KESHIGOMU (Japanese Erasers)

This space reserved for a more in depth introduction and summary by someone (besides me) that is more familiar with these neat little toys  

For now here is a brief summary found on Wikipedia :



Keshi (Japanese: 消し or ケシ) aka keshigomu (消しゴム, for Keshi Gum) is the Japanese word for eraser. Modern reference to "keshi" is related to a collectible manga/anime character mini figure made of colored hard gum. However, keshi is not restrictive to its etymology but a generic term as several gum types are used, from matte to transparent. Also, some lines, such as the "Cosmos Souls Keshi Gum" (コスモスザウルス消しゴム, kosumosu saurusu keshi gomu) uses plastic parts. Keshi figures are not necessarily based on Japanese comic book nor TV series franchises, since there are keshi dedicated to video games (Super Mario, Zelda, etc.) and some western lines are based on local mythologies and popular culture. A similar product is often mistaken with keshi, the pencil cap toy (ペンシル キャップ, penshiru kyappu) which appeared around the same period.

Keshi Types :

Although vending machines keshi are often considered as standard size, three different material are used, hard gum, plastic or gum w/plastic parts. Even though dark salmon matte color mini figures are the quickest types identified as keshi in western countries, due to the famous M.U.S.C.L.E. line, there are actually a wide variety of gum from matte to bright, from translucent to transparent, from white to black, including the deluxe painted types.

Dekakeshi

Dekakeshi (デカ消し) are big size keshi released by the Marukoshi company prior to Bandai's popular lines.

Keshi

The standard keshi are 5/5.5 cm mini figures sold in transparent plastic capsules available in Bandai vending machines known as "gachagacha" (ガチャガチャ).

Chibikeshi

Chibikeshi (チビ消し) are mini size keshi released by Bandai.

SDkeshi

SDkeshi (SD消し) are Super Deformed mini size keshi released by Bandai.

Full color keshi

Full color keshi are deluxe, hand painted, keshi. Originally made in Japan, these art keshi were later manufactured in China to reduce production cost.

Glowing keshi

Glowing in the dark western keshi lines or series made of phosphorescent gum and similar to Playskool's GLO Friends contemporary mini figures line.


Keshi Packages :

The keshi are sold in transparent plastic capsules (1~5 figures), opaque bags (1/2), plastic pots (10-pack), partially transparent carton box sets (28), or the regular transparent plastic pack (3~6). Some lines have special packages like the Exogini pyramid ships (20/40) in Italy, or the 205-figure collector set released in Japan (Kinkeshi). Some keshi are offered in washing powder packages, crisps or cereals bags. Catalogue color leaflets are included in Japanese capsule keshi, showing the series figures. Such series are named "PART", or its Japanese equivalent "パート" (pāto) and "ぱと" (pato), by Bandai and other brands.

DEKAKESHI (デカ消し) :

Click on any of the photos below for full size image :


Dekakeshi are larger sized Keshi erasers that were released by the Marukoshi company before Bandai's popular lines started being produced in the 1980's '

The most common way that these were obtained were from special "Lottery Tickets" hidden in a "blind bag" purchase of a small Keshi figure(s) . The lucky winner would be allowed to pick a Dekakeshi from the candy shop owner    .



C-3PO

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This figure is 3 1/4 " tall and Unarticulated


Back :

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There is not a actual date stamped on this figure , but , it does have GMFGI on the back of the right leg and C-3PO on the back of the left leg .

The best I can gather at this point is that Dekakeshi Star Wars figures were produced/released between 1977 to 1980

Howdy All,

I'm still collecting notes on this realm of Keshi myself and will post more but there was a request of images.  Very small set in a Riker display and uh... I just got offered an "extras" set I couldn't pass on.  It's a mix of types from the start to the bootlegs.  I really don't like instant collections but I couldn't pass this up.  I haven't shared this with many people just yet even but I'm so excited by the opportunity.  lol

Wayne

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Howdy All,

Maybe I need to slow down on posting but I just a Takara Black Jawa;  I thought I'd be looking quite a bit longer for an example to add to my collection but I just so lucky with this lot.  I'm truly over the moon with this little guy.  Only getting a Bantha right now could even come close to how I feel right now, best medicine eeeeeever (said like a 80s valley girl lol ).

Wayne

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