In addition to this connection between boars and fire, it was believed that the thick, hairy skin of the animals helped protect them from mosquitoes, and so these ideas maybe inspired potters when they came to create a holder for incense coils...
In addition to this connection between boars and fire, it was believed that the thick, hairy skin of the animals helped protect them from mosquitoes, and so these ideas maybe inspired potters when they came to create a holder for incense coils...
But why a pig?
There is no definitive answer, but the connection between pigs (in reality boars) and mosquitoes may have solidified in Edo times.
It is likely the pottery pig-shaped coil holders appeared from the Meiji period in Aichi prefecture.