Amanojaku to Hesomagari is an artist based out of Saitama, and he is determined to change the way most people react to bugs and critters.
In an interview with YouPooch, the artist explains that society has taken on the unrealistic idea that the world, and all that’s in it, somehow belongs to them. A consequence of this ideology is that the importance or beauty of a creature is based solely on our preference for it. If we think it’s cute, we care for it and even emulate them in our handbags, clothing, and accessories. If a poor creature gets coined as “ugly” though, people care nothing for the creature, its lifespan, or protecting its habitat.
Believe it or not, when we judge an animal or insect as ugly, we condemn them to a life of struggling to survive. As Hesomagari puts it, though, who are we to judge a creature as cute or ugly?
The artist has been creating hyper-realistic handbags, backpacks, keychains, and other accessories in the shape of some of the lesser-loved species on the planet. He hopes to bring attention to the animals’ and insects’ own unique form of beauty, and the really crazy part is that it’s actually working!
Here are 35 incredibly realistic creepy, crawly, critter accessories that will change the way you think about the wonderful world around you.
1. Sting Ray Lip Balm Carrier
While a stingray might seem just a bit creepy hovering over the ocean floor, they make an adorable model for a lip balm carrier. We’ve got to admit, seeing how charming they can be, we don’t understand why they bury themselves in the sandy seafloor mud. Maybe they’re just afraid we’re still holding a grudge over Steve Irwin.
2. Beetle Larvae Satchel
When someone hears the words “beetle larvae”, it’s not likely that the word “cute” is going to come to mind. When you see somebody repping a satchel shaped like a giant Hercules Beetle larvae, you might just change your mind. Also known as grubs, beetle larvae are really just charming, chubby worms with a serious case of the munchies. The artist capitalizes on their cuter attributes.
3. Grasshopper Bag
These fun critters are potentially one of the most ancient herbivorous chewing insects on the planet, dating all the way back to 250 million years ago. Far from the pest they’re seen as today, they used to be revered as the symbol of ancient Athens, and in dreams represented freedom, independence, and spiritual enlightenment.
4. The Artist’s Sturgeon Case
These giant bottom-feeding fish are living fossils as well, dating nearly as far back as the grasshopper, to 245 million years ago. Even so, they are classified as endangered and heartbreakingly close to extinction due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
5. Pouch of Crested Grebes
These gorgeously goofy birds were once almost hunted into extinction in the 1800s for their pretty feathers as hat decorations. After being classified as a protected species, they are slowly becoming a common sight again on lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds.
6. Coelacanth “Hollow Spine” Fish Bag
If you’re going to have a bag hanging from your arm, it might as well be a stylish one. Their name, Coelacanth, is Greek for “hollow spine” and, as you can guess, that’s exactly what they have. More amazing is that these bad boys can grow to 6 1/2 feet long and weigh 200 pounds, not to mention that they can live for up to 60 years!
7. The artist has a sense of humor; The Giant Flea Bag
This one might have just been an artistic manifestation of a brilliant pun by the artist. Fleas aren’t normally considered to be cute critters. They sure can be pretty charming when they’re turned into a fleabag, though! At least, they’re certainly more adorable than their human counterparts.
8. Flying squirrel with case
We aren’t sure that anyone ever really needed a reason to love flying squirrels, but this bag definitely adds another to the list. It unrolls into a zippered pouch and conveniently wraps up inside of its hollow tree branch carrying case. This may just be the most adorable bag on the planet!
9. Caterpillar Tie
Everyone knows that one co-worker who has to sport the coolest tie. Well, now you can totally outdo them with this adorable caterpillar one. It might creep a few people out but, trust us, you don’t want that kind of friendship anyway. If someone has something against these cute crawling critters, then it’s more than possible that they have no soul.
10. Artist’s take on Gengorou – The Great Diving Beetle
We already know that Packers and Ducks fans will make this beetle their newest honorary member, but there’s more to them than just their color. They are superior navigators, traveling by the light of the moon while flying to find better waters more suited to their needs. Their “needs” being slow or still freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and loughs, as well as food which can be anything from tadpoles and mosquitos to full-blown fish. The detail the artist poured into this is just astounding.
11. Leatherback Sea Turtle Pack
If you’ve got a lot of stuff to cram in your bag, then you definitely want the Leatherback pack. These sea turtles aren’t only the biggest of their kind, they’re also the biggest living reptile on the planet. They can weigh up to an astounding 2,000+ pounds and, rather than just a hard shell, their back is covered in a tough, hide like skin, giving them the name Leatherback. They can also dive to nearly 4,000 feet, right next to some of the deepest diving whales known to man.
12. Yanbaru Kuina (Okinawa Rail) Pouch
Rail birds are a ground-dwelling species, and the Yanbaru Kuina is unique to Okinawa island. Though this species wasn’t formally recognized until 1978, they have still managed to make the endangered species list due to non-native predators coupled with habitat destruction.
13. Crayfish Neck Pouch
Smaller than their delicacy of a cousin, lobsters, crayfish don’t get nearly as much attention, and in some ways, that’s maybe for the best. Smart little critters, they live in freshwater environments that aren’t prone to freezing.
While you might swim in the clear waters of a strong flowing river and never see a one, come back at dark with a flashlight in hand and you’ll realize you were swimming in a den of them. The bottom feeders hide beneath smooth flat stones near currents in the river during the day and do their traveling and feeding by night.
14. Oceanic White-Tipped Shark and Brimodoki Lure Bag
Sharks have gotten a bad rep over the years, but some are to be less feared than others. Such is the White-tipped reef shark, which only grows to around 5 feet on average and 40 pounds, and is generally harmless when it comes to humans. Curious sea creatures, they will come close to swimmers to investigate them, but usually don’t attack. They’re smart, though, too and will listen for the sound of a spear gun or a dropping anchor to come and steal a fisherman’s catch.
15. Beetle Gift Card Holder
Beetles are another critter that commonly gets snubbed when it comes to cute and cuddly creatures. Regardless, they are also some of the most resilient insects on the planet. Considering that they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, it could be argued that they have more style than any other creature out there, and they definitely look adorable carrying your gift cards.
16. Supponmodoki (Pig-Nosed Turtle) Pack
To be honest, we had never even heard of a pig-nosed turtle before we saw this adorable pack by Hesomagari. Now that we have, though, we can totally see why he was inspired to make it. According to the artist, there is no rigid list to follow when it comes to what he will create next. Instead, he lets nature inspire him and just picks the ones that he favors or that speaks to him at the time.
17. Caterpillar Sling Pouch
As adults, it can be easy to forget the natural wonder and curiosity we held for the world. While we used to find caterpillars to be charming, curious little creatures that would one day transform into a beautiful butterfly, now you may find yourself secretly plotting to kill them before they eat the pretty leaves of your plants.
Hesomagari does an amazing job of restoring the sense of wonder from our earlier years with his accessories by magnifying the beautiful details of their character.
18. A Flying Squirrel Pouch
Who wouldn’t want one of these cute, fuzzy, pouches? Any little girl would be sure to love it, and we think adults will, too. It even comes with a baby flying squirrel that can be rolled up into the inner pouch, and it has a mini-pouch of its own, too.
19. Spider Bag
If you have arachnophobia, then this bag may not be the right one for you. On the other hand, the adorable bugged out eyes and the way it looks like it just wants to crawl up your arm and hug you makes us wonder if this exactly the bag you need to help you dislodge you of your fears.
20. Abyssinian colobus monkey
These cute cuddlers are also known as the Mantled guereza. It gets the name from the pristine white mantle that runs down each side of its body. They are sociable little fellas and hang out in groups of up to fifteen, and are known for their chorus of “roars” in the morning and night, which can be heard over a mile away.
21. Snake Dragonfly larvae sling
This bag showcases the amazing detail that the artist infuses into his projects. No mandible, feelers, or tiny little legs left out. How could you not marvel at such an amazing creature up close and personal?
22. Shrimp purse
Although many people love to eat them up, shrimp aren’t given as much credit as they should be in the cuteness department. With their tiny but chubby, curling bodies and their little feelers, they are as charming as any critter.
23. White-tailed Weevil Wrist Pouch
Weevils are another insect that gets stereotyped a little too quickly. While there are thousands of weevil species, and many that do devastate agricultural crops, its not always the case with every species. Let’s face it, some of them are pretty darn cute, too, and the artist totally brings those characteristics to the forefront with this wrist pouch.
24. Staghorn Dragonfly pencil pouch
We aren’t sure why the artist calls this a Staghorn dragonfly, or if that’s even a formal species of insect, but the detail and stitchwork here is absolutely phenomenal. If it is a real species, we are definitely curious about it now.
25. Hazel Clips
These charming little beetle clips take them out of the realm of a creepy critter to the cutest bugs ever! We think we’ll take the whole lot of them!
26. Dimetrodon
Okay, so this dinosaur isn’t really an animal, but it’s not a dinosaur, either. Belonging to the synapsid group, which basically means “mammal-like reptile”, these misunderstood creatures predate dinosaurs and reptiles both by up to 40 million years. So, we think it’s fitting that he found a place in the artist’s unique collection.
27. Madagascar gourd trash bag
We can only assume the artist’s title is referring to the materials he used to make this gigantic ant. Honestly, it may not make ants seem “cuter” but it does make them look a lot more badass.
28. Onibou Hula bag
If you live in an area where hula dancing is a big deal, then you want this bag. You’ll definitely make an impression with an enormous tropical fish hanging from your side with your gear in it.
29. Chestnut keychain
We don’t know what this adorable little sea creature is, but we know that we would love to have him on our key chain! Just look at that unbelievably cute face!
30. Critter thimbles
It seems there is no end to what the artist can do with his craft. Into sewing? Never prick your finger again with one of these thick, durable thimbles. The best part? Their cuteness makes the best conversation starter.
31. Spider lip balm case
Again, this isn’t for you if you have a deathly fear of spiders. If you don’t though, this fella is pretty darn cute and would be sure to keep your lip balm safe from the sticky fingers of sisters and besties.
32. Pelican purse
This pelican purse beat the heck out of all the owl styled ones the stores are overflowing with these days. Look at all the character in it, like he’s about to open that big ol’ beak and start chatting you up!
33. Convertible “Dandelion” Sling
Rollie pollie ollies, potato bugs, pillbugs… there are a thousand different names for this insect that people use to avoid its real one; a woodlouse. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change how cute they are when they get scared and roll up on you, or how useful this feature is when applied to a handbag.
34. The most precious beetle on the planet
The artist left this bag accessory unlabeled, but it might just be the cutest thing on the list. With the way his little legs are lifted up and a seeming smile on his face, he’s just the most charming beetle ever, and the zippered butt makes for the perfect stash spot.
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35. Galleyworm
This beautiful millipede is called Baba-yasude in Japan, and they can frequently be found along the forest floor hiding out beneath dead, fallen leaves and clinging to rotting wood. While they don’t have a thousand legs like a true millipede, you can see that they aren’t lacking in them, either. With a beautiful blue color like that, it’s no wonder Hesomagari found inspiration in it.
These are only a fraction of the amazing critter-inspired artworks that the artist has crafted. Bringing his unique perspective into the mix, his work is slowly infusing people with a natural curiosity for the world around them. Hopefully, they will soon realize what Hesomagari has; the world does not belong only to humans.
To see more of his awesome craft, visit his website.
