Japanese Penguin Cuddly by Tomi-made 1960 to 1965

Post-Occupation of Japan in 1952, the Japanese toy manufacturing exploded. Most major registered trademarks toy manufactures began mass producing well designed and crafted pressed metal and plastic items to export to America under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. Japanese toy companies such as Bandai, Takara, Bullmark, TOMY, and Marusan were the leading toy exporters. Takara and TOMY later merged into a well known global Japanese company responsible for trademark licenses such as Transformers, Pokemon, and even Tomika Toys.
In the 1960's, thousands and thousands of American serviceman were still stationed on bases in Japan and Okinawa for the Japanese population to sell goods to for income. Families that possessed arts and crafts skills could manufacture goods under an unregistered trademark for commerce and still have legal protection without a patent or registered trademark with Japan. It was part of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. (est.1932 & rev.1994)
A Japanese artisan toy maker was allowed to manufacture goods and export them as long as the product did not imitate another product or brand name. Any deceptive practices to confuse buyers would be registered trademark infringement and patent violations. Selling unregistered trademarks within regions of Japan was allowed and not deception by Japanese Law. This would be the American equivalent of a small business in Texas making homemade barbecue sauce called Bulls & Eyes and only selling to food stores only in rural areas or door to door. If the label has no registered trademark or patent pending, you could avoid trademark infringement violations of Bullseye BBQ sauce if your demographic does not have Bullseye BBQ sauce.
Now to the maker of this penguin....Tomi. This small manufacturer was obviously riding on the "coat tails" of the Japanese toy giant TOMY (Takara Tomy since 2006) and selling in Japan.
Tomi is an unauthorized trademarked manufacturer that was short lived from 1960-1971 and actually changed its logo a few times. This item is part of a cuddly toy collection that included other animals like bears, horses, dogs, deer, and even a seal. Hand stitched out of leather and filled with sawdust, Tomi made high quality stuffed animals. Because of the material of this penguin, I would not recommend this as a safe baby toy for modern use. Be that as it may, it is still a great vintage collectible and was made to stand the test of time.
This penguin is in great condition with stitching intact and no filling leaks. A few scuffs, but overall a nice find.
6" Tall
3" Wide
2.5 ounces Weight
Tomi in Japanese means "wealth" for a fun fact:)

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