What kind of leaf does Totoro carry in My Neighbor Totoro?
It looks to me like a banana leaf, but I have not been able to confirm this. Side question: I've seen it said that he uses it as a "hat" - is this the official interpretation? I've always thought it was used as an umbrella.
Best Answer
Looks like a Giant Butterbur to me (Petasites Japonicus:
They are native to Japan and are a similar scale when adult, also bearing many aesthetic similarities.
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What kind of leaf is Totoro holding?
In fact, the big leaf in the film really exists in Japan. Its name is fuki\u30d5\u30ad(\u5c71\u8557) . It is native to Japan, where the shoots are used as a vegetable. Japanese immigrants have also introduced it to southern British Columbia.Why does Totoro wear a leaf?
He wears a simple leaf to protect him from the rain: Satsuki gives him their father's umbrella. Totoro is intrigued by the sound of rain dripping from the trees landing on the umbrella, and even playfully jumps on the ground to cause more to fall.What are the creatures in My Neighbor Totoro?
Satsuki and Mei find that the house is inhabited by tiny animated dust creatures called Sootballs - small, dark, dust-like house spirits seen when moving from light to dark places.Is Totoro the God of Death?
The legend goes as follows: Totoro is the God of Death, and anyone who can see him is either dead or close to dying. The affirmation is strong enough on its own. We know Miyazaki looooves metaphors, and Studio Ghibli seems to have a weak spot for gods and spirits.BEST PART from the movie 'MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO' (1988)
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