Interview with a Collector - A ggsdolls blog Series
A
monthly series on my blog where I feature some of the most amazing
collectors, sellers, and content creators that have become really good
friends of mine and what they collect and why? Read on to learn more...
For the month of October, my blog interview is with an amazing collector of kitsch, vintage Americana, and author of "Colorful! American Junk Catalog", released back in 2006 by Tomoko Nakamura or pop_pop.smile on Instagram!
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| Tomoko Nakamura |
Tomoko: I was born in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, a town near the sea. I got married at the age of twenty five and have lived in Tokyo ever since. When I was young, my family was a little complicated, and my grandmother's second husband was American. The only grandfather I knew is my American grandfather! As a young child, I was fascinated by colorful American toys and sweets that were completely different from Japanese ones. My grandfather bought me many souvenirs every time he returned to America. My aunt was also working at the US military base in Yokosuka at the time, and our family always used tableware from Fire King and Pyrex. Also my grandmother collects Japanese antiques, and I think I inherited my collector's spirit from her! It's no wonder that I later opened my own store and started selling vintage American products.
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| Vintage Disney Shelf Display. |
Tomoko: I first encountered vintage kitsch over 30 years ago. It's history began with an old Disney doll that I encountered at a domestic vintage shop or antique event. I've loved Disney movies and music since I was little, but I never got around to collecting merchandise. I was fascinated by the slightly creepy face of Plane Crazy and Steamboat Willie, which was completely different from the big-eyed Mickey Mouse of today. However, the Disney dolls of ancient times had completely different faces than they do now, and before I knew it, I was completely absorbed in their charm. At the same time, I also collect old American tableware and kitchen goods. At that time, British and French antiques were popular in Japan.
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| Tomoko's Rushton Plush and Toy Collection. |
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| Vintage Kitsch Ceramics and Brach's display Cabinet. |
Q: What is your relationship with your collection?
Tomoko: My collection and I are inseparable. "Cute" is justice (LOL), it is the power to live, and it is indispensable. The bond between us will never be severed and until someday when we become stars in the sky.
When it comes to American vintage, there is a strong image of masculine things like American cars and Coca-Cola, and there were very few stores that carried cute American junk. Our store was very new at the time, so right after we opened, we were interviewed by many magazines about miscellaneous goods and interior design, and thanks to that, we quickly became famous. It only started to happen much later. I called it, "Lovely Junk." I secretly think that this is the spark that started the boom in Japan (Customers also have expressed this).
Q: Vintage cute and kitschy aesthetic~
Ever since I was a child, I have never been attracted to things that are just beautiful. The important thing is to be cute and have a charm that makes you laugh. I have always loved American tableware (Fire King), and on holidays, my husband and I would go to vintage shops and antique events in Japan. Meanwhile, I started to pay attention to vintage dolls and toys. I think the first doll I got was either an old stuffed Pluto or a wooden Pinocchio. From then on, there was no stopping it. My husband and I loved vintage so much that we later opened a store.
When I see the rooms of overseas collectors on Instagram, I don't think my collection is that big of a deal. But my friends are always surprised. I was also attracted to dolls with slightly unique faces. American toys are unique, and many have bold designs that would never be commercialized in Japan, which was interesting. I also liked the fact that they put a face on everything (I love anthropomorphic things). Even if I want to get something, I rarely search for it desperately. This is because I believe that if we have a relationship, we will naturally meet each other.
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| Variety of Rushton, Roly Poly dolls N Ceramics. |
Q: Reactions from family and friends~
Tomoko: My husband and I used to run a vintage shop together, so he understands. He discovered Rushton and Sun Rubber Toys even before they became popular in Japan and started buying them all by himself. I respect you (LOL). My husband loves natural beauty, and has been buying ceramics by Lefton and rubber face dolls by Rushton since the time when most people didn't know about their existence. Since my son was born and raised in the house, he has grown up to be a great collector (Star Wars). He understands what I like better than anyone else, so he always gives me breathtaking gifts!
Most of my close friends aren't interested in vintage or kitsch, so they can't understand why someone would want a dirty doll (LOL). My partner was very understanding and enjoyed collecting as well. On holidays, the two of us went to vintage shops, antique festivals, flea markets, etc., but domestic content was no longer enough for us, so we started going to America. So we decided to open our own shop, and so we opened an antique shop in Tokyo.
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| Tomoko's gift from her son's first paycheck. |
Tomoko: It's hard to choose just one favorite item. However, the first thing that came to my mind was the Showa retro tin rabbit that I remember my son gave to me as a gift with his first salary.
Q: Do you run a store?
Tomoko: I ran a vintage shop in Tokyo for about 12 years starting back in 1997. This store mainly sold American kitchen goods and toys. At the time, there were almost no similar stores, so it became a hot topic and was loved by many customers. Many people lined up early in the morning for events at Shibuya Parco, and it was a wonderful memory that I will never forget. (Currently closed). Even when I was running my own shop, I was happiest when I could make a customer happy with such a special encounter.
I collected things that I think are good without being particular about them, just based on my sensibilities, so the dolls in my shop come from a variety of ages and countries. Even if it's not vintage, if I like it, I'll buy it. It's exciting to think that it will eventually become vintage and be cherished by new people.
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| Tomoko and her Giant Rushton "Stinky" Skunk Plush. |
Q: The most unusual item I've ever come across~
Tomoko: It's hard to choose one too. It may not be that rare, but what about the extra large size of my Rushton skunk? I often see small ones, but I've never seen anything this size in Japan other than the ones at my house.
Q: If you could get it for free~
Tomoko: A Rushton Octopus! Many of other overseas collectors have them, but none have come to our house yet (I'm the type of person who doesn't search desperately for something even if I want it, so I value spontaneous encounters).
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| Vtg Squeak and Little Sophisticate Doll. |
Q: The popularity of vintage kitsch has increased in recent years.
Tomoko: There has been a retro boom in Japan for the past few years. Showa retro dolls and toys are popular items among overseas collectors. When I was running the store, there were still not many people using the Internet (which is why the store was flooded with customers from all over the country). With the development of social media, it has become easier to find vintage items, and as more discerning people seek out rare items, I think kitschy items will also catch their eye.
Young people probably don't know about that era, but for some reason they feel nostalgic about it (as I once did). There is a lot of competition for popular items because everyone wants them, but I really liked it when people noticed the unique child I had chosen and happily took it home.
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| Lefton ceramics, cookie jar, and gatcha toys. |
Tomoko: I am currently retired and living a leisurely life, but I am glad that I was able to work to introduce Rushton and Fire King at a time when their names were not yet well known, and that after the store closed, I was able to work related to miscellaneous goods in Japan. I feel very blessed.
Although they are not vintage, "gacha gacha" (capsule toys) are currently very poplar in Japan, and I collect them as well. Japanese people love miniature things, and women especially love small and cute things no matter how old they are. Japanese miniature toys are of high quality, and I think they are popular with people overseas as well. I have been interested in these items for decades and have been collecting them, but I regret letting go of many of them because they were new to me.
These items seem to be selling at high prices now. I love beautiful, cute things. I like girls with charming faces more then beautiful dolls. I love dolls and toys that make me laugh and feel happy every time I see their faces. I'm already 55 years old, but this aspect hasn't changed since I was a child. Even if I become a grandma in the future, this will never change.
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| Tomoko's display shelf of ceramics, toys, and wall decor. |
Tomoko continued: I have no plans to open my own store again in the future. Now, as a customer myself, I am very happy to be able to find what I like. When you're in business, you have to sell something even if you don't want to let it go. When I see something I want being sold right in front of my eyes, I feel both grateful and a little conflicted. My son, who started working this year, knows all about my tastes and often give me cute things as gifts. That's the happiest thing right now for me.
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| Tomoko Nakamura's Book, 2006. |
It was a pleasure to interview Tomoko and have her share her story and collection. I must admit I am 'Star' struck to meet the first collector who began the Rushton Toy Company popularity in Japan! "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu" Tomoko. I hope one day soon to meet you in Japan!
Until next month's Interview with a Collector! Happy Hunting!
Thanks for reading! ~ ggsdolls