Have you seen a Woobles kit lately? We have--they are everywhere! These little stuffed characters are an example of amigurumi, 3-D stuffed toys that are knit or crocheted. Amigurumi originated in Japan in the 40s and 50s, in the aftermath of the atom bombs that the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Often cute, these little toys can be seen as a cultural antidote to immense tragedy. We talk about how amigurumis often have faces, and can come with personalities and stories. Many of these traits can be traced back to their genesis in Japan, and could be tied to traditional beliefs in animism and shintoism. Listen in to learn more.
Find thorough show notes with sources here: https://tinyurl.com/5vphvfcw. A shoutout out to Jennifer Ramirez of @thesunandtheturtle (thesunandtheturtle.com) for providing us with her book, Amigurumi, including her research into the history of amigurumi.
Do you have an idea for a show, a comment, a question, or an amigurumi of your own you'd like to share? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com! You can also find us on Tumblr, Instagram, and Blue Sky.
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