🎎 Vintage Japanese Wooden Yo-Yo (たきぐちみほ) – Showa Era Toy – Japan Antique Roadshow
🎎 This nostalgic wooden Japanese yo-yo (ヨーヨー) likely dates from the mid to late Shōwa period (昭和時代, 1926–1989), a time when such simple, handcrafted toys were cherished by children across Japan. Carved from natural wood and fitted with a traditional loop-string, this yo-yo is a humble artifact of everyday play. The string remains attached, though it no longer functions as a toy.
Most striking is the handwritten name on one side: たきぐち みほ (Takiguchi Miho)—written entirely in hiragana (ひらがな), the phonetic script often used by or for young children. The use of hiragana throughout gives the piece a soft, affectionate tone and suggests it once belonged to a very young child, possibly labeled by a teacher or caregiver. It’s a quiet but touching window into the life of a child in postwar Japan.
The yo-yo weighs just under 50 grams and measures approximately 5.5 cm in diameter and 3.5 cm in thickness. Though no longer functional as a toy, it remains rich with character, warmth, and a deeply personal patina of age.
This piece is ideal for collectors of Japanese vintage items, toy enthusiasts, or anyone interested in mingei (民芸, folk craft) and the material culture of Japan’s Shōwa era.
Curated with care in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this small toy speaks volumes. It reminds us of the hands that once played with it, the name spoken aloud, the moment a child learned to read and write her own identity.
Embark with Kurt, an American journeyman born in 1964, as he explores Japan’s cultural and spiritual legacy through artifacts both ordinary and extraordinary. With Stoic reflection and insights from his memoir Going Alone, each object becomes a gateway to story, memory, and The Good Life. 🌄📚🎎
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Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.