Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1993-0001-0315   CAS 1993-0001-0315; Boat (toy)
Category Folk Toys
Object Name Boat (toy)
Culture Japanese
Global Region East Asia
Country Japan
State/Prov./Dist. Wakayama Prefecture
County
Other Geographic Data City: Taiji
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1980s
Collection Name Kadota Collection (Japanese Folk Toys)
Materials Wood; Paint
Description Model of a whaling boat, a narrow, streamlined and flat-bottomed rowing vessel vessel developed in the 1700s to pursue whales; The hull of the boat is carved from a single piece of wood, with an extended masthead beam notched into the bow at water level; The stern is squared off, and two crossbeams are laid across the boat near the bow, probably to serve as seats; Interior of boat is painted red, the underbody is black, and the sides are painted in brightly colored diagonal stripes, some with floral designs: Maker’s name (?) is inscribed in Japanese characters on underside. See CAS 1993-0001-0285 and CAS 1993-0001-0286 for examples of similar whaling boats toys made in other regions.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 6.9, Width = 6.2, Length = 22.4