These toys are made on Taketomi Island from a plant called Māni. From the top left: frog, horse, and on the lower row from the left: finger snake, grasshopper, and dragonfly.
Māni is the local name for a palm plant known as Kurotsugu (Arenga engleri), a species of palm that grows naturally in the southern islands.
The word tsugu in kurotsugu means shuro (windmill palm), a material often used for brooms and scrub brushes. The plant’s trunk is covered with dark fibers, which are called fugara locally. These fibers were used to make small brooms, or twisted into cords for daily use.
A local craftsman once said, “There is nothing to waste in Māni.” Indeed, this plant was an essential material deeply rooted in the daily life of Taketomi Island.
This photo shows the harvesting of Māni. Since the plants grow along the roadside, they can be collected quite easily.Here is the black fiber called Fugara, which grows at the base of the Māni plant.This is Fugarajinaa—a rope made from the root fibers of Māni called Fugara. Today, there are very few people who still know how to make it.Before the leaves of Māni open, they are tightly layered and folded upon themselves.When opened, the material used for making these grass toys appears inside.
In this way, the craftspeople collect and prepare the Māni, then weave it into simple figures of animals and insects.
In the past, when adults went out to work in the fields, they would quickly make such toys from nearby natural materials so their children could play nearby. It was much like today’s dolls, plush animals, or favorite toys. Imagining such a scene offers a glimpse into how people once lived closely with nature.
Let us introduce them one by one—first, the snake. It represents the habu snake, one of Okinawa’s most well-known animals.When you insert your finger all the way in, something curious happens—it won’t come out!If your fingers are small, it may slip off easily, but adults should be careful not to get “bitten” by the habu.If it gets stuck, gently lift the mouth end to remove your finger.Next is the horse. In the Yaeyama Islands, Yonaguni horses are still carefully bred today.Similar horse figures can also be found in crafts made from itaya maple in Akita Prefecture—but this one is made from southern island materials.Next is the frog.Okinawa is home to about 40% of all frog species found in Japan—19 species in total.This lively frog seems full of motion—it must have been a familiar creature to children growing up in Okinawa.Next, the grasshopper. In the Okinawan dialect, it’s called “Shee,” and the types differ from island to island—for example, the Amami forest grasshopper or the Ishigaki forest grasshopper.It looks so real, as if it might jump at any moment.Lastly, the dragonfly. In Okinawan dialect, it is called “Ākējū.”There are nearly 30 species in Okinawa, showing how familiar—and fascinating—this insect has always been to children.The curve of each tail seems to hold the memory of the person who made it.
Even simply displayed as interior decor, they have a quiet charm. Please note that as these are handmade grass toys, the details, shapes, and colors may vary slightly from piece to piece. Each batch may also differ slightly in finish, depending on the time of production. We appreciate your understanding.
These grass toys capture creatures closely connected to Okinawa and Taketomi Island— please enjoy discovering them for yourself and choosing your favorite.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
These toys are made on Taketomi Island from a plant called Māni. From the top left: frog, horse, and on the lower row from the left: finger snake, grasshopper, and dragonfly.
Māni is the local name for a palm plant known as Kurotsugu (Arenga engleri), a species of palm that grows naturally in the southern islands.
The word tsugu in kurotsugu means shuro (windmill palm), a material often used for brooms and scrub brushes. The plant’s trunk is covered with dark fibers, which are called fugara locally. These fibers were used to make small brooms, or twisted into cords for daily use.
A local craftsman once said, “There is nothing to waste in Māni.” Indeed, this plant was an essential material deeply rooted in the daily life of Taketomi Island.
This photo shows the harvesting of Māni. Since the plants grow along the roadside, they can be collected quite easily.Here is the black fiber called Fugara, which grows at the base of the Māni plant.This is Fugarajinaa—a rope made from the root fibers of Māni called Fugara. Today, there are very few people who still know how to make it.Before the leaves of Māni open, they are tightly layered and folded upon themselves.When opened, the material used for making these grass toys appears inside.
In this way, the craftspeople collect and prepare the Māni, then weave it into simple figures of animals and insects.
In the past, when adults went out to work in the fields, they would quickly make such toys from nearby natural materials so their children could play nearby. It was much like today’s dolls, plush animals, or favorite toys. Imagining such a scene offers a glimpse into how people once lived closely with nature.
Let us introduce them one by one—first, the snake. It represents the habu snake, one of Okinawa’s most well-known animals.When you insert your finger all the way in, something curious happens—it won’t come out!If your fingers are small, it may slip off easily, but adults should be careful not to get “bitten” by the habu.If it gets stuck, gently lift the mouth end to remove your finger.Next is the horse. In the Yaeyama Islands, Yonaguni horses are still carefully bred today.Similar horse figures can also be found in crafts made from itaya maple in Akita Prefecture—but this one is made from southern island materials.Next is the frog.Okinawa is home to about 40% of all frog species found in Japan—19 species in total.This lively frog seems full of motion—it must have been a familiar creature to children growing up in Okinawa.Next, the grasshopper. In the Okinawan dialect, it’s called “Shee,” and the types differ from island to island—for example, the Amami forest grasshopper or the Ishigaki forest grasshopper.It looks so real, as if it might jump at any moment.Lastly, the dragonfly. In Okinawan dialect, it is called “Ākējū.”There are nearly 30 species in Okinawa, showing how familiar—and fascinating—this insect has always been to children.The curve of each tail seems to hold the memory of the person who made it.
Even simply displayed as interior decor, they have a quiet charm. Please note that as these are handmade grass toys, the details, shapes, and colors may vary slightly from piece to piece. Each batch may also differ slightly in finish, depending on the time of production. We appreciate your understanding.
These grass toys capture creatures closely connected to Okinawa and Taketomi Island— please enjoy discovering them for yourself and choosing your favorite.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
These toys are made on Taketomi Island from a plant called Māni. From the top left: frog, horse, and on the lower row from the left: finger snake, grasshopper, and dragonfly.
Māni is the local name for a palm plant known as Kurotsugu (Arenga engleri), a species of palm that grows naturally in the southern islands.
The word tsugu in kurotsugu means shuro (windmill palm), a material often used for brooms and scrub brushes. The plant’s trunk is covered with dark fibers, which are called fugara locally. These fibers were used to make small brooms, or twisted into cords for daily use.
A local craftsman once said, “There is nothing to waste in Māni.” Indeed, this plant was an essential material deeply rooted in the daily life of Taketomi Island.
This photo shows the harvesting of Māni. Since the plants grow along the roadside, they can be collected quite easily.Here is the black fiber called Fugara, which grows at the base of the Māni plant.This is Fugarajinaa—a rope made from the root fibers of Māni called Fugara. Today, there are very few people who still know how to make it.Before the leaves of Māni open, they are tightly layered and folded upon themselves.When opened, the material used for making these grass toys appears inside.
In this way, the craftspeople collect and prepare the Māni, then weave it into simple figures of animals and insects.
In the past, when adults went out to work in the fields, they would quickly make such toys from nearby natural materials so their children could play nearby. It was much like today’s dolls, plush animals, or favorite toys. Imagining such a scene offers a glimpse into how people once lived closely with nature.
Let us introduce them one by one—first, the snake. It represents the habu snake, one of Okinawa’s most well-known animals.When you insert your finger all the way in, something curious happens—it won’t come out!If your fingers are small, it may slip off easily, but adults should be careful not to get “bitten” by the habu.If it gets stuck, gently lift the mouth end to remove your finger.Next is the horse. In the Yaeyama Islands, Yonaguni horses are still carefully bred today.Similar horse figures can also be found in crafts made from itaya maple in Akita Prefecture—but this one is made from southern island materials.Next is the frog.Okinawa is home to about 40% of all frog species found in Japan—19 species in total.This lively frog seems full of motion—it must have been a familiar creature to children growing up in Okinawa.Next, the grasshopper. In the Okinawan dialect, it’s called “Shee,” and the types differ from island to island—for example, the Amami forest grasshopper or the Ishigaki forest grasshopper.It looks so real, as if it might jump at any moment.Lastly, the dragonfly. In Okinawan dialect, it is called “Ākējū.”There are nearly 30 species in Okinawa, showing how familiar—and fascinating—this insect has always been to children.The curve of each tail seems to hold the memory of the person who made it.
Even simply displayed as interior decor, they have a quiet charm. Please note that as these are handmade grass toys, the details, shapes, and colors may vary slightly from piece to piece. Each batch may also differ slightly in finish, depending on the time of production. We appreciate your understanding.
These grass toys capture creatures closely connected to Okinawa and Taketomi Island— please enjoy discovering them for yourself and choosing your favorite.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
