These charming owl souvenirs from the Kishimojin-do Temple in Zoshigaya, Tokyo, have been popular since the late Edo period as a talisman for safe childbirth, child rearing, and health. Traditionally, they were made from the heads of Japanese pampas grass growing in the mountain villages of Musashino, harvested when the stalks were just starting to bloom. Five or six stalks are tied tightly together to form a soft, round shape into a Daruma-style owl, with red wing horns made from thin paper, millet shells cut into rings and painted with black eyes, and a beak made from a piece of bamboo. These adorable toys show off both the soft texture of the Japanese pampas grass and the skills of the craftsmen.