Marusan was a Japanese toy and model company founded in 1913 in Tokyo by Yoshihiro Ochi, The company was originally called Maruzensha but it changed its name to Marusan in 1923 initially focusing on importing and distributing foreign toys in Japan. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that Marusan began manufacturing its own toys and models, becoming one of the leading toy companies in Japan.

Marusan's early products included wooden toys, such as cars, airplanes, and trains. In the 1930s, the company began to produce metal toys, such as tanks, ships, and airplanes. Marusan also produced a line of tinplate toys, which were popular in Japan during the 1940s.

In the aftermath of World War II, Japan experienced a surge in demand for toys as the country sought to rebuild and recover. Marusan capitalized on this opportunity by producing a wide range of toys, including tinplate vehicles, dolls, more...

12 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Marusan, Japan: a tin plate litho battery operated stop & Go…

Marusan Stop & Go Coin Driver with Original Packaging

Marusan, Japan: a tin plate litho battery operated stop & Go coin driver, original packaging, packaging: 25 x 12 x 10 cm

Marusan Kosuge Cadillac Japanese tinplate friction toy, mid…

Japanese Tinplate Friction Cadillac Toy, Mid-20th Century

Marusan Kosuge Cadillac Japanese tinplate friction toy, mid 20th century, later re-painted finish to the underside, 32 cm long

San toys, Marusan Japan, lithographed tinplate aircraft carrier.…

Clockwork Aircraft Carrier with US Air Force Planes

San toys, Marusan Japan, lithographed tinplate aircraft carrier. Nicely detailed with 8 US Air Force planes on the deck, side guns and control tower. Clockwork single screw motor working well. Excellent condition. Length 38 cm

Marusan toys, Japan: Studebaker friction powered G203 Kosuge…

Friction Powered Studebaker Tin Toy by Marusan, Japan (1950)

Marusan toys, Japan: Studebaker friction powered G203 Kosuge tin toy, c.1950, 18 x 8 x 6 cm

Model car, tinplate GM Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Marusan Co.…

Tinplate Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Model Car in Box

Model car, tinplate GM Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Marusan Co. Ltd boxed

Boxed San Marusan Toys, Japan Construction Road Tractor,…

San Marusan Toys Construction Road Tractor

Boxed San Marusan Toys, Japan Construction Road Tractor, printed tinplate friction 16 cm

Boxed Marusan Toys, Japan Arrow A-37 Speed Boat, printed…

Marusan Japan Arrow A-37 Tinplate Friction Speed Boat

Boxed Marusan Toys, Japan Arrow A-37 Speed Boat, printed tinplate friction 28 cm

A Marusan Japan tin SSN 571 Skate Submarine

Rare Marusan Skate Submarine Tin Toy from Japan

A Marusan Japan tin SSN 571 Skate Submarine

A Marusan Japan fire engine

Marusan Japan Fire Truck

A Marusan Japan fire engine

A sea Swallow Speed boat tin litho toy by Marusan toys and a…

Vintage Tin Toy Boats: Swallow Speed & Sky Flyer Zeppelin

A sea Swallow Speed boat tin litho toy by Marusan toys and a Sky Flyer Zeppelin tin toy by Marx (2)

Smoky Bear, Marusan Toys, (Japanese) battery-operated toy, (OCB)

Smoky Bear Battery Toy by Marusan

Smoky Bear, Marusan Toys, (Japanese) battery-operated toy, (OCB)

Marusan (Japan) tinplate star fire model, circa 1950s, unboxed…

Marusan Tinplate Star Fire Model (1950s)

Marusan (Japan) tinplate star fire model, circa 1950s, unboxed (F-G)