Guess what I just bought at Strapya~World!




A pet Marimo ball!









*****Update: 2/9/14*****Updated picture of the two marimo balls I got from Enoshima Japan. I uploaded this because I lost my original photos of my first marimo ball.********







I was reading a blog from a lady who had also bought one but as a key-chain. I was instantly interested in this & so I decided to do some research....












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What is Marimo (aka Cladophora ball or Moss ball)?




"A Marimo is a rare growth form of the species where algae grows into large green balls with a velvety appearance. Colonies of such balls are known only to form in Iceland, Japan and Estonia."

- Wikipedia




So I'll be talking about the Japan Marimo origin, since that's where my little treasure is coming from!









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Marimo is native to Akan Lake in Japan. Marimo was declared to be a national treasure of Japan in 1921 & people from all over the country would go buy or collect the Marimo balls in glass jars to take home as souvenirs.









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Not long after a hydro-electric plant was built on the Akan river, the water level in the lake fell dramatically, which in turn had some rather undesirable effects on the local ecosystem.


Dead & rotting Marimo began flooding the shores of Lake Akan. Because of the selling of individual Marimo as souvenirs & the damming of the Akan river, the populations of Marimo balls declined greatly. Environmentalists launched a campaign in efforts to try & protect the Marimo of Lake Akan and an appeal was made to the people of Japan to return their Marimo souvenirs. Shockingly people responded & great numbers of the Marimo were returned to their natural environment in the lake. People were so overwhelmed by the support received that they held a festival in appreciation of the selfless act. On October 7, 1950 the first of the annual Marimo Festivals was celebrated at Lake Akan. That's Japan for you huh?
















Marimo is also said to bring blessings & grant wishes to those who take excellent care of them. Like cleaning there water every week, making sure they stay away from extreme temperatures, etc.






A Marimo is sometimes mistaken for an animal in the aquarium because of its movement, which is another reason for the interest. Furthermore, it has a rather long life span. The largest Marimo ball is known to have lived for over 100 years.

















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One of the main reason for Marimo gaining public favor would most likely be due to legend.








"Legend in Japan tells of how the daughter of a chief fell in love with a commoner but when the elders rejected of their relationship, the two gave up their honor and fortunes to be together by drowning in a river. It is said that the marimo is the shape of their happiness and the proof of their everlasting love."




Another version of the legend;



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"Once upon a time in a tribe near Lake Akan in Hokkaido, the daughter of the chief of an elite tribe fell in love with a warrior from a rival tribe. Their tribes forbade their love, but the love between the star-crossed lovers was so strong that they decided to give up their possession and flee from the land where their love was forbidden. Although their new life was harsh, they survived because of the deep love they had for one other. Legend has it that the lovers’ spirits metamorphosed into Marimo, a plant of love at the deepest reach of the Lake Akan where they lived happily ever after. This folklore passed from generation to generation. Marimo has become a symbol of determination in overcoming adversities in search of true love and happiness. Under tender care and attention, Marimo will grow and flourish as well as make their owners’ wishes come true."








(Photosource)









Marimo ball's are also said to be close to extinct. I'm hoping in March when I go back to Japan that I can take a weekend trip to Hokkaido & visit Lake Akan where these little guys live!






Best friend, Vicky..look forward to the trip!






























Mata ne!! ^ ^