Takahashi Birds

Takahashi Birds

NOW AVAILABLE: The definitive book on Takahashi birds! Authors: Carol Takahashi and Julie C. Carroll For pre-orders go to Collector Books at http://www.collectorbooks.com/items/item_detail.php?item_num=8289

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Created by Yoneguma and Kiyoka Takahashi, these marvelous wood birds are miniature works of art. The Takahashi family were among many Japanese-Americans confined in Poston Camp, AZ after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

While in the camp, they participated in a craft class where they learned to carve and paint small birds and after release (3 1/2 years later) they turned this craft into a family business that continued for 40 years.

Yoneguma carved the birds out of white holly wood, starting with a jig saw, then smoothing and sanding the bird. When done, Kiyoka painted the birds (using an Audubon bird book for reference) with watercolors using fine camel hair brushes. 10 coats of lacquer were then applied.

A good day's production was 10 birds. The birds were mostly sold via word of mouth, though a couple of department stores (such as Gump's) carried them. Production was mostly lapel pins, but earrings were also made. Price on the birds in the early days was $2, but in the 1980s, the birds sold for $40.

Initially more than 100 species were made, both male and female, but eventually about 25 different birds were offered regularly for sale.

Some birds created before the 1970s have the initials K.T.; after 1970, the initials K&Y.T. with the date appear. Some are dated without initials.

There were copies made in the 1970s; these can most easily be identified by the manner in which the pin was attached. The Takahashi birds use small push pins while the repro pin backs are screwed into the wood.

April 9, 20061 - 40 of 55 Images40708 visitsAlbum by Cathy Gordon

Takahashi hummingbirds except for the bottom one.	Takahashi Northern Cardinals -- female on right.	Takahashi pheasants: top: ? Bottom: Lady Amhearst pheasant (from card)	Takahashi [bird type?]
Takahashi bluebirds.	Takahashi chickadees -- TL: Chestnut-backed TR and BR: Black-capped	Takahashi painted bunting	Takahashi parakeet
Takahashi painted bunting.	Takahashi redpoll	Japanese POW-carved American robin	Takahashi Western screech owl
Group of 4 birds that are not Takahashi birds. All have the pinbacks with screws. Details are not so finely painted as a Takahashi and the lacquer isn't as shiny.	K.T. signature. Note the correct pin attachments -- small push-pins.	Pin back of bird copied to look like a Takahashi. According to Carol Takahashi, any bird with screws holding the pinback is NOT a Takahashi. These were made in the 1970s.	Another knock-off -- bluejay
Sold on eBay: Baltimore oriole	Sold on eBay: Canada goose	Comparison of two blue jays. Top is knock-off, bottom is Takahashi. Some difference from the front: - coloration, and paint on the T is more sophisticated in style - wing on the K-O has some relief while the T is smooth - branch on the K-O is straight while the T is crooked and more natural	Back comparison of the knock-off (top) and Takahashi (bottom). Most important thing to note is the use of screws to affix the pin back on the KO versus the push pins on the T. The T is signed, but this was inconsistent. According to Carol Takahashi, her grandmother only put her initials on "hte best" birds.
My Takahashi bird tree made by my honey for my birthday. Still plenty of room for more birds!	Another view of the bird tree in its corner -- real wood trunk!	Takahashi owl	Takahashi Green Kingfisher
Takahashi roadrunner.	Takahashi ?	Takahashi female Scarlett Tanager.	Takahashi Goose
Takahashi robin.	Takahashi red-headed woodpecker.	Takahashi Blue Jay with reddish belly feathers. Marked K.T. 1980.	Takahashi Golden Crown Kinglet
Takahashi gray owl.	Takahashi Kingfisher (facing right).	Takahashi Lady Pheasant marked K.T. 1981.	Takahashi Ring-Necked Pheasant marked K.T. 1981.
Takahashi Meadowlark marked K.T. 1981.	Takahashi pink Cockatoo marked K.T.	Takahashi Female Thrush.	Takahashi Male Thrush.