Rare Vintage, Antiques and Art Collector / Curator / Personal Shopper From Japan
Yonezawa Tinplate Motorcycle & Sidecar Toy with Child Passenger, Showa-Era Japanese Tin Toy, Fully Articulated Rider Figure
Yonezawa Tinplate Motorcycle & Sidecar Toy with Child Passenger, Showa-Era Japanese Tin Toy, Fully Articulated Rider Figure
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Yonezawa Tinplate Motorcycle & Sidecar Toy with Child Passenger
Japan, Showa Period (1950s–early 1960s)
This rare Japanese tinplate motorcycle and sidecar toy was produced by Yonezawa, one of the most respected manufacturers of postwar tin toys. Featuring a uniformed rider and a child passenger seated in the sidecar, the piece embodies the narrative-driven design language that defined Japan’s golden age of tin toy production.
The bold lithographed colors, sculptural figures, and mechanical action reflect a period when toys were engineered not merely as playthings, but as miniature stories of progress, protection, and imagination.
The sculptural boldness of the rider figure, paired with the expressive child form, reflects the transitional design language of the 1950s, when Japanese toys shifted from purely mechanical novelties toward story-driven objects. The vibrant primary color palette—reds, blues, yellows, and black—remains emblematic of Yonezawa’s export-quality tin toys created for both domestic and international markets.
Beyond play, this object stands as a cultural artifact: a miniature monument to Japan’s industrial recovery and the rise of imaginative engineering during the Showa economic expansion.
DIMENSIONS (APPROX.)
Overall Length: ~22 cm
Height: ~15 cm
Width (including sidecar): ~12 cm
- Material: Tinplate with original lithography
- Configuration: Motorcycle with sidecar, rider and child figure
- Era: Showa period
- Condition: Original vintage condition with age-appropriate wear
This piece holds strong appeal for collectors of Japanese tin toys, Showa-era design, and vintage mechanical toys.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
