Japanese Koi Gift

I bought a koi gift in Nara and my Mom wants to know the meaning of the ball that's inside. Any help?

Can you upload the picture?

I don't have a picture, but it's a very small figure with a rope attached at the end. Inside there's a ball that rattles.

Like this?
http://www.miyosida.com/dorei/animal/fish/fish2.html
Then I think what you've got is a cray bell. It was initially considered a musical instrument to invite gods and rattling sounds are also regarded to expel evil spirits.

It looks like the blue one. Thanks for your help.

Where are the best places to watch koi in Japan? Are there koi museums, exebitions or gardens devoted to this beautiful fish?

Where in Tokyo is the best place to buy Japanese style lamps? Can I buy them anywear?

Paul

Well, if you are going to be in Tokyo, you can see Koi at the pond in the iris garden at Meiji Jingu (shrine)

Pretty much any garden that has a pond in Japan will have them. Also, Sankei-en in Yokohama (http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/facilities/gar...) is nice and has them. Kenroku-en in Kanazawa has many

But like I said, any large traditional Japanee garden will most likely have them

For seeing koi I like Inokashira Park (although there was a die-off last year so there are not nearly as many now), and the pond in the garden behind Yasukuni shrine- there is even a vending machine selling little boxes of carp food to feed them and on weekdays there is rarely anyone else there.