Structure Model Series
In the list below, item numbers are not listed because they are confusing. Items are arranged in order of development. Release year written next to item name indicates the date of initial release.
It is noteworthy that most kits are still manufactured today. Since it has been sold for a long time, there are many types of box designs.
Although these kits are very old, the fit between the parts is accurate and easy to assemble.
Most kits had two types: a color model and a gold model. The parts of color model are molded in colors similar to the real ones, and the parts of gold model are gold-plated. Therefore, painting is not necessary. In addition, there was a set with a transparent case, which was called color deluxe and gold deluxe. However, the gold model is not produced today except Kinkaku.
Though the significance of the gold model may be difficult for foreigners to understand, Finishing the ornaments in gold is a traditional Japanese culture.
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1/150 Kinkaku (Golden pavilion) 1964
Initial release
Latest edition 2004.
Only the plated model was released. There was no color model.
The photo shows completed kit.
Size is only 12 x 8cm. A beautifully, fine molded kit. Moreover, it has high accuracy so assembly is quite easy.
It is no doubt that this is one of the most sophisticated kit at the dawn of Japanese plastic models.
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1/150 Ginkaku (Silver pavilion) 1964
This box is probably second edition. This is the only case where a tuck end box have been used in this series.
Why can we know that it is not the initial release? That's because a kit born in 1968 is on the back of the box.
Exceptionally, In this kit, the color model and plated model are not present at the same time. The early version was silver-plated, but later changed to a authentic color.
Completed photo of authentic color version. You need to paint the white areas yourself. Reproduced from Fujimi catalog 1978.
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1/150 Five-storied pagoda of Horyuji temple 1965
A color model, probably initial release.
Open the box !
Wow, it's colorful.
A gold model, probably initial release.
Resale of color model. Box art is a photo of completed kit. The color has been changed from vermilion to brown.
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1/300 Himeji castle (The other name is Shirasagi castle) 1965
In the initial release, Large and small castle towers were released separately.
Later, They were sold in one box.
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1/150 Yumedono (hall of dreams) of Horyu-ji Temple 1966
Box of a gold model.
Completed photo of color model. Rreproduced from Fujimi catalog 1978.
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1/80 Yomeimon (Gate of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine) 1966
The flagship of the structure model series which developed with an extraordinary cost. The surface of the kit has an enormous number of precision molding.
Completed photo. It is a composite of plated parts and color parts, and is painted finely. Rreproduced from Fujimi catalog 1978.
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1/100 Kinkaku (Golden pavilion) 1967
Assembly sample. Composite of plated and colored parts.
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1/100 Tahoto (two-storied pagoda) of Ishiyamadera Temple 1967
The photo shows box of color model.
The set with a transparent case, which was called gold deluxe.
Completed gold model.
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1/150 Kondo (main hall) of Horyu-ji Temple 1968
Box of a gold model. The checkerboard pattern on the background of the box may have been inspired by Katsura Imperial Villa.
The set with a transparent case.
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1/150 Hoo-do (phoenix hall) of Byodo-in Temple 1969
Completed color model. The Initial release was molded in vermilion like this. Later it was changed to brown.
Completed gold model.
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1/400 Stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple 1969
Gold model assembly sample
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1/350 Seven-storied Pagoda of Todaiji temple 1969
Probably only the initial release is manufactured. Not available for purchase today.
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1/100 East Tower of Yakushiji temple 1971
Early version had three miniature bulbs built in.
The light-up function has turned on.
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1/100 Izumo Taisha grand shrine 1972
Box of a color model.
Completed photo of gold model. Rreproduced from Fujimi catalog 1978.
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1/300 Nagoya castle 1973
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1/150 Famous garden of Kyoto 1974
It is a model set of existing Kinkaku, Ginkaku and newly designed vacuum forming diorama base. Not available for purchase today.
Only the plated model was released. There was no color model.
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1/300 Inuyama Castle 1974
This kit is in the process of detail-up. These photo-etched parts are not included in the kit, but I developed them for myself.
A work by Mr. Mitsuru Shima published in the Armour Modeling October 2019 No.240. My photo-etched parts were used in this work.
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1/550 Kumamoto castle 1974
Latest edition
This kit is in the process of detail-up. These photo-etched parts are not included in the kit, but I developed them for myself.
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1/150 Sights of Nara, Horyu-ji Temple 1975
Completed photo reproduced from Fujimi catalog 1978.
It is a model set of existing five-storied pagoda, Kondo, Yumedono and newly designed vacuum forming diorama base. Not available for purchase today.
Only the color model was released. There was no gold model.
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1/400 Scenery set, Kiyomizu-dera temple of kyoto 1975
It is a model set of Kiyomizu-dera stage, temple gate, bell tower, three-storied pagoda and vacuum forming diorama base. Not available for purchase today.
The Kiyomizu-dera stage is a diversion of an existing kit, but everything else is newtool.
Only the color model was released. There was no gold model.
In 2011, These new parts were sold separately as a "Temple gate, bell tower, three-storied pagoda set".
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1/100 Shurei-mon (Gate of the shuri castle) 1975
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1/400 Kokura castle 1975
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1/100 Five-storied pagoda of Kofukuji temple 1979
This is the last product released as a "Structure Model Series of Fujimi". After this, several small castle kits were developed as "Famous Castles of Whole Country Seriese".
Worthy to have the honor of closing of the structure model series, The contents of kit were gorgeous and truly the high end of structure plastic models.
Comparison between the actual structure and the kit. You can see that the complex structure is reproduced with just a few omissions.
=== Appendix ====================================================
Sights of Tokyo Series No.1 1/200 Niju-bashi Bridge (Stone bridge of the Main Gate of Imperial Palace) 1967
If this kit was classified as a structure model series, it was no wonder. However, it was released as an another series. This is the only kit released as a sights of tokyo series. For unknown reasons, probably only the first release was manufactured.
Probably only the color model was released.
Assembly sample. This kit was well made, but unfortunately, not available for purchase today.
update 2019.12.7
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