✳︎Title: Tales of Local Toys ✳︎Author: Shigeo Miyao ✳︎Publisher: Shinshindo Publishing Co., Ltd. ✳︎Date of Publication: December 10, 1977 (First Edition) ✳︎Pages: 141p ✳︎Size: A5 《Contents》 Tales of Local Toys Festival Toys and Their Scenes Toys and Children Good Luck Charms Horse Toys Toys and Children Good Luck Charm Toys Toys of the Edo Period Ema (Votive Tablets) Edo Toys Foxes and Tanuki (Raccoon Dogs) Toy Stories Local Toys Foxes and Tanuki of Edo Toy Stories People Who Preserve Tradition Toy Molds Toy Stories People Who Preserve Tradition This book, "Tales of Local Toys," is a valuable record of Japanese local toys, written by Mr. Shigeo Miyao. Mr. Miyao spent many years traveling throughout Japan, meticulously documenting traditional toys that were disappearing, and the people who made them. This book is not just a picture book, but a report that delves deeply into the thoughts of the people behind each toy, the social background of the time, and the lives of the artisans. When you turn the pages of this book, the first thing that catches your eye is the photographs of a wide variety of local toys. From simple straw horses to humorous clay dolls and brightly colored papier-mâché tigers, the unique beauty of each region's creations is introduced. Particularly impressive are the many toys with regional characteristics, such as the Sasamaki dolls of Akita, the twisted clay dolls of Aomori, and the Hagoita horses of Nagano. These were not just playthings, but the embodiment of people's prayers for a bountiful harvest and the healthy growth of children. At the time, Japanese local toys were being pushed aside by mass-produced modern toys in the midst of rapid economic growth, and their survival was in jeopardy. However, enthusiasts and researchers like Mr. Miyao recognized their value, recorded them, and worked tirelessly to pass them on to future generations. This book offers a glimpse of that activity. For example, it shows the figure of an old craftsman making toys. His hands remember the feel of the clay from years of work, as if he is breathing life into each doll. Mr. Miyao's writing quietly tells the story of each toy. For example, the Hachiman horses of Aomori are toys modeled after horses, the gods of agriculture, and were also proof of the faith that was closely connected to people's lives. "Tales of Local Toys" is not just a book for collectors, but a book that will carefully inherit a piece of Japanese culture, the historical value of which is increasingly appreciated. #LocalToys #ShigeoMiyao