This amigurumi was inspired by kagami mochi (鏡餅), a traditional decoration for Shōgatsu, the Japanese New Year. In its simplest form, it typically consists of 2 layers of mochi, with a bitter orange called daidai 橙 on top. It is presented during the New Year to welcome the Toshigami, the year god and the Shinto deity of harvest and grain, as well as to give thanks for the year’s bountiful harvest.

At the end of Shōgatsu, households use a mallet to break open the kagami mochi in a ritual called kagami biraki 鏡開き, and the mochi pieces (traditionally called otoshidama お年玉) are used to prepare various dishes such as the New Year soup called ozouni, fried rice crackers called kakimochi, or cooked with red bean to make zenzai. Eating the otoshidama symbolises receiving the blessing and spiritual vitality of the Toshigami for the year ahead.

Pattern Notes

This amigurumi is a small, keychain sized one. It is suitable for beginners.

It consists of 5 parts, which are stitched together at the end: the top mochi, bottom mochi, daidai orange, the orange leaf and the red-and-white cord.

The top and bottom mochi, as well as the daidai orange are worked in the round, and are roughly spherical in shape. The orange leaf is also worked in the round but results in a flat piece. The cord is tied between the top and bottom mochi.

Finished Size

Approx. 4.5cm long, 4.5cm wide and 5.5cm high.
The finished size may vary depending on hook size, yarn weight, crochet tension and how firmly the work is stuffed.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn, fingering/sports weight in soft white, white, red, orange and medium green
• 2.5mm crochet hook
• Stuffing
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Safety eyes, embroidery thread (optional)

I used a 2.3mm crochet hook, Scheepjes Catona No.105 Bridal White, No.106 Snow White, No.281 Tangerine, No.390 Poppy Rose and No.412 Forest Green.

Crochet Techniques

This pattern uses US crochet terms and consists of the following stitches and techniques:

MR : magic ring
ch : chain
sl st : slip stitch
sc : single crochet
inc : increase (2 sc in the same st)
dec : decrease

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