
The Rangda Ing Girah mask (“Widow of Girah Village”) is a creature of ambiguous significance in Balinese religious traditions. In Bali, she is typically referred to as Calonarang, which is also the name of her performance. Technically, she is a child-eating demon and queen of the evil witches (leyak).
