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Ise Shrimp
The ise shrimp wears a full suit of red armor and moves slowly and heavily, but powerfully across the sea floor.
He looks like a venerable old man bent with age, but when something happens he can move swiftly and decisively. The shrimp is a product of the sea while the rice is a product of the land and the countryside. The fern is a symbol of prosperity. Taken together they are symbolic of the riches of Japan and signify congratulations.
The pine, bamboo and plum are the three friends of winter, which are tied together with gold and silver paper strings.
The design as a whole signifies good fortune and congratulations, and may bring to mind good wishes for a New Year or some other happy event.
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