Japanese lighthouses

**Thomas Meek** · #1 05-26-2010, 09:02 AM

Looking for a model of the Bastille on the excellent French papermodel site :

• Page d?index

I found this treasure, which seems to be a compendium of models of Japanese lighthouses:

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The models are easy to medium in complexity, and are fun to build. Despite the instructions being written in Japanese, they are clearly illustrated and I had no difficulty following. I have built a couple of these and may post some photos.

They are all black and white, but as Japanese lighthouses seem to all be colored black and white they actually look pretty realistic!

**Thomas Meek** · #2 05-26-2010, 09:20 AM

A couple of quick photos:

There is room for added detailing if you wish, for instance the opening up of the lantern windows on the second model, which greatly improves the look of it. Also, that one would have looked much better with clear or open railings (or no railings at all) but by the time I realized this, I would have had to carve away the solid paper railings at great risk of wrecking the whole thing...

**Maltedfalcon** · #3 05-26-2010, 10:51 AM

very cool!
same functionality as a western lighthouse, but they have that unique Japanese flair.
BTW did you every find a bastille?

**Thomas Meek** · #4 05-26-2010, 11:13 AM

Maltedfalcon; No No Bastille yet. I am surprised that no French models seem to be around. I know they hated the thing back then...

**Paperwarrior** · #5 05-26-2010, 07:21 PM

Thomas, You were correct in your comment, "this treasure". Those are fine looking kits and they make great compliment to Paper Shipwright and Fiddler's Green Light House kits.

Thank you for sharing this with us!

Jeff

bagpiper · #6 05-26-2010, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the links Thomas. Seems to be quiet a few threads on lighthouses past couple of days :D :D

Splendid and thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Jim

**Don Boose** · #7 05-27-2010, 05:22 AM

An excellent discovery, Thomas. And kudos for your diligence in immediately building the kits and showing the completed model to us. These are very attractive buildings and models. The paper rails actually look quite good as they are, although I take your point about the possibilities for further detail.

It occurs to me that I know absolutely nothing of Japanese ligthhouses, never saw one when I was in Japan, and never thought of looking. It there were worlds enough and time, it would be fun to go back and go looking for Japanese lighthouses . . . but, then, I have barely scratched the surface of the Jersey coast lighthouses.

Sorry for rambling and many thanks for this insight into a byway of paper modeling and lighthouses.

Don

**mckinnell** · #8 05-27-2010, 05:56 AM

Wondering????........How easy it would be to Vac-Form the tops and put in place a Strobing or flashing, rotating light unit??????, LED size and type

...........

Regards,

Tom.........

**Phil** · #9 05-27-2010, 07:35 AM

Awesome find! I would like to add THIS page to the thread, I'm sure many of you have seen it but many have not. How to get to this page is obscure...unless you read Japanese. You will see a map, on the map there are blue dots, each blue dot is a link to a lighthouse model for that location.

**Yu Gyokubun** · #10 05-27-2010, 08:34 AM

Thanks for sharing interesting sites.
I hope following links could be of any help to you.
Here is a link to pictures of Japanese top 50 lighthouses won a popularity contest held by Japan Coast Guard. http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E7%81%AF%E5%8F%B050%E9 %81%B8

Here is an introduction of first western style Japanese lighthouses built in 1869 – a few years after Japan opens the door to the world. http://educationinjapan.wordpress.com/fielding-field-trips/visit-to-the-kannonzaki-lighthouse-and-coast/
It was designed by French engineer François Léonce Verny