Kobe toys take their name from the port of Kobe, where the main period of production lasted from1870 to the 1920’s. These small wooden figures are simply hand-carved and the colors subdued – natural wood, blackened, or small pieces of ebony, inlaid bone or ivory eyes, and a red mouth. Kobe toys always portray a Negroid human figure. The Japanese were fascinated by the colorful black faces and features of sailors on ships from Africa and America who disembarked in Kobe when the port was reopened in 1868. These subjects became sculpted forever in the form of Kobe toys, which were carved from scraps of ebony or hardwoods by folk art craftsmen. Since all work was done by hand, no two specimens were ever identical. For the most part, these works were sold as souvenirs along the docks of the port of Kobe, and the majority of purchasers were sailors and Western tourists. (See Figure 19 in “Kobe Dolls,” DARUMA 34, for sample of photos of Kobe Dice Men used for taking orders from souvenir shops.) The best specimens date up to circa 1920, and they are the rarest and most valuable. From their origins as relatively cheap souvenirs, Kobe toys have turned into exceedingly rare collector’s items.

CONDITION is very good, with some wear and scratches consistent with age and usage. The bone wand in his right hand may have originally been a bit longer. DIMENSIONS: 4 ¼” (10.8 cm) high, 2 ½” (6.4 cm) wide at hat brim.