In Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, handcrafted toy quail are a craft tradition handed down over generations. Quails have been a beloved and familiar bird in this region since the Edo period and are considered a symbol of longevity. The toys are made of wood from elm trees, and people play with them by pulling them or squeezing their tail to make a sound resembling the cry of a quail. The patterns painted on the back of the toys are said to suggest the influence of foreign culture.