Omocha-e

Omocha-e (Japanese: 玩具絵, "toy prints") is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints ukiyo-e created as picture books and toys for children.^[1] The genre was considered inferior to prints of kabuki actors (yakusha-e) or prints with beautiful women (bijin-ga).^[2]

There were many types of Omocha-e, including paper dolls to be dressed (kisekae-e), matching-picture games (e-awase), board games (such as sugoroku), dioramas to be cut out and assembled (tatebanko or kumitate-e), and encyclopedic compilations (monozukushi).^[3]

History

Woodblock printing became widespread during the Edo Period.^[3] Print shops housed the equivalent of tabloids (ukiyo-e), landscape prints that featured tourist sites, and omocha-e.^[3] Such prints often functioned as easily transportable gifts that relayed the latest trends. Moreover, much like Western toys, omocha-e was heavily impacted by trends, resulting in several containing the phrase shipan, "latest edition", at the top of each print.^[3] The popularity of such toys found a resurgence during Japan's industrialization and subsequent international conflicts during the early 20th century with adults rather than children. This new audience was arguably an extension of Japan's efforts to create a sense of nationalism within its people by utilizing nostalgia.^[3] However, the modern and more vernacular omocha (Japan's equivalent of "toy") inspired by the new industrial Japan quickly took its place.^[4] Omocha, though similar to omocha-e, represents an umbrella term for toys ranging from children's playthings to religious votives and is not limited to woodblock prints.^[4]