Hideaki Tanaka is an enthusiastic model car collector and manages the Mini Auto Club of Japan (MACJ). In a series of blog posts he will tell us more about models made in Japan, the Club and its members. Read them all here.
Hideo Shibahara, a collector of vintage mini-auto-models and a craftsman of tin toy robots. Shibahara has been collecting antique and vintage mini-auto-models for over 60 years – since he was a boy. In addition, since around 1990, he has been making handmade wooden model cars. All the works are nostalgic for Japanese people. His models just make you happy!
1958 Morinaga Milk Industry’s dry milk promotion car “Rocket Ginsei-go”, total length 60 cm Handmade model by Shibahara
1957 House Foods “House Curry” tricycle delivery car, total length 23 cm Handmade model by Shibahara
1955 “Oriental Curry” promotion car, total length 45 cm Handmade model by Shibahara
1955 “Zeriko Confectionery” promotion car, total length 35 cm. Handmade model by Shibahara
Dinky Toys No. 29c double-decker bus Saint Joe Valley, a version from before World War II
Italy’s Mercury No.12 Lancia Aurelia from 1950
Fire Engine by Taylor & Barrett, UK, a lead-based miniature car manufactured in the 1930s
Streamline Fire Engine by Taylor & Barrett (left side) and Dinky Toys No. 25h (right side)
Dinky Toys No. 30a Chrysler Airflow 1934 in the most attractive and unusual orange color
After that, since around 2000, he is the world’s number one tin robot toy craftsman in Japan known as the Shibakin Factory.
Tin Toy Robots crafted by Shibahara
This poster marketing a special exhibition of Shibahara’s work shows 30 of his Robots
And don’t forget, there is another blog post coming next week Wednesday!
I like the diecast but the Shibakin Factory work just blew me away. Now I want to own some of those!
Thank you for your compliment message. Yes, I think Mr. Shibahara’s works have the delicacy and passion unique to Japanese people.
Those skyscraper robots are great!
That’s right! I also think that the robots in those skyscrapers are wonderful works.
Such fantastic work! I’d have thought those wood models were factory produced diecast if I didn’t know. I love the tin toy robots, too!
Thank you for your compliment. Sure, you wouldn’t notice that they were wood unless you marked them as wood. And the tin toy robots are made up of individual handmade parts. I think it’s a great handmade too.
Love the Taylor & Barrett and trying to find more of them (not easy on a budget) but absolutely adore the one-offs. Can we please see more of those?
Mr. Shibahara and I would like to introduce the British vintage items “Taylor & Barrett” in the future.
Big fan of these weekly reports from a country so far away. Please keep it up as it has become part of my Wednesday routine!
This post from Japan is a nice comment for you to say “Wednesday routine!”! Many thanks! from Tokyo, Japan.
Now these are nice. Would like to see more of this collection (including those robots).
thank you! I will convey your message to Mr. Shibahara.
Really like the Milk Rocket. Does it have an interior? More photos would be awesome!
I also think his “Milk Rocket” work is wonderful. I will tell Mr. Shibahara about those images.
Enter your email address if you like to receive notifications of new posts by email.
Email Address
Subscribe
hobbyDB is a participant in Amazon, eBay, Entertainment Earth, LEGO, and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to other websites.
We also occasionally accept consideration from Brands, Service Providers, or Retailers (which is then clearly marked as Sponsored Content) all editorial opinions are our own.