{"product_id":"prewar-japanese-tin-clock-tower-building-toy-rotating","title":"Juguete japonés de hojalata con forma de torre del reloj, de preguerra, con remate giratorio y esfera horaria, principios de Showa","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Timepieces \u0026amp; Fine Jewelry\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eAn ambitious prewar mechanical toy in which architecture, timekeeping and motion converge in a single tin plate form. The tower remains structurally intact, and its rotating finial and clock hands still operate, a rare outcome for so tall and fragile a construction from the early Shōwa period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis prewar Japanese clock-tower building belongs to an ambitious class of early mechanical toys, made before the standardization of toy manufacturing, when mechanical ingenuity and urban symbolism stood at the center of design. A rectangular architectural base supports a vertical tower with an exposed truss-like framework, crowned by a rotating finial driven through internal mechanical linkage. An integrated clock dial adds a functional layer rarely preserved in prewar tin objects, turning a static model into a kinetic architectural display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lithographed surfaces depict ornamental detailing and structural patterning, now softened by age. Prewar tin buildings were especially vulnerable, with their height, thin structural members and multiple moving parts, so surviving examples, above all those that still move, are rare. This piece preserves its architectural silhouette and mechanical intent, functioning today as both artifact and display object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clock tower holds a particular place in early Japanese toy history, reflecting how ideas of time, order and modern urban life were translated into domestic-scale mechanical form: cities governed by clocks, towers and coordinated movement. Where postwar vehicles and rockets express motion through speed and direction, this object expresses it through time and rotation, a prewar urban foundation for the postwar story of mobility and aspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prewar \/ early Shōwa period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tin plate with lithography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanism:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mechanical rotation of the finial; clock movement with dial and hands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 24 cm (width) × 22 cm (height)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStructurally intact; the rotational mechanism and clock hands operate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaint loss, surface abrasion and patina consistent with long-term survival; the lithography is softened by age and wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/es\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/japanese-toys-cross-cultural\"\u003eVintage Toys\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/vintage-space-hero-robot-boxed-accessory-set-1970s\"\u003eSpace Hero robot figure boxed set\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/prewar-japanese-tin-swing-diorama-scenic-backdrop-toy\"\u003eMeiji–Taisho tin swing diorama with backdrop\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/asahi-northwest-orient-nwa-tin-airplane-46cm-showa\"\u003eAsahi Northwest Orient tin airliner\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Timepieces \u0026amp; Fine Jewelry\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eReference Hunting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eName the reference number, dial and year, and the Hunting Salon™ watches Japan’s collector market for it, then inspects and documents the piece before it ships insured to you. \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/hunting-salon%E2%84%A2\"\u003eRequest a watch search →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: prewar japanese tin toy · tin clock tower toy · japanese tinplate building toy · early showa tin toy · antique mechanical tin toy japan · vintage tin clock tower · prewar lithographed tin toy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Japonista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51951336587557,"sku":null,"price":1595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/PrewarJapaneseTinClockTowerBuildingToyRotatingMechanismShowaArchitecture_1.png?v=1769737732","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/es\/products\/prewar-japanese-tin-clock-tower-building-toy-rotating","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}