Penny toys of the Taisho Era

In August 1914, Japan sided with Great Britain, which tasked it with seizing German possessions in China and the Pacific – the Marschal Islands, the Marianas and the Carolines.

Between 1915 and 1926, Japanese manufacturers produced tiny toy planes in the colours of the Allies and Japan to celebrate the alliance with the Entente. Some had a wooden strip on the back that twirled when the toy was pulled into the air.

Kuramochi

 

 

Great Britain

 

Japan, Belgium, France

 

And many unknown manufacturers

 

First series

Great Britain                                                                                                          France

United States                                                                                                              Japan

 

Series with wooden strips

Great Britain                                                                                                                 Switzerland

 

Similar products with a more realistic look

 

 

Slightly larger toys

 

N-105, United States flat

 

Other penny toys

Whistle                                                                                                                To push

 

 

 

 

Find out more about the manufacturers: :

Kuramochi - Japan