Local Toys Color Edition

This book introduces local toys that have been passed down from generation to generation in various parts of Japan with a wealth of illustrations and explanations.

The book carefully explores the appeal of toys that, with their simple shapes and colors, are imbued with the local climate, beliefs, and memories of daily life.

Sonobe Kiyoshi, who is in charge of the photography, is a photographer who has worked on numerous projects focusing on folk arts, crafts, and lifestyle culture, and is well-known for his ability to quietly capture the texture and atmosphere of his subjects.
The commentator, Ryosuke Saito, has long been involved in researching and introducing local toys and folk materials, and accurately interprets the history and meaning behind the toys.

This book combines both perspectives, allowing readers to enjoy local toys from both the "fun to see" and "interesting to learn about."

[Featured toys (listed in order, partial excerpt)]
Fire-prevention Daruma (Miyagi) / Hirosaki Umako (Aomori) / Gold Beko (Iwate) / Namahage (Akita) / Pigeon Whistle (Aomori) / Ejiko (Akita) / Hijiori Kokeshi (Yamagata) / Naruko Kokeshi (Miyagi) / Miharukoma (Fukushima) / Sasano Carving (Yamagata) / Celebration Tree (Akita) / Deer Dance (Iwate) / Sappa Boat (Miyagi) / Gongen-san (Iwate) / Itaya Fox (Akita) / Nipopo (Hokkaido) / Treasure Boat (Yamagata) / Paper Dog Mache (Tokyo) / Lion's Head (Saitama) / Imado Clay Doll (Tokyo) / Spiral Catfish (Tochigi) / Millet Husk Crafts (Tochigi) / Crow Fan (Tokyo) / Daruma Doll with a Child (Yamanashi) / Hachimantai Okiagari (Ishikawa) / Slow-witted Doll (Niigata) / Neck Doll (Shizuoka) / Spinning Mouse (Aichi)

[Title] Local Toys Color Edition
[Publisher] Ie no Hikari Kyokai
[Date of publication] 1978
[Number of pages] 195 pages
[Size] Approx. 223*312*34mm, 1495g
[Format] Hardcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] Today's Gun Color Bang
[Authors/Editors] Kiyoshi Sonobe/Photography, Ryosuke Saito/Commentary
[printing]
[ISBN] 0072542410301
[Condition] Used [ 6 ] Above average to average
[Accessories] Box
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Kiyoshi Sonobe

Born in Tsukudajima, Kyobashi Ward, Tokyo (now Chuo Ward) in 1921. Photographer.
In 1937, he began working at the bookstore Kinshodo, where he was involved in darkroom work through the sale of bromides. From 1940, he was in charge of photography and the darkroom at Sobi Shokai.
In 1943, he joined Tohosha and studied under Kimura Ihei. After returning from the battlefield, he worked as Kimura's assistant at Sun-News Photos in 1947, where he was in charge of photography and the darkroom for Weekly Sun-News.
In 1950, he joined Iwanami Productions and photographed around 60 books for the Iwanami Photo Library, before going freelance in 1957.
He has received high praise for his photographs of Japanese lifestyles and culture, including folk tools, local toys, temples and shrines, and local customs, and has received the Photographic Society of Japan Award and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
His representative works include "Japanese Folk Toys," "Japanese Folk Tools," and "Japanese Clay Dolls," among many others.
Passed away in 1996.

Ryosuke Saito

Born in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture in 1911.
Toy researcher and newspaper journalist. After attending the former Ota Junior High School, he graduated from the English Literature Department of the Faculty of Letters at Waseda University in 1935.
He joined the Asahi Shimbun Company in 1936 as a reporter in the social affairs department, and was drafted during the war. After the war, he worked in the editorial and publishing department, and in 1954 he served as deputy editor of Weekly Asahi. After retiring in 1966, he became a visiting reporter for the company.
After retiring, he devoted himself to toy research, researching and introducing the history and background of local toys and toy culture from all over Japan. He also served as a lecturer at Joshi Seigakuin Junior College from 1970. He has written many books, including "Stories of Local Toys," "Local Toys of Japan," and "Showa Toy Culture History."
He has compiled many dictionaries and edited many books in collaboration with photographers, and is one of the leading figures in toy research in Japan.
Passed away in 1996.

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