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Exploring the toy market in the Song Dynasty: there are specialized hand workshops for wholesale and retail separation
In the heart of ancient Song Dynasty, a scene unfolds in the bustling city of Tokyo. A man in the market holds an object in his hand—two clever sticks with a small rope in the middle, and when held, it makes a ringing sound. This is known as “Hu Knock,†a simple yet fascinating toy that captures the imagination of children and adults alike.
This toy, called “Hu Knock,†is essentially a drum made by using a **gyro** to rotate on a balance ring, producing sound. The clever stick serves as a mallet, while the small rope connects two sticks, creating a rhythmic effect. These toys were not only entertainment but also a reflection of the creativity and craftsmanship of the time.
During the Song Dynasty, toys became popular commodities, often sold in markets and enjoyed by children during festivals. In Li Wei’s *The Vendor Map*, we see a lively scene where vendors sell various items, including drums that functioned like toys. In the Northern Song period, Shang Wenying described how General Cao Bin, as a child, was fascinated by ritual objects such as cockroaches and beans, showing early signs of natural talent.
Another example is found in *Wan Xiu Niu Qiu Bao Shan Ting Er*, which describes the sale of toys in the marketplace. A young man named Xiao Ge, who was once lazy, was persuaded to work in a "mountain pavilion" (a type of miniature scenery), where he sold small toys like buildings and figures. His brother would buy hundreds of yuan worth of toys from Jiaojijia, including Shantinger, Yier, Baotaer, Shiqiaoer, Pingfeng, and figures, then resell them at a profit.
These examples show that Song Dynasty toys were deeply loved by children and had become part of their cultural traditions. There were specialized workshops producing toys of different quality levels, and a clear distinction between wholesale and retail trade existed.
The toy market in the Song Dynasty was vast and diverse, offering everything from small silver guns and chess sets to kites, buckets, woven pots, and shadow puppets. According to *Wulin Old Things*, high-end toys were made with exquisite materials, often featuring intricate carvings and decorated with pearls and jade. Some of these luxury toys could cost tens of thousands of coins, making them highly valuable.
One popular toy was the small plastic earth couple, known as “mud baby.†These were delicate, available in various sizes, and could be worn by both men and women. They were especially favored by the people, with southerners calling them “Qiaoer.†Suzhou's Mubab was a famous brand, and there was even a “Baby Lane†in Hangzhou, where children played with mud toys. Visitors to West Lake were said to have no face if they didn’t buy a Suzhou mud child.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, a craftsman in Shaanxi created tiny mud babies, about two or three inches tall, with graceful postures that were unmatched. A single mud baby could be sold for 10 coins, while a set of five to seven could cost up to 30,000. In the Southern Song period, Yuan Yuchang from Wu County was renowned for his clay children, whose lifelike features—teeth, eyebrows, hair, and clothing—were so realistic that they were considered masterpieces. A pair of these dolls could cost thirty to forty feet, showcasing the high value placed on artistic craftsmanship.