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Japanese Hardwood Animal Building Blocks & Puzzle Set

Japanese Hardwood Animal Building Blocks & Puzzle Set

森のどうぶつみき (子供PSC対応)

Twenty-two blocks. Eight animals from Japan's satoyama, the woodland landscape where people and wildlife have coexisted for centuries. Each shaped from a native Japanese hardwood, uncoated, hand-sanded, and rounded for a finish gentle enough for a baby's grip.

Designed by award-winning Japanese picture book illustrator Kanayo Sugiyama, each animal form is instantly recognizable yet simple enough to stack and build with. Bear, hawk, boar, rabbit, squirrel, fox, acorn, and chestnut make up the set, including parent and child pairs.

Five wood species bring distinct colors, weights, and textures to each piece. Children encounter these differences naturally through play. The packaging doubles as a puzzle, with an illustration base that invites children to match each animal back to its place at tidy-up time.

Care Instructions
If mouthed, wipe immediately with a dry cloth and allow to dry fully. Do not leave moisture on uncoated wood.

Note on Natural Variation: Grain, color, and character vary between pieces and sets. Every set is one of a kind.

Shipping Information

As this is a made-to-order item, please allow approximately 10 business days before shipment. If the item is ordered together with in-stock items, the products will be shipped separately. For further inquiries, reach out via "Contact Us”.

Regular price ¥18,000 JPY
Regular price Sale price ¥18,000 JPY
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Quantity
Materials Japanese Cherry (Sakura), Magnolia (Ho), Chestnut (Kuri), Birch (Kaba), Oak (Nara) — 5 domestic species
Country of origin Japan 
Size
22 pieces
Largest piece 12 x 2 x 7cm
Smallest piece 2.9 x 2 x 3.9cm
Finish
Uncoated
Weight
520g
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Story

The Animals of Japan's Satoyama
Japan's satoyama, the transitional landscape between mountain forest and human settlement, has shaped Japanese culture and folklore for centuries. The animals in this set come from that world: bear, hawk, boar, rabbit, squirrel, fox. Creatures Japanese children encounter in stories, in nature, and in the woods beyond the village.

Designer Kanayo Sugiyama, recipient of the Kodansha Picture Book Award, shaped each form to be instantly recognizable and safely graspable by very small hands. The result works as a building toy, a sensory toy, a storytelling prop, and a nature lesson — all at once.

At Oak Village's Gifu workshop, every piece is hand-sanded through multiple stages and inspected before packing. These blocks will end up in a child's hands. That awareness shapes every step of how they are made.

Brand

Oak Village

Oak Village

Built to Last 100 Years.  Made from Trees That Already Have.