Moving Folk Toys Around the World

A book showcasing “karakuri toys,” which highlight the skills of craftsmen and artisans, now rare in modern times. These moving toys, made from inexpensive and common materials like paper and wood, are presented beautifully. The book is packed with toys from the five continents and valuable Japanese karakuri folk toys.

This book does not feature expensive and complex karakuri toys and automata, such as tea-serving dolls. Instead, it focuses on simple and intelligent toys made from inexpensive materials and simple mechanisms, reminiscent of what children in Japan played with after the war. They are very enjoyable to play with.

Karakuri toys from a time before intellectual property concepts can be found all over the world. Many of them can be made by hand, so readers are encouraged to try making them themselves.