Name: Folk Toys of the World - Collection of the Japan Toy Museum (Folk Art Series)
SKU: 9784908465147
Availability: OutOfStock

This book features a selection of charming toys, dolls, and religious decorations from the museum’s collection of over 90,000 “World Folk Toys.” It highlights their appeal through vivid photographs and detailed explanations.

Additionally, the book focuses on five countries known for their rich tradition of folk toys, exploring their history and the current state of their craftsmanship. It also delves into the universal nature and regional uniqueness of folk toys through ten different themes.

In 1963, Shigeyoshi Inoue, then a private railway employee, was inspired by a book that made him aware of the global disappearance of handmade toys, a cultural heritage related to children. He began collecting folk toys from all over Japan while working his regular job. In 1974, he established the Japan Toy Museum in a small town on the outskirts of Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, to display his collection. With numerous donations of large collections, the museum grew to become one of Japan’s leading toy museums. In 2016, it earned a two-star rating from Michelin, gaining recognition both domestically and internationally.

The book’s craftsmanship, designed by Yosuke Jikuhara, is also noteworthy, resembling a fine work of art.

Category：Japanese Craft Book, Japanese Product design Book

Tag：folk craft, folk toys

Pages：: 160
ISBN：: 9784908465147
Release Date:: September, 2020
Language:: Japanese
Publisher:: Daifuku shorin

Author profile

Ayame Osaki

Architect. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1971. After completing a master’s program in architecture at Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering, he worked at Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects. In 2005, he established Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office, became an associate professor at Kyoto University in 2015, and a professor in 2018. His major works include “Masuya Honten,” “Bloomberg Pavilion,” “Ota City Museum & Library,” “Tree-ness House,” “Overlap House,” “Yatsushiro City Folk Performing Arts Heritage Center,” “HARAKADO,” and the “Nerima City Art Museum & Nukui Library” (scheduled for completion in 2028). His major awards include the SD Review, JIA Newcomer Award, the Golden Lion at the 13th Venice Biennale of Architecture (jointly awarded), the Murano Togo Prize (Ota City Museum & Library), the BCS Award (Ota City Museum & Library), and the Architectural Institute of Japan Award (Ota City Museum & Library).