Maywa Denki - music instruments, devices and toysMaywa Denki – Novmichi Tosa (JP)

Music instruments, devices, toys, video, 1993

Otamatone is a musical instrument that looks like a tadpole (in Japanese the word for tadpole, otamajakushi, is often associated with musical notes because of its shape). Everybody can play it by tapping or sliding the finger up and down the neck and by squeezing the face at the bottom to close or open the mouth, producing different effects.

Otamatone DeLuxe is 1.5 times bigger than the normal Otamatone and comes with a strap, suitable for professional use. It has an AC adapter jack and a stereo earphone/amplifier jack.

Otamatone Melody allows the user to play 11 well-known melodies by pushing the button with the right intervals. It’s small, but the 3 octave range and the vibrato effect of the Otamatone are maintained.

Otamatone Charm is a lovely charm that also functions as a screwdriver for Otamatone’s battery box.

Chihuahua Whistle barks like a little dog when you blow. This simple toy was the origin of Otamatone.

YUREX™ is a collaborative project between Maywa Denki and KAYAC. In Japan the nervous shaking of one’s leg is called “Binbo-Yusuri" and considered a sad habit. "Binbo" means "poor" in Japanese. But actually it draws out your inner beat while you concentrate. YUREX™ is the first device that enhances your concentration and your creativity by capturing and visualizing your “Creative Beat Pattern”.

Bitman is a portable display electronic device. Bitman does various dances, depending on the interaction with his owner. When the alarm goes off, Bitman will dance to music to wake up his owner.

Zihotch is a time-announcing wristwatch with “morning call” function. The user has to dial 117 to hear what time it is.

Na-Cord is an electrical extension cord complete with fish head (male end) and tailfin (female end). It is one of Maywa Denki's signature pieces.

Na-cord strap is a cell phone strap in the shape of Na-cord.

Savao strap is a cell phone strap with the face of a 13-week fetus and a measuring tape for your wrist.

KnockMan is a wind-up musical instrument with a drum head. Knocking starts when the right arm is released. His heart turns around as well. To wind up, hold his right arm and move the left arm. The left arm can also be turned to knock another person. Pok Pok Pok... Knocking his head, KnockMan.

Coron. Is his arm position ready for dancing? Then wind the spring on his back and let him start dancing and playing the sound!! It makes him happy, Coron, coron, goes the sound, while he shakes his bottom and dances!

Pololon. Make sure to tune the strings before the performance starts. Hold his right arm and move the left arm up and down, to wind the spring. Loosen his right arm and he starts playing guitar. Polo, Pololon, goes the sound…The tall and slim guitarist plays and swings with all his heart.

Maywa Denki – Novmichi Tosa (JP)

Maywa Denki is an art unit produced by Novmichi Tosa. It was founded in 1993 by Novmichi and his elder brother Masamichi Tosa, and is named after the electronic device company their father used to run until its bankruptcy in 1979 as a result of the nationwide economic crisis. The unit symbolizes the small/medium-sized enterprises that had once supported Japan’s economy during its high-growth period. Their “uniform” simulates a typical working uniform of Japanese electric stores; each piece of Maywa Denki’s work is called "a product"; and a live performance is held as "a product demonstration". Day by day, as the president of the company, Novmichi works hard to provide the customers with a dream of "Life with Maywa Denki". In addition to the NAKI Series, fish-motif nonsense machines, and the Tsukuba Series, original musical instruments, which were co-developed by the brothers, the EDELWEISS Series and the VOICE MECHANICS Series started in 2001 as Novmichi’s new projects. Besides the products, instruments and art projects, Toy Series such as Knockman Family was developed as an easy-to-play toy for everybody.

Maywa Denki has exhibited widely and received numerous prizes, including the Grand Prix in Art Artists Audition II (sponsored by Sony Music Entertainment), 1993, Excellence Prize of the interactive category of Digital Arts at Japan Media Arts Festival, 2000, Distinction for the Interactive Art category at Ars Electronica, 2003. In October 2003, Maywa Denki was featured at the Expo, Human Beings & Robots held in Paris. In 2010Otamatone was awarded the Grand Prix in the High Target Toy category by Japan Toy Association. Maywa Denki is extending its activities overseas including exhibitions and performances all over the world, as Tosa explores new approaches to the wider public.

Novmichi Tosa (President)
April 1967, born in Hyogo Prefecture
March 1992, Department of Arts Study, Postgraduate Course, Tsukuba University, Awarded Master’s Degree
May 1993 – Mar. 2001, Vice President of Maywa Denki
April 2001– present, President of Maywa Denki (succeeded on Masamichi Tosa’s retirement: Masamichi is currently the Chairman)

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