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| Design - Tin Cars Exhibit |
In Occupied Japan, one of the first words Japanese children learned was, 'Jeep'. In August 1945 a local toy manufacturer,
Matsuzo Kosuge was desperate to produce a new hit toy, now that it was legal to use metal for consumer goods again. Logically, he
fashioned a little jeep out of tin. Although crude, a department store sold the shipment out in hours. Thus was born the post-war
boom in Japanese Buriki, which has come to mean Tin Toys, and in particular, replicas of classic American cars.
Matsuzo Kosuge was desperate to produce a new hit toy, now that it was legal to use metal for consumer goods again. Logically, he
fashioned a little jeep out of tin. Although crude, a department store sold the shipment out in hours. Thus was born the post-war
boom in Japanese Buriki, which has come to mean Tin Toys, and in particular, replicas of classic American cars.
The Japan Society in NYC has an exhibit of about 70 of
these wonderful toys - many are now quite rare.
The US Occupation Forces encouraged the production of
these little cars because it served two needs - Japan needed to
get back to a peaceful exports, and there was a serious toy
drought in America because of the war effort.
And who know? Maybe someday Japan would try their hand
at making a real car...
The result is a fascinating series of tin cars produced for the
next decade. More manufacturers became interested, and soon
little car parts were being stamped using miniature machines
similar to real Detroit methods. The attention paid to detail in
many of these toys is breathtaking. Look at the chrome and
mirrors on the Imperial below.
these wonderful toys - many are now quite rare.
The US Occupation Forces encouraged the production of
these little cars because it served two needs - Japan needed to
get back to a peaceful exports, and there was a serious toy
drought in America because of the war effort.
And who know? Maybe someday Japan would try their hand
at making a real car...
The result is a fascinating series of tin cars produced for the
next decade. More manufacturers became interested, and soon
little car parts were being stamped using miniature machines
similar to real Detroit methods. The attention paid to detail in
many of these toys is breathtaking. Look at the chrome and
mirrors on the Imperial below.
Much of the production was assembled by
hand, and details became more elaborate. The
most famous manufacturer, Murusan,
employed real chrome components on their
Cadillac replications.
Some models has working lights, friction
motors,and working doors. One of the cars we
looked at had a tiny trunk with an elegant little
hinge to allow the door to stay up (see image at
page bottom).
Every brand with glamor was reproduced -
Buick, Ford, Cadillac, Packard (The Packard
Patrician 400 - now THAT'S a car name!).
Not all the tin toys had quality detail, of
course, but the best are simply a delight to see.
hand, and details became more elaborate. The
most famous manufacturer, Murusan,
employed real chrome components on their
Cadillac replications.
Some models has working lights, friction
motors,and working doors. One of the cars we
looked at had a tiny trunk with an elegant little
hinge to allow the door to stay up (see image at
page bottom).
Every brand with glamor was reproduced -
Buick, Ford, Cadillac, Packard (The Packard
Patrician 400 - now THAT'S a car name!).
Not all the tin toys had quality detail, of
course, but the best are simply a delight to see.
I especially loved the little
Studebaker Coupe.
At right is an wonderful
wired remote-control Buick
LeSabre with real horn,
steering, forward/reverse and
lights!
Imagine finding this under
the tree in 1959!
Studebaker Coupe.
At right is an wonderful
wired remote-control Buick
LeSabre with real horn,
steering, forward/reverse and
lights!
Imagine finding this under
the tree in 1959!
Tiny vacationers
wave at us
wave at us
Admiring these little cars, i
realized that I was really admiring
not only the terrific Japanese
handicraft, but the glamor and style
of the days when the American
Automobile inspired us with daring
design. They helped define a new
lifestyle of hope and acceleration in
more ways than one.
On the way back, we passed a
shop window crammed with
contemporary toy cars. Compare
their lifelessness and lack of style,
and be thankful that replicas of real
automobiles still exist and are
appreciated.
realized that I was really admiring
not only the terrific Japanese
handicraft, but the glamor and style
of the days when the American
Automobile inspired us with daring
design. They helped define a new
lifestyle of hope and acceleration in
more ways than one.
On the way back, we passed a
shop window crammed with
contemporary toy cars. Compare
their lifelessness and lack of style,
and be thankful that replicas of real
automobiles still exist and are
appreciated.