Vintage Japanese wind-up dog toy with a ball on a metal rod, black cloth-covered body, brown fabric tail, metal head/ears, green eye (one is missing), and a yellow/red ball marked Japan. The toy appears to have originally been a mechanical wind-up action toy, likely intended to move or “play” with the ball when wound.

The winding key is missing, so the mechanical function is not working/tested as intended. When scooted manually across a surface, the ball does roll. Nice display piece for collectors of early Japanese novelty toys, wind-up animals, or well-worn character toys with age and patina.

Details:
Material: Cloth/fabric body, metal head/ears and mechanism, painted ball
Markings: Ball marked Japan; underside label also reads Made in Japan
Size: 6" long x 1.75" wide x 2.5" high
Weight: 3 oz
Function: Original wind-up action no longer functional; key is missing
Era: Likely 1950s–early 1960s
Style: Mid Century novelty toy

CONDITION: POOR to FAIR
(Poor-->Fair-->Good-->Very Good-->Excellent-->Mint):
Poor to fair vintage condition. Key is missing and wind-up function is not working/tested. Heavy age-related wear throughout, including fabric loss, fraying, holes, dust/soil, discoloration, surface oxidation/patina to metal areas, and wear to the painted ball. Missing one eye. Fabric covering head is loose. Tail has wear and exposed wire. Ball rolls when the toy is manually scooted across a surface. Best suited for display, restoration, parts, or as-is collecting.

I aim to please, and describe every item to the best of my ability. But please note that my vintage items often received frequent use back in their day, so may show visible signs of wear and age. Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way, as I treasure those marks of the past.