Product Overview…

This is a large format soft cover book focusing on close-up shots of models of Imperial Japanese warships. Also features some diorama shots. It is written in a bilingual format, with Japanese and English captions.

Content Listing…

Contents:
1.) Foreword
2.) IJN Yamato 1/700 Tamiya Injection Mold
3.) IJN Musashi 1/700 Tamiya Injection Mold
4.) IJN Nagato 1/700 Aoshima Injection Mold
5.) IJN Fuso 1/700 Pit Road Resin
6.) IJN Yamashiro 1/700 Pit Road Resin
7.) IJN Ise 1/700 Hasegawa Injection Mold
8.) IJN Maya 1/700 Pit Road Injection Mold
9.) IJN Nachi 1/700 Hasegawa Injection Mold
10.) IJN Mikasa 1/700 Seals Models Injection Mold
11.) Interview


Publisher: Model Graphix
8.25in. x 11.75in.
104 pages total
80 pages full color
Written by Seitaro Ohki, Yukiyoshi Shinohara, Ryutaro Ito, Asahi Wakashima
Models by Seitaro Ohki

Inside…

After going through the first 21 pages of this book in Japanese, page 22 kicks off with a nice English history of the IJN Yamato and final build of Tamiya's recent 1/700 kit. Following the history of each subject, the following pages are dedicated to detail photos and explanations of Mr. Ohki's build procedures. The large format of this book is the perfect showcase for Mr. Ohki's talents. Crisp color pages are full of excellent close ups of detail that would make any 1/350 build an award winner. The fact that these builds are in 1/700 is all the more amazing.

What's more, Mr. Ohki not only explains his building process, but names the manufacturer when using after market items. For those who are first testing the waters of extra detail work, these explanations and manufacturer names will be a huge help.

Those expecting a step by step photo book will be disappointed as this book only shows the completed models and not works in progress. However, the book doesn't claim to be a model manual, so it shouldn't be penalized as such. Unfortunately, the interview with Mr. Ohki found at the end of the book is in Japanese only, so those who want to know more about him but can't read Japanese will be disappointed.

Summary…

When Model Graphix announced a 2004 Navy Yard Special Issue based on the models and techniques of ace modeler Seitaro Ohki, western IJN fans rejoiced. Ohki's Model Graphix articles frequently have English captions and all the builds in this book are a collection of bilingual (Japanese and English) Model Graphix articles.

While the subject matter of the book is exclusive to the Imperial Japanese Navy, ship modelers in general will find this book a wonderful resource for build ideas and inspiring work. The bargain price of only 1524 yen makes an attractive book even better. Even with SAL shipping added, the total comes to about $20 at the time of this writing.

Hobby Link Japan carries this item with the only drawback being that due to the book's age, it often appears as a back order item. But be patient- it's worth the wait!