Almost two months since my return, I finally had time to pen my travel journal to the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show. This was my second trip to Japan within a month after making the video recording for Model Art's instructional DVD on figure painting late last April; only this time I had the fine company of my old time modelling friend Bernard Cher of the M Workshop to participate as an exhibiting member of Team ASEAN.
Yuki Fugita, the young man behind the recent injection molded figures from Tamiya realized with live 3D scanning and rapid prototyping technology.
With an old friends - Shige whom I first met in Euro Militaire in 2000 and Eric Philippe in 2012 at a painting workshop in Paris.
Meeting up with Yukio Honma after almost 9 years. If his name does ring a bell then it is most likely you that have bought some of his sculpts from Alpine Miniatures.
Breakfast at the Ashigara rest stop in the way back to Tokyo.
Avocado croquette with a mozzarella cheese filling for the road. The taste was incredible!
Continue reading...
Train ride from Narita to Nippori station
Sightseeing around Odaiba - on board the Japanese research ship the Sōya.
Joining up Young-Bok at Akihabara.
Dinner at an izakaya in Akihabara with Kauzo Kiuchi of Miniature Park.
On the road to Shizuoka.
A visit to Mikasa Park in
Yokosuka en-route to Shizuoka.
Japanese Navy curry in Yokosuka
Meeting up with some members of Team Asean on our first night in Shizuoka.
Exploring Shizuoka on kick scooter
Outdoor exhibits at the exhibition venue, Twin Messe exhibition center.
Overview of the exhibition hall for industry exhibitors.
Activity at the Tamiya booth
Team ASEAN setting up at the exhibition hall for club displays.
Some excerpts from the Team ASEAN display:
Richard Fernandez from Malaysia
Choo Huang Ming from Malaysia
Some excerpts from the Team ASEAN display:
Giang Xuan Le of Vietnam
Team ASEAN member Pongsatorn Kanthaboon from Thailand arriving with his display.
Loo, Bernard and Richard either checking out football results or stock prices (me thinks).
Team ASEAN table with Richard keeping a strict watch of the exhibits.
Meeting my modelling idols - Koji Itoh ...
...and Tetsuo Horikawa.
Prolific and award winning Korean figure modeller Yoon Ki-Yeol. I have been following his work online for many years and it was a wonderful experience to see his masterful work up close and live.
Together with members of Ki-Yeol's modelling club - a really passionate and talented band of modellers.
Renown award winning Korean figure painter Kim Man-Jin and veteran Taiwanese diorama modeller Max Wang.
WW1 diorama by Chang Chung-Fu of Taiwan. Old school style painting with oils and extensive use of the dry brushing technique.
A group picture at the Taiwanese model club CAMO.
Candid moment between Young, Norio Takemura, Takuji Yamada and Bernard
Armor diorama modeller Takashima Hiroshi presenting his latest works at his club stand.
Armor modeller and wooden base maker Hiroyuki Takeuchi.
Sherman Crab flail by Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Hiroyuki Takeyuki, Shigehiro Yoshida and Masanori Sato (Toku)
1/48 scale British Ford V8 staff car by Masanori Sato (Toku)
A simple but effective diorama by Shigehiro Yoshida.
A small selection of fine armor modelling by Hideyuki Aoki.
Stug IV diorama with Alpine figures that caught my eye at the Crossroads club stand. I have no idea who the creator is but it is a fine example of simple things done well.
Takunari Goshima of Kiya Hobby
Possibly the highlight of the show for me; receiving an exclusive autograph copy of master diorama modeller Kazuya Yoshioka's second book on modelling dioramas - a very rare honor and privilege indeed!
Some shots of Kazuya Yoshioka's mesmerizing work. I had a great time viewing this master piece; making this well worth the trip to Shizuoka.
Group portrait of Team ASEAN on Saturday evening- unfortunately Pongsatorn and Loo were not in the picture when this picture was taken.
Saturday evening reception hosted by Tamiya for all exhibiting club members
A very young and talented armor modeller, Kim
Byeong-Soo from Korea.
Byeong Soo's outstanding work; enough said....
I love this moment. An ecstatic Byeong-Soo getting an autograph from Fernando Vallejo of AK Interactive; his expression says it all.
Björn Kågner, Young and Richard horsing around!
Sunday morning at the Tamiya HQ with a large turnout of live exhibits.
Outside the Tamiya HQ with my modelling buddies.
Presentation of a token of friendship to Kazuya Yoshioka.
On Monday it was off to the recording studio to capture the voice narration for the Model ART DVD.
Friends from Team ASEAN showing up to extend their support and encouragement later in the evening 
A short write-up by Model Art on my trip to Tokyo to record the DVD program.
That concludes my road trip to the Shizuoka Hobby Show - can't wait to attend the next big event in Penang this weekend!
Cheers,
Calvin
Continue reading...
