It has not rained yet today, but the sky has been cloudy, and it looks like we may finally get a longer period of rain starting tonight. At this time of year, even on cloudy days, the temperatures are high and the humidity is high as well, which can make the weather rather uncomfortable. Still, it is probably better than the heat of summer… haha.
I came to the workshop again this afternoon and spent some time working. The limited 11-step puzzle boxes have now received their undercoat finish, so I plan to leave them stored for a while. Next week, I will focus mainly on the special order project for the Hakone market. Once the parts and sliding panels have been installed, I will wait for a day with lower humidity before making and attaching the top and bottom panels.
Of course, visitors to Hakone and the surrounding area can find many different souvenirs these days. Recently, there have also been more products inspired by Hakone Yosegi craftsmanship. You could call them collaboration products. Some feature well-known characters and brands such as Hello Kitty or Snoopy. One example is the item shown in the photo: the Tomica Japanese Tradition Collection Vol. 5, released by Takara Tomy in July 2022. It is a Daihatsu Midget featuring a Hakone Yosegi-inspired design.
Takara Tomy is one of Japan’s major toy manufacturers, and its Tomica miniature cars are popular not only in Japan but also overseas. They have a large collector following and have been the subject of many special editions and limited releases over the years. This particular model was released as the fifth entry (July 2022) in the Japanese Tradition Collection, a series that began in 2021. An interesting detail is that the Japanese Tradition Collection was sold exclusively through bookstores rather than traditional toy stores.This type of collaboration between publishers and other products is quite common in Japan. By offering exclusive items such as these, bookstores can attract customers and generate sales beyond books alone.
The vehicle featured in this model is the Daihatsu Midget, a small three-wheeled vehicle produced by Daihatsu from 1957 to 1972. With an engine displacement of around 250 to 300 cc, it was compact, practical, and very popular at the time. Its excellent maneuverability made it especially useful for work and deliveries, and it became one of the vehicles that supported Japan’s period of rapid economic growth. Today, it remains a favorite among enthusiasts and collectors. Incidentally, vehicles up to 360 cc were classified as kei cars in Japan (Today, kei cars in Japan are limited to vehicles with engines of 660 cc or less). Until 1968, there was even a special driver’s license for vehicles of 360 cc or less. This license could be obtained from the age of 16 and allowed the holder to drive these small vehicles.
Many of these vehicles were fitted with a canvas cover over the cargo bed so that shop owners could use them for deliveries. In this miniature model, that cover features a Hakone Yosegi design. Incidentally, the cover can be removed, just like a separate accessory on the model. Limited items like this can be quite difficult to find. As far as I know, this particular model is no longer available in stores. I happened to find a single one in a second-hand shop and decided to buy it. The original retail price was only 880 yen (very cheap! haha), but this one was being sold for 1,700 yen. It was in excellent condition and even included the original box. It is a charming little item, and I am very happy to have it in my collection. Many shops that sell Hakone Yosegi crafts also offer products inspired by yosegi patterns, so if you ever visit the area, it might be fun to take a look!
