Vintage Japanese Kobe Chams

A pair of vintage Kobe popping eye charms.

Made in Japan in the first half of the 20th century from a vinyl plastic, these intriguing little souvenir charms are known as ‘Kobe charms’, named after the Japanese city from where they originated.

These little creatures have an amusing secret…. when tilted down the eyes pop out of the faces!

These charms were particularly popular from the late 1920’s through to the 1930’s and were often sold at souvenir shops on Motomachi Shopping Street and near Nunobiki Waterfall. Their funny movement and jocular facial expressions attracted the attention of Kobekko and tourists. 

There are a wide range of designs in a variety of shapes and colours, with many based upon traditional Japanese designs. These two Daruma figures depict a temple and a lantern with dangling legs. The designs are supposedly inspired by Japanese mechanical toys made as early as 1890.

One measures 17mm x 10mm and the other 12mm x 12mm (excluding the brass suspension bale). They have a combined weight of 2 grams and are both in good working order.