princessoftrance: highselection:Marimo (毬藻) moss balls are actually a type of algae that grows spher
princessoftrance: highselection:Marimo (毬藻) moss balls are actually a type of algae that grows spherically as it rolls in the water. Because they only grow 5mm a month, they are easy to take care of, but they are also very rare and can only be found in a few parts of the world including Japan & Iceland. Because of their rarity and beauty, a festival called Marimo Matsuri takes place every year in Hokkaido, Japan where all the marimo plants in the Lake Akanko are taken out, individually cleaned, and placed back into the water. Not only are they adorable, but they are considered a national treasure in Japan! since it’s indigenous history month just wanted to point out that the marimo matsuri as its known actually began as a conservation effort led by ainu locals, marimo are really valuable to a lot of our community theology!! before this marimo were really threatened by harvesting and this activism is what led to their protection and revival today. lake akan (not akanko) is neighbored by an ainu village! The ‘cleaning’ is actually a blessing by elders in the ainu community and the importance of returning them is in the message of conservation and protecting their home -- source link