Summary
- Volume 2 Exploring Retro Japanese Mekoca as a Cultural Relic
- Global creative actors contribute in English and Japanese
- Limited hand-painted version available for shipment from the UK
Parisian artist Antwan Horfee Return to the world of throwing cards in Japan Menko ToysThis is a rich layered sequel to his 2019 championship Menko Boy. This new 288-page volume deepens Horfee’s anthropological exploration of Menko – vividly illustrates the cardboard cards used by Japanese children in street games, but is now cherished as a cultural relic. As writer Peter Lyle once described, Menko is a “tower card of amulet”, reflecting the current transferred in 20th century Japanese society.
The book presents Swiss binding and printed on Munken White Paper, a tactile object, just like a visual archive. It features English and Japanese writings by Horfee, Nick Schonberger, Ataru Sato, Risa Hiratsuka and others, as well as photography by Jean Granon and Ghislain Mirat. Ten hand-drawn copies of Horfee’s signature and illustrations are also provided.
Menko Toys More than just collections; it invites explanations, treating each card as a micro-narrative of nostalgia, consumer culture, and personal memory. The book is now available Topsafe‘ Official websitewith standard and limited editions.
