Japanese toy collector puts it all on display

12:00 PM on 06.21.2010   |   Nabeel "Touya" Mohammed

Most of us who read Tomopop would consider ourselves collectors. Here is a man who redefines that concept.

Kazunori Saito, a director of an advertising company in Japan, started his adult collection of toys 25 years ago. To date, his collection numbers over 2000 individual pieces ranging from postwar Japan to the modern era of giant robots, Tokosatsu shows and some classic anime. Currently, Saito's collection, or at least a lot of it, is on display at the Yokohama Doll Museum through July 11th, 2010 as part of their "Showa Hero and Monster Toy Exhibition."

Come with us past the jump to take a trip into Saito's past. 

According to Saito, he was raised in Japan's golden age of the 60s and 70s, and as a child, mainly showed interest in model kits. As an adult, however, a magazine article about vintage toys sparked a notion in him which he has followed through with today. To him, the toys on display represent a trying time for Japan. A lot of them date back to just after the end of World War 2 when Japan was rebuilding financially and socially. Economic expansion leads to artistic expression which gave birth to a multitude of television shows and anime. That period now stands preserved in the many toys in his collection.

Shown above is what Saito regards as his favorite piece in his collection. "The Cyclone," a model of the first ever motorcycle ridden by the original Kamen Rider.  With that series and its offshoots flourishing today, owning a bit of where it all started seems to be what started Saito off on his enjoyable quest. He cites it as the first toy he bought as an adult, then with the intention of purchasing all of the Kamen Rider bikes. 

It seems in the interim, his scope has grown beyond that. 

Saito mentions that he's been lucky to purchase what he could have. Most of his collection was purchased in the late 80s and early 90s when they were either brand new and plentiful on shelves, or in the case of his older toys, mostly neglected and unappreciated. Of his collection today, he states "even I can't afford this stuff anymore!" 

When not on display in the museum, Saito's toys remain on display in his small home. Space being a concern, however, a lot of his toys end up in storage. His family, he says, has grown used to it. In fact, when getting married, Saito states that it was his one condition that his spouse not ask him to get rid of his burgeoning collection. When she agreed, Saito says, he knew he had found "the one." 

If you are interested in reading the interview with Saito, you may do so at CNN Go. On a personal note, though, well done, Mr. Saito. Well done, indeed.