Tops across the Avon?

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 6

Tops across the Avon?

From BRUCE ROSCOE . in Kurashiki Spinning a Japanese top across the Avon River is one of the delights a famous Kurashiki toymaker has in store for Christchurch this week. Mr Hiroaki Oga. curator of the Japan Rural Toy Museum of Kurashiki. will arrive in Christchurch tomorrow on a two-week visit to demonstrate to Christchurch Teachers' College students a range of Japanese toys, some of which he will make from locally available

materials. The student teachers, he hopes, will pass the knowledge on to their pupils since "the quickest way for children to understand Japan is through toys.” Mr Oga, aged 48. will bring a stock of more than 25 Japanese kites. 35 spinning tops, and about 15 paper and wooden toys for demonstrations in Christchurch and Ashburton. He also plans a display of mystery puzzles. "You can make spinning tops from shells, paper, wood, or even tea-kettle lids.

The fun is in the making.” he said. . "Modern plastic toys with flashing lights and buzzers and things do not teach children how to play." Mr Oga. whose museum houses more than 30.000 toys, about 5000 of which he says are from 700 to 800 years old. will visit at the invitation of the principal of the Teachers' College. Dr J. F. Mann, who recently led a study tour of Christchurch teachers and teacher trainees to Tokyo and 'Kurashiki.