This is Shuma's frog kigurumi, used when he's in his stroller on cold days. I like it because it has no arms, so his hands stay nice and warm.
Kigurumi refers to a warm, loose, costume-like coverall (usually with arms), almost always with an animal theme. Kigurumi are not just for babies, and plenty of adults in Japan enjoy lounging around while disguised as a stuffed animal. The word comes from okurumi, which means swaddling blanket.
If you're in Japan and want to buy kigurumi for your baby, check out Nissen (in Japanese). Shuma's armless one, here, also comes in leapord, rabbit, bee, cow and panda.
Oh oh oh! My head just exploded from the cute!
I called my son over to have a look, "Hey, come and look at this Frog Baby!" He came running over and cooed over the photo then said, "Not a tadpole???"
Posted by: Vicky | 2010.11.28 at 10:23 AM
Adorable! (learn new vocab every day! I had thought kigurumi came from kiru - to wear and nuigurumi - stuffed animal)
Posted by: Sarah | 2010.11.28 at 10:38 AM
That is the most cutest ever green froggie thingee omg.
Posted by: Thomas T | 2010.11.28 at 01:54 PM
So, so cute. Shuma's outfits are making me feel I really missed out by not having babies while we lived in Japan. And I can't believe there is an entire category of stuffed-animal-wrap clothing.
Posted by: suzy | 2010.11.28 at 02:55 PM
that is just adorable.
Posted by: lex | 2010.12.02 at 09:14 AM
Thanks all!
Haha Vicky, that's a sharp kid!
Sarah, they do both have "kurumi" as their root word. I find it interesting that nuigurumi is always written in hiragana, even though "nui" and "kurumi" both have perfectly good kanji.
Suzy, I think Australia is a way, way better place to raise kids!
Posted by: Amy | 2010.12.06 at 08:00 AM
This is SO CUTE!!!!!! I love your posts in general, but I have a soft spot for the ones about Japanese baby stuff. I'm over in China and I have few positive things to say about Chinese baby gear!!!
Posted by: Happy in Asia | 2010.12.12 at 09:00 PM