Melody in Motion Figurines Pictures are below on this Page.
Click Here to go to the 19 Figurines that are Available
It's this refreshing dedication
to fun that results in a unique line of figurines that
combines
porcelain
craftsmanship,
electronics
and
mechanical
movement.
Each Melody In Motion figurine is equipped with a precision motor that
drives a tape player and an assortment of gears, cams and levers custom designed
to produce graceful, lifelike motions. The complex products - the typical
figurine includes 150 individual pieces - have captivated the imagination of
collectors the world over. And with MMC at the helm, Collectors will continue to
be delighted by fanciful pieces that evoke a smile.
Since the inception of MIM, the driving force behind each figurine has been
Kato. Born in Kamakura, an ancient, historical city in eastern Japan,
Kato
soon
learned
to
appreciate
the
fine
arts
from the many artists in his family including his father, a scenario
writer for a Japanese movie company, and his late uncle, Academy award-winning
director Akira Kurosawa.
After moving back to Japan from the states in 1975, Kato joined and served as
Director of Research and Development for the Tokyo-based Wagner Shokai Inc., the
manufacturer of battery-operated casino and other novelty and gift products. In
1978, he moved back to New York City to establish the U. S. branch of Wagner
Shokai, Inc. In 1982 the company moved to New Jersey, and although still
affiliated with Wagner Shokai, the company became an independent entity and
changed its name to WACO Products.
The
company
fared
well
distributing
gifts
and
novelty
items
(including
the
Coca-Cola
Dancing
Can
and
Rock'n
Flowers)
to American markets.
The Melody In Motion figurines trace their roots to 1972, when Wagner Shokai
introduced a plastic whistling hobo figure that produced sound via a built-in
bellows and whistle. Unfortunately, the sound level was not loud enough to be
heard in the retail environment and failed to capture the attention of American
consumers. It was discontinued within a year.
By 1984, WACO and Wagner Shokai Inc. had found a better way to produce sound. A
recording device called
"Tape
A
Message"
incorporated
an
endless
loop
tape. It was well received in gift markets throughout the United States
and Japan. Kato and Eddie Itoh, President of Wagner Shokai, began looking for
other products in which they could incorporate the sound technology, and soon
hit upon the idea of porcelain figurines. That, in turn, revived the idea of the
whistling hobo, and they began searching for a way to manufacture a collectible
figurine that combined finely crafted porcelain, high-quality sound and
life-like movement. Most people told them they were crazy.
"At the beginning there was no one willing to venture into the idea,"
Kato says. "We were told many times that porcelain figurines should not
move, and that using one motor to move the sound mechanism and the body wasn't
practical - that it would cause distortion of the sound."
Kato and Itoh believed in their ideas, and drew upon their talent and creative
skills to turn it into reality. Because each part of the production process
required different skills and manufacturing techniques, Wagner Shokai arranged
to have different parts of the figurines produced by a variety of subsidiary
companies and contractors throughout Japan.
In
1985,
the
company
introduced
the
first
Melody
In
Motion
figurines,
Willie
the
Hobo,
Willie
the
Whistler
and
Willie
the
Trumpeter. The line was an instant success, and to date over 150 Melody In
Motion products have been introduced, including some created especially for
European markets. Many products are limited editions, with an average edition
size of 5,000, while others are retired after several years with no
pre-specified edition number. Although some of the line's large, highly detailed
amusement park carousel replicas are priced at $3,000 or more, most Melody In
Motion pieces range from $200 - $300.
All pieces in the collection begin with Kato, who writes a story line describing
the concept and movement of the figurine. After drawings are created by an
artist, Kato chooses the music for the piece then consults with a music director
who writes a score and arranges audio production using live musicians or
professional musicians' sound samples. The drawings and music then go to a
sculptor who makes clay models for the basic figurine and its separate moving
parts, and an engineer who designs the internal mechanism. After final approval,
molds are produced and the pieces are cast, hand-painted and fitted with the
precision mechanical and electronic parts that bring Melody In Motion figurines
to life.
Kato adds, "I love to create something to entertain people. The 'Star' of
our Melody In Motion line is Willie, a hobo with a free spirit. When creating,
I
try
to
think
like
a
free-spirited
hobo
so I can continue to create more fun for our collectors. Life should be filled
with fun. It's always there; we just don't always realize it. All we have to do
sometimes is change our perspective and everything will be all right."
~SAME DAY SHIPPING~
Just put your cursor over the picture and get the number and e-mail us or call and we will get back to you with a price. You can also click on the image to enlarge.
~Click on the image to Enlarge~
Just put your cursor over the picture and get the number and e-mail us or call and we will get back to you with a price. You can also click on the image to enlarge.
~SAME DAY SHIPPING~
Click Here to go to the 19 Figurines that are Available
CONTACT
US
Back
to
Top
of
Page
WITH ALL ORDERS IN THE UNITED STATES!
is proud to be an 
for these fine clocks.