A Snow White theatre program from Japan. Measures 7" x 10". According to Heritage Auctions, it dates from 1950. Note the ad on the rear cover includes English text along the bottom for "Kiss Me" brand lip gloss by Japanese-based Isehan Cosmetics, Ltd.

Front and back covers



Sample pages

Menko is an old Japanese game where players take turns tossing cards on the ground. If one player is successful in flipping another's card, she gets to picks up both. The winner is the one with the most cards at the conclusion of the game.

Menko cards are typically made from thick paperboard material. They can be round or rectangular and have printing on one or both sides. They are usually illustrated with images that are popular in the culture. This set of cards features cartoon characters from the late 1930s and early '40s. Included in the group is Doc and a couple forest animals from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The cards vary is size. Popeye is the largest at 4" (10 cm) across. The others all measure about 2.25" (6 cm) and appear to be unauthorized reproductions of Disney characters: Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, Hiawatha, Mickey Mouse, and a couple of the Three Little Pigs.

In celebration of Walt Disney's 100th birthday in 2001, multiple series of "100 Years of Magic" pins were released at Mickey & Pals stores in Japan. There were loads of pins to choose from in this collection! Here's the Snow White-themed offerings along with the date they were issued and original retail price.

Snow White with apple. March 5, 2001. LE 1500. ¥580.




Train engine with Dopey, Alice, Mickey. March 2001. Open edition. ¥500.



Train car with Snow White, Fairy Godmother, Cheshire Cat, Dumbo. March 15, 2001. Open edition. ¥500.



Mickey, Dopey, Dumbo with flags. March 15, 2001. Open edition. ¥500.



Mickey, Dopey, Dumbo with flags.  April 5, 2001. LE 2400. ¥680.




Snow White and Prince. June 5, 2001. LE 3000. ¥580.



Seven Dwarfs dangle. August 5, 2001. LE 2600. ¥680.




Dopey's included on a 3-pin train. September 2001. LE 3000. ¥1000.



A gift-with-purchase pin from Mickey & Pals, given out to customers who spent 2000 yen or more. Snow White is pictured with Huey, Dewey and Louie. Back of pin reads, "© Disney, NOT FOR SALE, Sponsored by DLA".

A tiny tin teacup and matching saucer. Litho on both features an illustration (most likely unlicensed) of Disney's Snow White and the Three Little Pigs. Cup size: 1.8 cm tall x 5 cm diameter; saucer 6.5 cm across. "Made in Japan" imprint on both. Probably date from 1950s.

Cottage-shaped candy tin featuring Snow White and six of the dwarfs on the lid with a Dopey figure attached to the "roof". The Old With is pictured on a side panel. Dimensions: 7" H x 5" W x 2.25" D. Sold at Tokyo Disneyland.

In July 2017, Snow White collector, Andrew Longmire, purchased this Seven Dwarfs cap at the Disney Store inside Ikspiari (Japan's version of Downtown Disney at Tokyo Disneyland). The embroidered graphics wrap around the front and sides. Original retail: ¥4,860 / USD $43.00 / AUD $55.00.




Andrew had his hat signed by Snow White too!




The hat is sold out online at the Japan Disney Store.



Special thanks to Andrew for sharing these images and info.

Gashapon (or gachapon) are tiny vending machine capsule toys sold in Japan. In the US, vending toys tend to be cheap and of a low-quality. Yet Japanese gashapon are just the opposite--with greater fine detailing. Many are made from high-grade PVC plastic. They cost more and are highly sought-after as collectable items.

The following Snow White gashapon were purchased directly from vending machines in Japan and images come to us courtesy of the Cheryl Ridge Collection. They date from the late 1990s to early 2000s. The figures range in size from around 2 to 8 cm tall. This first set is by Tomy, the rest were produced by Yujin, now a subsidiary of Takara Tomy ARTS. In addition to the figures, lots of other capsule items have also been issued--tiny stationary, mugs, plates, towels.

• Tomy Snow White Figure Collection. Set of eight.

• Yujin Disney Character Figure Collection. A multi-set series with lots of characters. This is set no.6 which features eight mini figures including Snow White and Dopey. Each comes with a clear stackable and connectable display case.

• Yujin Snow White Figurines. Set of eight. Larger and heavier than other Yujin series.

• Yujin Snow White Mini Blister Pack Collection. Set of eight.

• Yujin Seven Dwarfs Stationary Toys. Set of seven figures, tree sections, and stationary items. Happy/crayons, Sleepy/pencil, Dopey/sticky tape dispenser, Doc/magnets, Grumpy/pen, Sneezy/paper clips, Bashful/pencil sharpener. Individual log sections can be stacked to form a tree.

• Yujin Disney Character Mini Mug Cups. Ceramic, not plastic. Snow White included in series. Two movie scenes on each. Set of 12 (11 pictured below).

• Yujin Disney Character Mini Plates. Ceramic, not plastic. Snow White included in series. Set size unknown.

• Yujin Disney Character Metal Plate Selection (keychains). Snow White included in series. Set of 10.

• Yujin Disney Princess Mini Handkerchiefs. Set of six. Includes Snow White. Measure approximately 16 cm across.

• Yujin Snow White. Series unknown. Measures 4 cm high.

See a 2014 gashapon series of Disney Princess statue figures in an earlier Archive entry. Also the Furuta Choco Egg Set and the Putitto Series.