Amigurumis: What Are They and What Is Their Story?

We all find the amigurumis utterly endearing, seeing them as one of those knitted little dolls that are capable of winning the heart of everyone at home. They are so tiny and adorable that you just feel like taking them all home, proudly displaying them in the little ones’ bedroom or other spaces around the house.

But behind all that sweetness and mysticism they convey, there is a genuine story of resilience waiting to be discovered. A real-life lesson for this new generation, showing them just how possible it is to overcome adversity with effort and empathy towards the pain of others.

The amigurumis are not only present in exclusive shops or shops specialised in children’s items. We can also spot them in the creations our grandmothers make using the crochet technique, giving us pieces filled with the purest love that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

If you want to discover the mystical origins of the amigurumis and the meaning of this word, keep reading, because this post aims to teach you and tell you about what lies behind those magnificent characters.

Let’s go!

 

What Are Amigurumis?

It is a trend of Japanese origin that consists of making dolls using the hook-knitting technique, better known as crochet. The amigurumis are dolls made of wool and cotton yarn, produced within this traditional handmade manufacturing style, standing out for their pleasant visual appeal and such a soft touch that it is impossible not to want to hug them.

They can portray different animals, as well as everyday objects, in small or medium sizes depending on who makes them. Another positive aspect of amigurumis is their sustainable nature, because no artificial products or other polluting agents are used anywhere in the production chain.

In addition, they are timeless, being passed down to the next generations without having to throw them away because they “suffered the ravages of time”, leaving them with an unpleasant appearance.

 

 

What Does the Word “Amigurumis” Mean?

 

“Amigurumis” is a compound word from the Japanese language, divided into “Ami”, which means to knit or knitted, and “Gurumi”, which translates as stuffed doll.

If we adapt it to the semantics of the English language, we could say that it would be “Knitted Doll”. However, that would be a grammatical approximation, due to the wide variations that exist in the Japanese language in terms of pronunciation and writing with the Kanji system.

 

The History of Amigurumis.

 

 

Talking about the origins and history of the amigurumis means going back to Japan in 1950, when the Second World War had just ended and this Asian country was devastated in general terms. There was not only a climate of hopelessness because of the situation at that time, but also because of the huge number of civilian casualties, which according to official records range between 350.000-500.000.

While unofficial research speaks of more than 1.500.000 deaths as a result of this armed conflict. The Japanese were looking for a reason to brighten their grey days, which led to the emergence of the Kawaii culture. This artistic movement is based on the creation of cute objects and images in every existing sphere of Japanese society.

This brought with it internationally renowned characters such as Hello Kitty, giving meaning to the lives of millions of people who had lost their loved ones or had been forcibly displaced by the nuclear attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

A homemade amigurumi was a reflection of a new way of life, offering all the women of a family a source of entertainment to make their hours at home more pleasant. What would have been a passing habit ended up becoming a tradition with deep socio-cultural roots that are still alive today. The culture of knitting is even much older: it goes back to the time of the Samurai, who had to knit their own garments before going out to fight.

The original amigurumis had no mouth, so as not to be tied to any emotion and to be able to connect and identify with the feelings of their owner. That is why many of the  amigurumis  that we first designed at Crochetts had no mouth.

 

 

Reasons to Buy Amigurumi Dolls at Crochetts.

 

 

Beyond being a toy, the purpose of these cotton plushies is to protect and nurture the spirit and imagination of the child that lives in all of us, awakening the tenderness of love. Each amigurumi has a “soul” that makes it the lifelong companion and confidant of its owner, providing protection and comfort in moments of fear, stress or sadness.

Our amigurumis are attachment objects linked to simple concepts such as complicity, friendship and companionship.

So an amigurumi will help to:

 

• Feed your children’s imagination, passing on to them that feeling of tenderness, companionship and security that will turn them into healthy and intelligent adults.

 

• Encourage healthy entertainment among the little ones, teaching them the importance of being empathetic and grateful to the universe for enjoying an environment that protects them.

 

• You will be giving them an icon of Japanese culture, whose symbolism goes far beyond being a simple ornament. It is solid proof that it is possible to move towards success with a change of mindset and by letting go of those negative thoughts.

 

Do you realise? Never judge or look down on anyone because of their appearance. And we say this because amigurumis are almost always considered “simple toys” instead of holding a more holistic conception for everything they represent.

Go ahead and buy amigurumis and teach your children that nothing in life is so terrible that it cannot be overcome. If you liked this post, share it on your social media.