#Wooden Toys #Nihigan #Hiragana

Nihigan Launches an Innovative Toy for Learning Hiragana

Japanese toy manufacturer, Nihigan Co., Ltd., renowned for its long-established passion for wooden toys, has unveiled a new product designed to teach children the basics of the Japanese hiragana alphabet in a playful manner. Scheduled to be released on June 6, 2025, the Animal-filled Hiragana Domino merges the joy of playing with educational benefits, enabling young children to learn while having fun.

Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Komagome, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Nihigan has built its reputation on creating high-quality wooden toys and crafts. The company’s mission, “Enriching everyday life with the warmth of wood,” reflects its commitment to providing safe and sustainable toys that foster creativity and learning.

Introducing the Animal-filled Hiragana Domino

The new domino set features 46 hiragana characters and illustrations of 10 different animals. When the dominoes topple, they create a soothing sound, stimulating children's auditory senses while engaging their vision and touch. Not only can children enjoy traditional domino toppling, but they can also build words using the hiragana pieces, stack and construct towers, or engage in imaginative play with the animal figures. The unique designs promote dexterity and fine motor skills in a natural, enjoyable way.

The domino pieces are crafted from natural wood, featuring rounded corners and a warm finish, ensuring safety and comfort for toddlers. Each piece measures 48mm x 9mm x 60mm and weighs approximately 880g, highlighting Nihigan’s emphasis on lightweight, easy-to-handle components.

Engaging in Various Play Styles

The Animal-filled Hiragana Domino allows for diverse play methods. Children can engage in classic domino play, challenge their creativity by constructing castles and towers, or immerse themselves in pretend play with the animal characters. This variety fosters not just learning but creativity and collaboration among peers.

The Hiragana Connection

A distinct feature of the domino set is that each animal's mouth is illustrated in the shape of the corresponding hiragana character it represents. This thoughtful design acts as a helpful cue for children learning the characters, allowing for the construction of words through play.

A Playful Learning Experience

Both sides of the domino pieces are thoughtfully designed; the back showcases the rear views of the animals. This encourages children to turn the pieces over to guess which animal they see, adding an educational element to the play. The design further nurtures cognitive skills and creative thinking.

Manufacturer's Insight: The Heart Behind the Hiragana Domino

According to Yoko Tsukada, the representative director of Nihigan, the inspiration behind the Animal-filled Hiragana Domino stems from an understanding kids’ natural ability to learn language through mimicking sounds and mouth movements of adults. Tsukada emphasized, **“We wanted to create a toy that maximizes the concept of ‘imitation’ to make learning hiragana enjoyable!