Kodomo no Kagaku Magazine: Science For Kids

Founded in 1924, Kodomo no Kagaku (”Science for Kids”) is THE magazine for Japanese kids to recreate scientific looking stuff until today. And right now, Tokyo’s INAX Gallery 1 is holding the The Age of Crafts - Growing up with ‘Kodomo no Kagaku’ exhibition, which features recreations of projects featured in the magazine’s issues of the 1950s and 60s. How cute! Remember, these projects symbolise an age when electric washing machines and lunar landing vessels held a deep fascination throughout the nation. PingMag went to INAX for a trip into the past with kids’ wonderful science projects.

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Kevin Mcgue

Kodomo no Kagaku (”Science for Kids”) was and still is a magazine that introduces the fundamentals of branches of science from botany to space exploration. The magazine was perhaps most famous for its science projects, which would teach children to make things such as paper airplanes and miniature models of household appliances. Kodomo no Kagaku was founded in 1924, and since then it has garnered many loyal fans, including many people who continue to read it long after becoming adults, scientists – and even Nobel Prize winners.

The recreations of the old science projects were constructed by the group Nejimawashi (”screwdriver”), which runs a “toy hospital,” volunteering to fix broken toys. The volunteers in this group grew up making the projects featured in Kodomo no Kagaku, then went on to work as technician or engineers. After retiring, they went on to do this volunteer work. Some of the projects featured in the exhibition are models of washing machines and electric mixers, which were highly coveted appliances when these people were young. Sweet nostalgia!

A miniature model of a washing machine by Toshiba, a big hit in Japan in 1952.

The inside of the washing machine model with blades to turn the clothes. The lid for this model was made from a cheap tea saucer. Clever!

A model of an electric mixer that went on sale in 1952. The top and bottom of the model are made from containers found at a ¥100 shop.

A rather complicated project: a model of a wire operated cable car.

Special about the projects in Kodomo no Kagaku was that the instructions were simply blueprints. Whereas many magazines for kids include projects with whole illustrations of how to put the model together, or include a kit of all the needed parts that anyone could easily put together.

On display in the exhibition are plans for a model train that appeared in the magazine in the 1960s. There is a detailed blueprint and some building instructions on the other side – but that is all! According to the exhibition booklet, “Although the projects in Kodomo no Kagaku looked simple, when one actually tried to make them, they were actually quite complex. Even after the basic shape was made, the builder had to think of how to make it move. Thinking through these problems was actually more important than the printed instructions.”

So, why was Kodomo no Kagaku giving such complex projects to kids? A quote from Mitsuo Harada, the founder of the magazine, sheds some light on the question. “The most important goal of this magazine is to make people understand what true science is. Science makes clear the rules of nature, and by understanding these, we can enjoy our lives and contribute to civilisation.” Current editor-in-chief, Bungo Kashiwagi, has this to add: “Children’s knowledge and curiosity is not any less varied or deep that that of adults. For example, kids who love collecting insects are very good at remembering the scientific names of insects in reference books. By simplifying information somewhat and putting the focus on fun projects, I believe that we are able to teach children true science.”

A rubber band-powered model airplane.

An “Egyptian water clock,” powered by, of course, water.

With Kodomo no Kagaku projects, the most important thing is making objects with your own hands while thinking through the challenges of the project. This allows kids to really understand its principles by watching it take shape in front of their own eyes, making the parts move through their own work. This magazine was founded in times different than our own, when kids did not have pocket money and it was difficult for them to get parts and tools for their project. However, seeking out the items they needed made them use their imagination.

Thanks to everyone at the INAX Gallery. If you are in Tokyo, definitely go see the exhibition!

Exhibition:
The Age of Crafts - Growing up with “Kodomo no Kagaku”
Venue: INAX Gallery 1
Address:
Inax Ginza Building, 3-6-18 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Map.
Running until Saturday, May 24th.
Closed Sundays.

10 Comments

1. In Poland, from 70’s to 90’s was published similar magazine called ‘Mlody technik’ (young technician). They published a lot of blueprints and scheme for toys, plane models and radios.

   Posted by: Tomek on May 15th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

2. [...] ryoko wrote an interesting post today on Kodomo no Kagaku Magazine: Science For KidsHere’s a quick excerptFounded in 1924, Kodomo no Kagaku (”Science for Kids”) is THE magazine for Japanese kids to recreate scientific looking stuff until today. And right now, Tokyo’s INAX Gallery 1 is holding the The Age of Crafts - Growing up with ‘Kodomo … [...]

   Posted by: Magazine » Kodomo no Kagaku Magazine: Science For Kids on May 15th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

3. I would probably have enjoyed science more if it was like this.

   Posted by: Aikyrie on May 16th, 2008 at 1:38 am

4. it was like that, duh, still is~

   Posted by: chompers on May 16th, 2008 at 2:26 am

5. Wow, this is amazing. I really wish I had grown up with sort of thing, here in Canada.

   Posted by: Koob on May 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am

6. Hay,,,,, boleh nih mampirr :)

   Posted by: Ze_Ze on May 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

7. [...] PingMag These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web [...]

   Posted by: Design Enterprise » Blog Archive » Kodomo no Kagaku Magazine: Science For Kids on May 17th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

8. The vintage hand-painted covers are really awesome

   Posted by: Lucía on May 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 am

9. This magazine has been published from the same publiher as IDEA magazine

   Posted by: km on June 17th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

10. [...] Founded in 1924, Kodomo no Kagaku (”Science for Kids”) is THE magazine for Japanese kids to recreate scientific looking stuff until today. And right now, Tokyo’s INAX Gallery 1 is holding the The Age of Crafts - Growing up with ‘Kodomo no Kagaku’ exhibition, which features recreations of projects featured in the magazine’s issues of the 1950s and 60s. How cute! Remember, these projects symbolise an age when electric washing machines and lunar landing vessels held a deep fascination throughout the nation. PingMag went to INAX for a trip into the past with kids’ wonderful science projects. Read the full story>>> [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue - Tokyo-Based Journalist & Filmmaker » Kodomo no Kagaku Magazine: Science For Kids on March 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 pm

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