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It Takes A Village

My diorama features a Japanese kit model of an Edo period cargo ship, Higaki Kaisen (circa 1740). I've christened my version as "Ongakuka Maru" (on the ship's rear ensign), which means: "Musician- (SHIP)...pun intended.

The model is 1/72 scale and was a challenge to build since the instructions were all in Japanese. There also wasn't a straight line anywhere on the hull...but, with some help here on the forum (Clare Hess), I got this wildly interesting and challenging ship model completed. This kit is extremely well-engineered, seemingly historically accurate and has excellent quality materials, especially the aromatic cypress wood used throughout. I did modify and add some Swiss Pear. It was also loads of fun to make the village house, the setting along Japan's coastline, and of course, adding the figures which animates the ship.

Thanks for looking.

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5 Album Comments

Landlubber Mike

Posted (edited)

That’s really beautiful Ron.  Feels like you’re right there.  Well done!

Edited by Landlubber Mike
Scott Mitchell

Posted

At first thought I was looking at a video game. Then realized it was a amazing build. Some great work right there.

hollowneck

Posted (edited)

Thanks, Scott. This is not your Xbox!😆

 

This ship build was challenging (particularly the Japanese manual!), but I had a lot of fun doing the entire project. After fabricating the main build for the ship, there was not very thorough information about how the single, immense sail was handled, so I had to try and figure this out with logic. Which explains why in some of my photos there are still mini-alligators dangling from a couple of the sail control lines! I did fix these eventually.

 

Doing the village setting brought together my different interests (as well as experimenting with a host of different diorama materials) in placing this period ship in a real-world, historical setting.

 

I give credit to WoodyJoe (Japanese kit company) for a superbly-designed kit, and assistance on the "Higaki Kaisen" build from MSW'er, Clare Hess (catopower).

 

Ron

 

Edited by hollowneck
hollowneck

Posted

Thanks Mike - and Theodosius. My 5 y/o granddaughter told me that this one is her favorite. She doesn't have an on line life yet.😲

 

Ron

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