Theme of the Contest："Messages to Children"

Contemporary Toy of the Year 2009  CREATIVE TOY CONTEST

MAGANGLE　Kiyokatu Kato　Tokyo
Principle and Structure Each block contains a free-moving magnet. therefore, one face of a block can stick to any face of another block. By combining gravity and magnetic power, children can enjoy making objects of even unusual shapes. How to Play To connect two blocks with magnetic power, clap any face of a block against any face of another block.

Untitled　Tetsuo Tonouchi　Tokyo
Better Environment for the Future The use of thinned wood has great merits, it helps ensure the healthy growth of forests and improve the forest industry, and it will eventually contribute to the maintenance of a sustainable environment.Thinned wood can be processed to value-added, laminated wood and because even small pieces of wood can be used in the process, it will lead to the effective use of natural resources. High Receptivity of Children Children are more receptive than grownups. I avoided the conventional use of primary colors for these blocks. Instead, I used the delicate colors which grownups find most attractive. The shape of the block is so designed as to give a numerous combinations with a small number of pieces. Appreciation of Natural Material with the Five Senses Instead of organic solvent type paints, natural paints are used for the toy, so it is not only safe if licked by children, but it will help you appreciate more distinctly the features of natural wood, such as the touch, the smell, the sound, the annual rings, and even the aging of wood.

Peace maker ver Hd /ver St Masahiro Yonehara Ohsaka
※This prize was　chose by　the　children　of the Higashiawakura Elementary School.

Run! Carousel  Mitsunobu Matsuno Tokyo

∞ (infinity) Tsuyoshi Miyazaki Tokyo

TACT Hideka Ishikawa Kanagawa
Untitled Tadamichi Takeyama Kanagawa
Untitled Taketomi Matumoto Saitama
Kuneri Ryo Takahashi Tokyo
Ｔｏｐｙ Kana Kurokawa Chiba

In exchange for the prize money ,the works of all the prize winners are to be donated to the organizer　and to be kept as exhibition items of the museum. We are wishing that these toys reach many children.

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Since "Messages to Children" is the theme of this contest, I put the most emphasis on whether each toy is designed from children's standpoint or not, when I judged the 146 works that were submitted. Building-block type toys were by far the largest in number (46 works), followed by game and puzzle-type toys. My initial expectations that I might come across many ingenious and innovative works by young artists were unfortunately not fulfilled. The work of the first place winner is a set of beautifully-finished blocks, which makes the most of the character of wood. It stands out for its unique idea of sticking two blocks together by a free-moving magnet inside the block. As for the work placed second, the ecological consideration of using thinned wood is highly valued. The work that has won the Best Rookie Award is also my favorite. The loveliness and simplicity of its shape and its feature of allowing various kinds of turns deserve high praise.

First of all, my congratulations to the first place winner Mr. Kato and the other winners.
The following is my brief comment on the best four works.
Magangle - The idea of putting a free-moving magnet in the L-shaped block is very innovative. If the magnet is fixed in the block, some faces stick together, but others will repel each other, but in this case, any two faces stick together and the making objects of unconventional shapes becomes possible. My applause for the idea.
Building Blocks by Mr. Tonouchi-He has made really beautiful blocks using thinned wood. It earned high points because of the environmental consideration. The package is also very attractive.
Run! Carousel -The idea of reforming a classical toy into a spinning top is excellent. It was very popular among children and it came in the second place in the Children's Award.
∞(Infinity)-Personally I liked this work best. I had the sensation of my hand enjoying it when it was holding this cute toy. But unfortunately, it had some resemblance to BRIO's Twin Rattle and that was considered a negative factor.
I'd like to add here that the screening process took a whole day and was conducted in a very strict manner.
Lastly, I was saddened that Mr. Aquio Nishida, the planner of this whole event, passed away without seeing the event. He must have been watching it from heaven.

Die Mitarbeit in der Jury des Contemporary Toy of the Year war für mich persönlich eine  tolle Erfahrung und es war eine Freude mit all den neuen Spielen und Spielzeugen zu spielen. Dies ist der Kern des Ganzen – Spielzeug - wirklich zum spielen. Es war für uns Juroren nicht ganz einfach eine Auswahl zu treffen, denn die nahezu 150 Einsendungen zeigen auf eindrucksvolle Art und Weise, wie breit Spielzeugdesign interpretiert werden kann und viele der Entwürfe wiesen eine hohe gestalterische Eigenständigkeit auf. Auch die Präsentation von vielen Einsendungen war sehr beachtlich und viele der Prototypen waren perfekt gearbeitet. Als sehr überzeugend von der Idee bis zum Modell, ist der Sieger des Wettbewerbes hervorzuheben. Spiele mit Magnetkraft gibt es zwar schon einige, aber die Magnete unsichtbar und beweglich in das Innere eines Holzspielelementes zu verlegen, das ist anderes und ein neuer Weg. Dank der Magnetkraft werden Konstruktionen möglich, die aus statischen Gründen sonst nicht machbar wären. Hinzu kommen „klappernte“ akustische Akzente, die sich durch die Magnetkugeln im Inneren erzeugen lassen. Ein wahres Spielzeug was den Entdeckergeist weckt und die Kreativität fördert. Der „silberne“ Sieger überzeugte uns mit seinen Bausteinen aus wechselseitig verleimtem Holz und einer farbig lasierten Oberfläche in gefühlvoll abgestimmten Farben. Es ist eine wahre Freude für die Augen, dieses Wechselspiel in den Farbnuancen zu erleben. Viele weitere Arbeiten hätten es verdient hier noch erwähnt zu werden, wenn es Ihnen möglich schauen Sie Sie noch diese Ausstellung im Museum in Okayama an, dann können Sie auch teilhaben, an der Freude die wir während der Juryarbeit erlebten. Einen großen Dank an alle Spielzeugdesigner, die durch Ihre Einsendungen diesen Wettbewerb so einzigartig werden ließen und so vielseitige Facetten des Spiels gezeigt haben und nicht zuletzt an die Organisatoren des C-Toy - Contemporary Toy oft he Year, die für einen perfekten Ablauf gesorgt haben.
Viel Freude im Spiel wünscht Ihnen

Although the 4th C-Toy Contest was held ten years after the last contest, it had a total entry of more than 140 works. It indicates that the C-Toy Contest has a deep-rooted popularity among toy designers and fans. In this sense, I am very happy the contest has been restarted. I believe Mr. Aquio Nishida, who planned the contest, and Mr. Kurt Naef, founder of Naef Spiel Ltd., who was the chief judge in the first three contests, played a vital role in making the contest a very attractive one and raising it to a world-class level. It is very unfortunate that both of them are no longer alive.
Ten prize-winning works were chosen by vote after the four judges, including myself, had a thorough discussion. The top two works happened to be both polycube-type toys that are made of a collection of cubes.
But they are different from each other in concept and material. Both of them are very beautifully crafted and seem very easy to produce commercially.
The Japanese toy world, which is now dominated by plastic and light-metal character toys, should open its eyes to the true value of natural, environmentally-friendly material and the importance of producing toys which give children not a brief, momentary interest but a long, enduring enjoyment.
The continuation of the C-Toy Contest will have a significant meaning in nurturing the culture of Japanese children and encouraging young toy designers.

	Akio Kasuga 1953  Born in Tokyo  Graduated from the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Design and Fine Arts, Tokyo Zokei University  MA in Art Education, Faculty of Education, Gunma University  Ph. D in Arts, Graduate School of Art, Nihon University 1998 Came back to Tokyo Zokei University to teach art and design, later becoming a professor at the same university.   His teaching career started at public high schools.  His specialty includes the fine arts, crafts education, and the science of basic design & art.   He is also engaged in the research of children's toys & play goods and their appropriate design for children.   He is also known as a collector of wooden toys of the world. Selected Publications: "Artistic Wooden Toys of the World", "Creative Toys", "A Selection of 600 Wooden Toys of the World", "Practice of Design Education Series", "For the Students of Art Education", and  "A Study on Creating Toys" Affiliations: Japan Toys & Dolls Study Association, The Toys for Well-Being Association,  Japanese Society for the Science of Design,  Art Education Society of Japan,  Japan Toy Forum, Art Education Center, and others
	Yasuo Aizawa 1955 Born in Shizuoka Prefecture 1982 Started to work for "Hyakuchomori", a store selling European toys. 1992 "Isomo", his debut work, was released from Naef Spiele Ltd., Switzerland. 1993  "Vivo" was released from Naef Spiele Ltd. 1996  "Arena" was released from Naef Spiele Ltd. 1998   "Via" was released from Naef Spiele Ltd. 2004  Visited Naef Spiele for the second time. 2006  "Honeycomb" was released from  Sina, Germany. 2008  "Cuby" was released from Naef Spiele Ltd.   "Honeyflower" was released from Sina, Germany. Selected Publications: "I just love it! Living with Toys & Picture Books", "The King of Toys"
	Heiko Hillig 1971 Born in Marienberg, Saxony, Germany 1989 Graduated from  high school 1990 Studied design at a university in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt 1995 BA in design 1997 Became a chief designer at Naef Spiele Ltd., after working for three years as a product designer.  Received various awards in Germany and Switzerland for his works such as"abstrakte Kompositionen", an artwork made of cardboard Major Works: "IMAGO" and "RAINBOW"
	Saburou Oguro 1936 Born in Tokyo 1960 Graduated from Oil Painting,  Department of Painting, Tama Art University 1969 Started to make teaching materials,  working at schools for the visually handicapped  and special needs students in Kanagawa Prefecture 1975 Devised wooden animal puzzles and improved upon them 1980 Signed a design contract with Naef Spiele Ltd. 1983 Founded a wooden toy manufacturing company, "U-PLAN" 1995 Opened a kumiki (wooden puzzle) house,  "ZOOTOPIA", at Oguni-machi,Aso-gun,  Kumamoto Prefecture Present He is engaged in exhibition and workshop activities in various parts of Japan. Affiliations Member-Japan Toy Forum; Member-Japan Craft Design Association; President-Creative Kumiki Society

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It is my pleasure to be able to tell the late Mr. Kurt Naef, who was thechief judge for the first three contests, and the late Mr. AquioNishida, who was the curator of our museum and the planner of the contest, of the success of the C-Toy Contest 2009. It was at the end of September 2008 that the long-awaited news arrived. The revival of the C-Toy Contest was finally decided after it had been discontinued for ten years. I could have jumped with joy. But there was a condition of a time limit. Everything had to be finished by the end of the following March. It was almost a reckless attempt to try to hold a public-entry contest in such a short period of time. But we had to do it. The extremely tight schedule inevitably caused considerable trouble to many people involved with this project. Taking this opportunity, I'd like to express my sincere apologies to them. The applicants in the contest must have been annoyed to be so rushed to finish their work. But thanks to the warm support from so many people, 146 works, the largest in number, were submitted, of which ten prize-winning works were chosen by judges through the careful and strict screening process. As to when the next C-Toy Contest will be held, I am, unfortunately, not able to comment at this stage, but it is my earnest wish that it will continue to be held in the future. Lastly, I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to the judges and all the other people who helped this contest to be a success. Thank you very much. March 20, 2009 Koji Hashizume Vice Curator Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy / C-Toy Administration

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Aquio Nishida 1946 Born in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture. 1964 Graduated from Osaka Seiko Gakuin Senior High School.   　　　Entered Osaka Municipal Art Laboratory. 1988 Held a private exhibition at "Atelier Nouveau", Ikebukuro LOFT, Tokyo 1995 Became the curator of Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy, 　　　　Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture. 1996 Exhibited at "World Automata Exhibition", Munich, Germany. 1999 Exhibited at "World Automata Exhibition", Austria. 2003 Founded "BEANS STUDIO", together with Yuzo Kato, 　　　　Glico toy designer. 　　　　Exhibited at "Against the Idea of War", Rome, Italy. 2006 Exhibited at "Against the Idea of War",  Bremen, Germany. 　　　　Become the curator of Arima Toys & Automata Museum 　　　　Held a private exhibiton at Seiffen Toy Museum, Germany. 2009 Died of illness at the age of 63

<<Application Guide

　The rapid progress of modern technology and its offshoots have brought  about an
inundation of goods in the marketplace and ensuing changes in the way people consume,
impacting greatly on almost every aspect of our lives. The world of toys was not immune
to this. The waves of mass-production and mass-consumption have kept surging upon it
ever since the late 1950's, when industrial progress began picking up momentum. As a
result, children are now surrounded by too many of so-called "character toys" and toys
designed just to exploit their desire.

   It was in opposition to this trend that Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy was
established on September 9th, 1995, in a small village at the north-east corner of 
Okayama Prefecture. Its aim is to collect and exhibit only those toys that are designed
from the standpoint of the children who use them. It also studies the history of toy design
to acquire deeper insight in children's play and culture, so we can make creative
suggestions in this field.

   The toy contest we are holding this time is a revival of  "C-TOY" contest, which we
held in1996 and two more times in the following years. It was an event designed to find
'truly good toys for children' and to make them available to all children around the world.
The purpose of the coming contest is to give an opportunity to rethink the basic concept
of 'toy', including its design and function, and with the help of toy designers around the
world, to become an incentive for a new movement in the world of toys.

• Maximum Size: 90cm x 90cm x 90cm
• Unpublished original works only
  ＊Any work to be submitted in this contest must meet the following conditions:
  ・It has never been submitted to any other contest prior to March 10, 2009.
  ・It has never been manufactured for sale.
  ・It has never been advertised or exhibited in any type of exhibition.
• Entries will be judged as a whole, taking into consideration the following attributes:
  ・Idea ・Design ・Versatility ・Safety ・Manufacturability

• Any individual who aspires to be a toy designer or anyone who works as a toy designer.
• A group, organization or company may also apply. (Jointly-developed works accepted.)

• Once an entry has been accepted, the entry fee is not refundable under any circumstances.
• No appeals are accepted as to the decision of the winners.
• The prizes may be withdrawn due to unavoidable circumstances.
  [Please see our website for detailed information.]
• The organizer of the contest reserves the rights concerning the display of the submitted works and the use of their photographed images for publication.
• The organizer of the contest is not held responsible for any accidents that may occur during the shipment of your work or for any loss or damage to your work that may happen due to the circumstances beyond our control after its arrival.
• Personal information submitted is used for the exhibition of entries and the announcement of winners. 
  It is also used when we mail out invitations and notices.

• First Place : 500,000 yen [1Entry]
• Second Place : 200,000 yen [1Entry]
• Third Places :   50,000 yen [3Entries]
  (Children's Award, Museum Award and Best Rookie Award)
• Runner-Up :   20,000 yen [5Entries]
• ＊In exchange for the prize money, the works of all the prize winners are to be donated to the organizer and to be kept as exhibition items of the museum.

• Please remit the entry fee, 3,000 yen per one item, to the following account.
   Bank Name : Chugoku Bank
   Branch Name : Ohara Branch
   Types of Accounts : Savings
   Account Number : 1174230
   Name of Account : C-Toy Jimukyoku
  ＊All bank fees must be paid by the contest entrant.
  ・Please fill out the application form and send it together with your work.

• Application & Shipment Period
   December 1, 2008 ~ February 20, 2009
   (Deadline must be strictly observed.)
• Announcement of Winners
   March 11, 2009
• Contest Exhibition
   March 12, 2009 ~ May 12, 2009
• Returning Submitted Works
  Submitted works will be returned starting in July.
• ＊A touring exhibition of winners' works is planned for several places in Japan.
  ＊The winners will be informed of the schedule as soon as it is available.

Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy

・Naef Spiele Ltd.
・Atelier Niki Tiki
・Hyakuchomori
・Tokyo Zokei University
・Arima Toys & Automata Museum
・TV-Setouchi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・RNC West Japan Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・KSB Setonaikai Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・Sanyo Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・Okayama Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・The Sanyo Shinbun; Okayama FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd.;
・The School Board of Okayama Prefecture;
・The School Board of Mimasaka City

Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy
C-Toy Administration Office

〒707-0401　1707-11Ushiroyama, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan

E-mail: mailbox@toymuseum-okayama.jp

＊Inquiries are accepted by e-mail only.

2009年2月6日、審査員 西田 明夫の急逝にともない、

組み木デザイナーでもある小黒 三郎氏を審査員として招聘する運びとなりました。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（C-TOY事務局）

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