Talented 80-Year Old Japanese Craftsman Wants to Keep Making Toys Until He’s 200 Years Old

AJ+ sat down with the incredibly talented toymaker Masaaki Hiroi, who, at 80-years old, finds so much joy in hand-crafting his uniquely humorous, highly sought-after Edo spinning tops for children of all ages, that he wishes he could live 200 years so he “can work hard and do a better job”.

Cutting-edge technology is fun, but it’s a pity if children become absorbed only in those toys. There are traditional toys and traditional ways to play in Japan, one of them is spinning top. I am sad to see so many old toys become obsolete around the world. I can only wish that children continue to play with both new and old toy. I want to make people who buy my toys to laugh and make toys that anyone, old and young, men and women can enjoy. We are given such little time.

via Yiying Yu