Which Japanese modeller inspires you most?

[Beaver]

For me it would have to be Kobayashi Nobuo. Master of freelance scratchbuilding. I highly recommend the book 'Kobayashi Nobuo no Mokei Sekai', a compendium of his many years of articles for the Tetsudo Mokei Shinbun.

 

There is so much overlap with my own approach to the hobby that the book and other published works of his were the ideal guide to how to do it better. It helps a lot that he can draw and describe as effectively and atmospherically as he models.

 

I suspect that the box art on Tomytec's freelance models is produced by Kobayashi, but cannot be certain since there is no signature on the box art. The style however seems unmistakable.

 

So, which Japanese modeller, be that writer of magazine articles, YouTuber, social media poster, book author or show exhibitor, most makes you think; 'This is the best' or 'Now I know how to do it' or 'I must do something like this'?

[gibet_b]

Interesting topic, @Beaver. Since I'm new to japanese model trains, I don't know a lot of japanese modelers, but I watch Susukuma's videos time to time : https://www.youtube.com/@Susukuma

[MrLinderman]

Great idea for a topic, I'm also new so haven't dived too deep (yet).. but I'm taking allot of inspiration from the following youtube content creators:

https://www.youtube.com/@CityscapeStudio

https://www.youtube.com/@kscafe7

https://www.youtube.com/@KasimWithTrain

 

 

[UnfinishedKit]

I’m not a big content watcher, I do modeling to escape from screens so I’m generally looking for a demo of something I don’t know how to do or some pointers for something.
 

That said, definitely a fan of Susukuma, I found him because I was looking for tips on how to build greenmax economy kits. I think however I really don’t like building plastic. He’s also really good with the airbrush and I’ll be looking into I him if I ever get one. 
 

Btoretsuku does someh what silly things with shorties but with great skill to match the sense of humour. 
 

Not  sure if it counts as content because it’s also a shop but Cab-Inc is phenomenal. The things they can do with paper… sticking 鉄道模型ペーパー自作　into YouTube always comes up with something good. 
 

in blogs I like Hinode Mae Inspection, he’s a regauger and a problem solver. 
 

 

[UnfinishedKit]

New entrant JHatake, he is my kind of nerd, very methodical, very comprehensive info. I found him because I was looking for wheel dimensions and he has a good database but he also has very well demonstrated explanations on how to regauge stuff, machine wheels, 3D print bogies, scratch build bogies, do maintenance and improvements to vehicles and seems to have tested a whole bunch of motors. 
 

He also won the slow speed contest (non-steam category)at the JAMS convention last year. 

[bill937ca]

For scenery yukikazeful https://www.youtube.com/@yukikazeful provides a lot of inspiration or challenge. He has a dedicated video just for the layout dust cover.