Think about the soft teddy your son has been cuddling in his sleep since forever. Or the cute doll your daughter carries takes everywhere. Or the pink dragon. The fluffy bunny with a missing tail. The little monkey in a faded circus outfit....
You know what I'm talking about. Every child has a favorite cuddly toy and its constant presence makes it as important as any other family member. But children outgrow their toys, as they all must, and then what happens with those discarded companions?
Personally, I'm not able to contemplate this moment which is why I was extremely disturbed to read about the Japanese custom of sending off no longer wanted toys with a proper funeral service at the temple. Heartbreaking as this whole idea might be, maybe it does make sense.
The idea is that the dolls and plushies children cherish while growing up accumulate memories, grow a soul of their own and as such, throwing them out when they're no longer wanted is a cruel thing to do. And it might bring bad luck on their former owners.
Toy funerals, known as ningyo kuyo, are very popular in Japan, and such rituals are held at both Shinto and Buddhist temples. On the chosen day, the priest performs a purification ritual over the discarded toys, recites a few sutras and then some of the toys are burned on a pyre. A few deemed to have some cultural value are kept on display at the temple, while the rest, sadly, make their way to the garbage dump after all.
I guess now you understand what I meant saying this post is not safe for parents. I did not even considered taking a picture of my son's favorite teddy-bear for this post. The little guys has been with us for nine years and I've come to think of him as my third child. Just think of the time spent worrying for his safety. Like when we're at some airport – the boy is big enough to take care of himself, but I need to check and double-check the backpack, make sure the little teddy is safe.
Looking on the bright side, this is the child that I'll get to keep me company in my old age!
How much is the teddy in the window?
Abandoned toys have something tragic to them and over the years we've managed to save a few from their sad fate. As my son has a thing for teddy-bears, we've taken into our house some ragged worn-out teddies we discovered staring at us with their beady eyes from the window of a second-hand shop.
Judging by their appearance it was obvious someone played with them for many years, they must have been someone's comfort toy. Until they weren't anymore. They were discarded, just like the old sweaters those shops sold.
Just take a look at the one with a Christmas hat. When I saw it in the window he looked terrible. I think he even had an eye missing. I don't think anybody would have bought it, but I had to save him from the dumpster. Give him a new home for a few more years.
I'm wondering if his former owner ever thinks of him anymore? I don't know, but maybe the teddies remember the kids who used to clutch at them in their sleep.