Toy Robots from Japan:
Techno Fantasies
Alan Bunkum
Schiffer Publishing
www.schifferbooks.com
Techno Fantasies
Alan Bunkum
Schiffer Publishing
www.schifferbooks.com
how, to the Japanese, these items were more than just low cost export goods. Making the
connection between the manufacture of toy robots and Zen Buddhist philosophy, the
author illustrates this point. It's explained that "only in Japan" could the toy robot be
perfected and elevated to a cultural icon. The connection of toy manufacturing to the
"Jocho" of the Japanese Tea Ceremony is a deep but appropriate analogy. In short, the
Japanese made toy robots, because they were compelled to.
connection between the manufacture of toy robots and Zen Buddhist philosophy, the
author illustrates this point. It's explained that "only in Japan" could the toy robot be
perfected and elevated to a cultural icon. The connection of toy manufacturing to the
"Jocho" of the Japanese Tea Ceremony is a deep but appropriate analogy. In short, the
Japanese made toy robots, because they were compelled to.
Don't be scared away by this book's Japanese
social commentary, there are also plenty of "pretty
pictures" inside. Toy Robots from Japan, is a
stylish, informative and entertaining book that
would appeal to the curious as well as the serious
collector. Fifty years of toy robots from the 1950s
until today are vividly illustrated in full color
photos, as well as vintage technical drawings.
From the tin plate robots of the 50s and 60s, the
plastic creations of the 70s and 80s to the hi-tech
creations of today, this book is surprisingly
complete. Much of the research for this book was
done in Japan, using first-hand interviews with
company executives, designers and craftsmen.
Along with the high quality images, each
robot is also dated and described by
manufacturer, size, function and value. However,
many of the prices listed are rather on the high
side. Some, twice that of current eBay values.
social commentary, there are also plenty of "pretty
pictures" inside. Toy Robots from Japan, is a
stylish, informative and entertaining book that
would appeal to the curious as well as the serious
collector. Fifty years of toy robots from the 1950s
until today are vividly illustrated in full color
photos, as well as vintage technical drawings.
From the tin plate robots of the 50s and 60s, the
plastic creations of the 70s and 80s to the hi-tech
creations of today, this book is surprisingly
complete. Much of the research for this book was
done in Japan, using first-hand interviews with
company executives, designers and craftsmen.
Along with the high quality images, each
robot is also dated and described by
manufacturer, size, function and value. However,
many of the prices listed are rather on the high
side. Some, twice that of current eBay values.
On the whole, Toy Robots from Japan is very informative and entertaining, but the layout
makes this book a bit painful to read. The text is extremely small and printed in strange
"angular" paragraphs. Apparently the publisher wanted to impress the reader with style,
when larger text in standard orientation would have been more effective. Although
Transformer toys are considered an important part of Japanese robot culture, they are
not even mentioned in this book. While classic robot fans may not miss the absence of
Transformers, others may be disappointed. If you played with toy robots as a child or were
ever curious about Japanese toys, Toy Robots from Japan is certainly worth a look.
Darryl Dupuis
Darryl "Robotnut" Dupuis is a serious vintage toy collector and a handy robot
repairman (thanks Darryl!). At last count he has 700 toys in his collection. Darryl will
be exhibiting his robot and space toy collection this year at Science City in Windsor,
Ontario. Visit Darryl’s great web site: www.robotnut.com, "the ultimate archive of
toy robot images." While you there be sure to listen to the garagey novelty song
"Mechanical Man" by Bent Bolts and the Nuts circa 1966.
Drastic Plastic Press
makes this book a bit painful to read. The text is extremely small and printed in strange
"angular" paragraphs. Apparently the publisher wanted to impress the reader with style,
when larger text in standard orientation would have been more effective. Although
Transformer toys are considered an important part of Japanese robot culture, they are
not even mentioned in this book. While classic robot fans may not miss the absence of
Transformers, others may be disappointed. If you played with toy robots as a child or were
ever curious about Japanese toys, Toy Robots from Japan is certainly worth a look.
Darryl Dupuis
Darryl "Robotnut" Dupuis is a serious vintage toy collector and a handy robot
repairman (thanks Darryl!). At last count he has 700 toys in his collection. Darryl will
be exhibiting his robot and space toy collection this year at Science City in Windsor,
Ontario. Visit Darryl’s great web site: www.robotnut.com, "the ultimate archive of
toy robot images." While you there be sure to listen to the garagey novelty song
"Mechanical Man" by Bent Bolts and the Nuts circa 1966.
Drastic Plastic Press
Shortly after World War II, Japanese industry was refocused on
the manufacture of small consumer goods like cameras, radios,
and toys. Toy Robots from Japan, by Alan Bunkum, explains
the manufacture of small consumer goods like cameras, radios,
and toys. Toy Robots from Japan, by Alan Bunkum, explains