The Importance Of Wooden Toys
１ Not a Best Seller! A Long Seller!
Wooden toys are not best sellers, they are long sellers. Seemingly ageless they transcend time.There are two reasons for this transcendence. First of all, wooden toys are sturdy, and often well taken care of, cherished. Surviving generations, passed from grandfather to father to son, woooden toys live on and on. Speaking intimately to the future generations of love and joy . They have a legacy. Many customers speak of their toys as having something special, they can\'t be thrown away. There is something precious about a wooden toy.
Secondly, is the universality of a wooden toy. Perhaps this is an exaggeration yet the quiet strength of a wooden toy is an inigma. I think about one of my first toys, the 6 wheel car. This toy is almost as old as my toy shop. I started making toys 28 years ago and I still feel happy and proud when customers tell me that this toy still has the same charm and joy today as it had so many years ago when they bought it.
２ Heart to Heart Empowerment
This is carefully handicrafted work. The interpersonal relationship between the maker and user of the toys, is paramount. Meeting face to face is always a pleasure.During my workshops people are able to experience making toys with their own hands, the more they work on their toys, the more the toys are filled meaning and love. I feel the same about the toys I create. It is a quite rare occurence but there are some toys which after years and years of being played with have found their way back to the studio to have something adjusted or repaired.These toys are old and worn but still have a sweet joy about them. I am touched that their owners cared enough about them to bring them back to be reborn. Also, I am happy that throughout the years many customers, people who have bought so many toys from me, come back and visit. These people who appreciate my toys inspire me to create more and more. It is especially true these days with the increased communication of cyberspace networking. Creativity is more global. I am inspired by the extent of international exposure my toys are receiving via cyberspace. Thanks to my webpage I receive many orders for my toys from unknown faces but I still feel a strong connection to these toys and the people who will love them.
３ QUALITY OF MATERIALS AND THEIR HEALING PROPERTIES
So what about the quality of the materials used in the making my toys? Whether the toy is for a child or adult makes a difference. My toys are unlike most toys which are made only for a child\'s entertainment. The 6 wheel car, which is made for the child who is just beginning to walk is made of beautiful natural materials of high intergrity. This integrity comes from nature, whatever is within the child\'s reach must reinforce this wondrous connection to nature. Parents may have different ideas about child play but I think that the free spirit of play, the play which is entrusted to the child is most appropriate. Wooden toys have a certain primitive charm, the integrity of it\'s materials, speaks to its user. Here at Ginga Kobo Toys the toy becomes a work of art. Many customers are pleased by this subtle distinction. Is it a toy or artwork, both? With our toys childhood memories surface, nostalgic moments of joy play in our hearts. In these times so many people have lost their child spirit, they have forgotten how to have fun. I, myself, always have too much fun. My workers look at me with wonder. It is exactly this child spirit I love sharing with my customers through my toys.
PROFILE
CEO/DESIGNER SHIGERU KOBAYASHI
Born In Japan, Nagano Prefecture.
As a child liked playing games and having fun. In elementary school submitted puzzles to the school newspaper. Loved playing around, was a very naughty boy.
1971 Studies graphic design as a young man.
1975 Experience in craft design, works with wood .
1983 Birth of first child inspires the creation of first toys. Ginga Kobo Toys established. Company expands, various commercial enterprises explored. Participations in wooden toy exhibitons .
1984 Series of Articles published for Woody Magazine: \"Toy Makers of the World\" and \"Wooden Toy Workshops\".
1996 Establishes gallery in little mountain village of Nogura, Nagano prefecture, Japan. About 800 original toys displayed in the Ginga Kobo Toys collection.
1997-2012 Awarded Japanese NPO \"Good Toy\" Prize
Book Published, \"Handcrafted Wooden Toys\"
Numerous Other Publications
Interests: Travel, Reading, Music, Movies, Shogi, Horse Riding, Swimming.
Favorite Foods: Bibinba, Pasta, Multi-grain Bread.
Favorite Artists：Tei Kobayashi・Robert Mirabal・Scotty Wright
Blood Type: A Positive
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
活動
Others
Awards
言語
English
