shiroaiko

I'm finally done with my translation! We got 3 parts in the book which talk about the "foreign" issue. Because of the redundancy, 2 passages are selected for the translation. Quote #1 is on page 27, from Nobuo KUMAGAI's "Pictorial Guide to the Japanese Tin Toys --- The Japanese Tin Toys from 1880's to 2010's. " or 「日本のブリキ玩具図鑑」Sogensha, Osaka, Japan.（2023) 戦争の時代とブリキ玩具の製造禁止 Wartime and Production Ban of Tin Toys 1920年代まではブリキ玩具にとっておおむね幸せな時代が続いたが、 For the tin toy industry, the period until the 1920’s was generally a happy time, 以降は多難な時代となる。 while it faced full of challenges thereafter. 支那事変、満州事変と日本は戦争の時代に入り、 After the Sino-Japanese War and the Mukden Incident, Japan entered the period of wartime. ついには太平洋戦争が始まると、ブリキ玩具の製造は窮地に陥った。 With the onset of the Pacific War, tin toy production finally got into a dire situation. まず、1938（昭和13）年には国内向けの金属玩具の販売が禁止された。 First of all, in 1938 (Showa 13), selling metal toys for the domestic consumption was prohibited. 国内向けとあるように、 As indicated by “for domestic consumption,” 海外輸出用のブリキ玩具は引き続き製造された。 tin toys for export continued to be manufactured. 外貨獲得のためである。 This was for the purpose of earning foreign currency. ただし「MADE IN JAPAN」の表記は「FOREIGN」に改められた。 However, the labeling of “MADE IN JAPAN” was changed to “FOREIGN” . この時期のおもちゃには「MADE IN JAPAN」の表記が削り取られたり、 During this period, the inscriptions on the toys were scraped off ラッカーで塗りつぶされたりしているものもある。 or covered up with paint for some cases. Quote #2 is from page 78. ブリキ玩具の代用品　 Substitute for Tin Toys 日中戦争の長期化によって金属資源の不足が懸念されるようになると、 As concerns grew over the shortage of metal resources due to the prolonged Sino-Japanese War, 金属以外の材料の使用が推奨された。 the use of non-metal materials was encouraged. それでもブリキ玩具は作られていたが、 Despite this, tin toys were still being produced. 1938（昭和13）年にはブリキを含む金属玩具の国内向けの製造が禁止された。 In 1938 (Showa 13) the metal toy production for domestic market, including tin toys, was banned. もっとも、製造会社は事前にブリキを買い込んでおり、 However, most manufacturing companies had already stocked up on tinplate beforehand, 材料や生産計画を中止することは困難であったし、 making it difficult to halt materials and production plans. 外貨獲得のため海外向けの製品は引き続き作られていたこともあって、 Due to the need for foreign currency, toys for overseas markets continued to be produced. 実際にはブリキ玩具はしばらくの間市場に流通していたという。 As a result, tin toys were still circulating in the market for some time. なお、この頃には海外向け製品には、 Furthermore, during this period, for export products, 欧米の対日感情を考慮し、 the anti-Japanese sentiments in Europe and the United States was taken into the account, 「MADE IN JAPAN」の代わりに「FOREIGN」を使っていた。 and "FOREIGN" was used instead of "MADE IN JAPAN". しかし、1940年になると欧米で日本製玩具の輸入が相次いで禁止され、 However, in 1940 the importation of Japanese-made toys was increasingly prohibited in Europe and the United States. さらに1941年には国内金属製品の回収が始まり、 Moreover, in 1941, the domestic collection of metal products began. 金属玩具の販売ができなくなった。 Selling metal toys within the country was no longer possible. このため、ブリキの代わりに木材などを使ったブリキ玩具の代用品が作られるようになったのである。 Substitutes for tin toys, which were made from materials such as wood, were produced for this reason. I will explain Mr Kumagai's background in the next post.

You are a genius😃! It didn't come up to my mind!

I've got the permission! My translation would take some time, but look forward to it!

The book information: Nobuo KUMAGAI, "The Japanese Tin Toys from 1880's to 2010's" 熊谷信夫「日本のブリキ玩具図鑑」Sogen-sha, Osaka, 2023. The parts referring to "foreign" are p. 27 and 78. One good news is the passages show English words such as "Made in Japan" and "Foreign" and a photograph of tin toy with a "foreign" impression. This morning I sent an email asking Mr. Kumagai if I can get a permission for line-to-line translation and post it to marble forums. He answered me right away that he would ask the publisher. Japan is in the beginning of Golden Week, national holidays where people would take 7-10 days vacation. The answer would take time.

I recently read an article which I understand to be a translated version of the original. (「大阪貿易館 1956年 晩秋号」"Osaka Trade Agency, 1956 Late Autumn issue" pp.29-30. Nov. 1956) The title is the same but in Japanese. The translator's name isn't fully given. We only know the initial letter of the surname "河". If I add a few things to the summary, it would be the names of the factories. The second factory in Hong Kong was Yu Man Marble factory which started in June 1955, and the third one was World-Light Manufacturing Co. in August 1955. The largest Hong Kong Marble Glass Manufactory had 5 furnaces and 10 marble machines especially designed for marble produce, employing 120 full-time male workers and some part-time female workers for sorting and packing. The Japanese translation omits the part of clay marbles.

Just got a duplication from National Diet Library; a 1959 study of marbles in American market. It says Japan was able to provide marbles cheaper to the American market, compared to the factories which were located in the middle of the country. Transport of 100 kg marbles costed 6 dollars per 100 kilometers from WV to Los Angels, but 50 cents for the same distance from Kobe to North America.

Below is what I posted at All About Marbles. I hope it helps! (Sorry, I cannot change the font size!) On "foreign" wirepulls Post by shiroaiko » Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:52 am Recently I learned something big from a book specialized in old Japanese tin toys. The book says that “foreign” was used in stead of “made in Japan” after Showa13 (1938) on Japanese exports. According to the book, it was the time Japan started war/massacre against China which provoked the world’s antipathy against the country. The antipathy was reasonable. It was like nearly 200,000 Chinese citizens who lost their lives. Because Japan needed to earn foreign money, tin toy trade continued for years even during WW2. Although tin toy production for domestic market was banned in Showa13, production for export persisted for that reason. Tin toys being produced after 1938 were carved “foreign” to hide identity. In the cases “made in Japan” was already printed on toys, the letters were concealed under a paint or scraped off. Then “foreign" was put on afterwards. The similar situation would apply to Seike’s wirepulls, because the time was about the same. Seike’s wirepull patent was applied in November Showa11 (1936). It is possible to think Seike's wirepulls were also exported to the world as “foreign” marbles after the Nanjing massacre for a few years. Japan's marble export to the 3rd countries ( the countries which were out of Yen block economy, such as UK and the US) was known to end in July Showa16 (1941). So "foreign" means production between Showa 13-16 (1938-41).

Aichi Denkyu (lightbulb) Godo is the name of the company you were looking for! One of the mysteries solved! Thank you, Steph!🥰 It was also a manufacturer of various light bulbs including ones for Christmas. The company was founded in 1924, but they seem to make marbles after WW2. The trade mark for Japanese market was アヅマ (azuma) in a circle which corresponds the one for the foreign market (below is a clipping from "JIS Factory Directory for 1965" published in 1964). According to a 1958 directory, the company employed 220 workers and the major customers were the US, Holland, Italy, Canada and Salvador. The company seems to be closed in 1970's, but its brother company exists until now in Nagoya. There was another marble maker called Azuma Brothers Glass Co. (1954-1959?). Their marbles and ohajikis were sold under "Libbon-Earth Brand". So I wondered which company made the exported cat's eyes of Azuma boxes. To add, #67 of my Japanese marble maker's list is for Aichi Denkyu Godo. ↓ 67 愛知電球合同 ❶名古屋市中区東陽町11-39 河合秀 設立大正15年　従業員数220名　一般家庭球 蛍光灯 クリスマス用装飾球 一般小型球 赤外線電球 グラスマーブル その他一般照明球特殊電球の製造　仕向地　東南アジア 印度 タイ 北中南米 中近東 アフリカ 豪州/「全国輸出入業者総覧 : 製造業者・貿易商 第5版」1958. 第14版 1968. 第15版 1969. 第19版 1973. 第20版 1974. 第21版 1975. ❷主要輸出品 電球 グラスマーブル 主要国内販売品 電球 グラスマーブル 電気材料 主要仕向国 アメリカ オランダ イタリア カナダ サルバドル/「全国貿易業者名簿 昭和36年版」❸各種電球 グラスマーブル 硝子製品 設立大正13年3月15日　商標は円の中にアヅマ。/「JIS工場通覧 1965年版」1964 ❹アヅマランプ 一般照明用電球 赤外線電球 耐震電球 リフレクターランプ グラスマーブル/「名古屋商工名鑑 昭和40年版」❺社長 河合利周 製造 一般照明用電球 大型電球 小丸電球 赤外線電球 その他特殊電球 グラスマーブル/「電気年鑑 1971年版」1970. 1972年版 1971. ❻アヅマ電気（株）昭和45年4月　大株主愛知電球合同 代表取締役会長 河合利周 愛知電球合同の商標は円の中にカタカナでアヅマ。アメリカで報告されたビー玉パッケージには円の中にアルファベットでAZUMA。東兄弟の登録商標はLibbon Earth Brandで、地球にリボンがかかった印。

A group of blues in two shades. From left to right; 17.5mm, 16.5mm, 16.5mm, 14.5mm, 16.5mm, 17.5mm. Out of 6, 3 got visible cutlines. One got big eyelashes. The smallest is perfect with bubbles! The right amount of bubbles so that streaky vanes can be seen through.

Excited to know that your wife loves seashells🐚🪸I'm also in love with them from my childhood🥰 This is a link you can visit and see the ohajiki book I mentioned where Kisago shell ohajikis in an old package can be seen. I hope you and your wife find them interesting.

Elias! Yes! I know you well! Good to see someone I know...

The rest of the green + purple group (16.5mm, 17.5mm, 17.2mm). Two are regular stripeys. All has visible cut lines at the poles. The jelly vaned cat's eye has dark gray-brown tinted base. Talking about the tint, the green shooter also had strong blue? green? tint, as you noticed. Blue/white stripeys will be up tomorrow🦋✨

The shooter (25.5mm) got dark green bits in the vanes. The vanes are thin and not developed. A darker background for a better look of the vanes. On the opposite side are fractures caused from short annealing time. The players (16.5mm, 16.9mm, 17.0mm). The green stripeys got streaks in purple-brown shades. Similar kind of purple in these 3?

Some might wonder why shells are included in the lot. The snails were used as ohajiki (flat marbles) in older time, especially before the glass made counterpart was invented. A glass ohajiki boom in winter of 1902 was recorded in a magazine article. One ohajiki book says they were popular among girls throughout 1920s and 1930s. Shells were often dyed in bright colors like pink and purple and sold at shops in a netted cotton bag or a labeled paper box. All the cat's eyes in the lot. Most of them are Stripeys. 4 exceptions. Greens and a purple. The shooter measures 25.5mm, and the players range from 16.5 to 17.5mm. Pictures continue to the next post.

Thank you, I am so grateful for being here. We scarcely see old marbles in packages in the country. It is probably they meant for export, and marbles were often sold loose. One exception is Camel (Matsuno). They used the same paper boxes and plastic bags for both foreign and domestic markets.

I got the meaning! Thank you😃

Yes. I would be happy to do this. What does "Marble on!!" means?

I appreciate the article. How I wish if the writer had provided a description to the marbles! Glass marbles are generally beautiful...maybe compared to other cheap toys. Also imports from a country of weak currency floods to a country of strong currency is no wonder. Opposite does not happen. That is why old marbles are domestic in my country. 1907 in Japanese time is Meiji 40, the time glass marbles are said to become popular among children nationwide. The marbles from Meiji are lampworked ones with snap-cut pontils. These are poorly made clearies, which are distant from perfect roundness. You can see grooves around a pontil. Also bright colors like red or yellow were not used for the first marbles. Makers like Tokujiro Oi and Wakamatsu Yoneda (Komeda?) are the first exporters. The first record of glass marble export that I could find is Taisho4 (1915) of Tokujiro's via a Kobe agent called su-re-man (Sleiman? Suremann?). Tokujiro's was a pioneering maker for glass bangles, mercury beads, seed beads, gold beads and artificial pearls. So-called Chinese-style transitionals are the snap pontil type, highly-likely Japanese export from Taisho - early Showa era.

I'm learning something from here too. I read the Winnie's 2015 post of Santa Claus box and finally understood that my Yasuda factory research started from the information she left in this forum. It is always good to know the source of information. I didn't have much time for Steph's Japanese Transitionals yesterday. My reading takes much time...I hope I can read it through in a few days.

The box set is great and the purple transitional! I saw mushroom type marbles in similar puzzle boxes. Chiyogami paper in mame-shibori pattern is used. Do they have crease pontils?

Hello akroorka🐬! I was wondering what to be the first! My city Yamagata has a monthly flea market at Suwa shrine. This is my latest find. Lots of Seike Stripeys including shooters.

I'm curious. If the article embarrasses people here, maybe you can show only the marble picture? Does it mean our poorly made marbles reach to the US that early?

Thank you for the information again, Steph! I am closely looking at the enlarged picture right now. The white looking marbles could be German porcelain marbles with petals and circles. Then I see something like half & half and figure8s... The 1929 date sounds like a bit too early for Japanese machinemades. The first automatic gob feeding system in my country was thought to be started by Naoyuki Seike. The patent (Showa6-2564) was applied in Aug 1930. Yet Seike could have been the first marble maker who exported glass marbles to western countries. Glass marble makers before Seike exported marbles, but they were heading to neighboring countries. In 1937 magazine, Seike explained how his marble business started; his factory started in Taisho13 (1924) and his first marbles were exported to America and Australia, although they were in small number.

I've been through the thread and learned the trademark information was what Brian had posted at AAM. Yasuda had been one of the big glass bangle makers whose main consumer was India. It says the trademark was registered for glass bangles and other glass products. We do not know for sure whether Yasuda made transitionals as early as 1929.

Thank you so much, Steph! That would be the very thread I wanted to read! I will go and read from now!