Name of Series:

Nihon no Minwa

Manufacturer:

Kabaya, figures by Volks

Date of release (estimated):

April 2004

Price (singly in ¥):

250 ¥

Sculptor:

Enku Akihiro from Volks

No. of Pieces in the series:

8

Secret (SP)/Chase:

None

Variants:

None

Size:

Around 2.5-4 cm

Availability (in Singapore):

La Tendo

Other Remarks:

After the well reception of the "Sekai no Shinwa" series, Kabaya continues their cooperation with Volks desiging village to produce another classy set, this time focusing on some well known Japanese supernatural folks tales. One thing to note about this set is that for the first time, I actually encountered figures made of soft rubber material, instead of normal PVC or ABS.

Momotaro

One of the most popular Japanese folks tales ever I guess, click here for more understanding of this tale.

Each piece in this set comes with a background card to form a nice diorama, NOT! I find the inclusion of the background a bit lame because it is afterall 2D and the black plastic holder does not really fix nicely to the main piece itself. As mentioned the material used in this series is soft rubber and thus the peg could not go in nicely into the hole at the base which is the orge's body. I tried to fix it in by scrapping extra material but to no avail. Finally just apply some strong adhesives to fix my problem. The paintjob is still ok, but the sculpt for Momotaro and the animals need some improvements.

Tikarataro

Another classic children's folks tales but I cannot find too much information on this story.

I think this has to be the worst piece of the set. Beside the base which I feel the sculptor put in his little of effort in it, nothing is left to comment about.

Kasajizou

I believe you must have heard of this folktale, if not click here.

A nice feel about this piece. I like the paintjob for the stone dieties which seem pretty real-like. The old man look a bit like an "Obasan"(grandma) though.

Shitakiri Suzume

A less-well known folks tale, you can find out about it here.

One of my fave from this set showing how the kind, old man been rewarded for his kind-hearts in healing the sparrow as he was treated with great hospitality at the sparrows' inn. The old man and the sparrows are done really nicely and adds flair into this piece.

Kaguya Hime

One folk tale pretty similar to Momotaro, you can find out about it here.

The scene derives from Kaguya hime sobbing in the backyard while longing to return to her home back in the moon while her hapless parents peeked from behind. While the sculpt of the characters were left a lot to be desired, I want to comment on the base as well as backdrop which is pretty nicely done. The inclusion of the stand alone bamboo shoots is also a nice touch.

Yuki Onna

A pretty creepy supernatural folks tale, you can find out about it here.

Once agin, very lackluster job done on the characters and the hair of Yuki onna looks like Medusa if you know what I mean.

Mimi nashi Houichi

Another spine-chilling folks tale with a huge moral behind it, you can find out about it here.

Another of my personal fave in this set showing Houichi indulging in his performance , not knowing he's actually performing for an army of vengeful spirits who he had betrayed during the war. I like the entire piece as this is the only piece in which the backdrop gives more realism in relating the tale. I like the luminous spirit that hover Houichi; another nicely painted greystone base here as well.

Shuten Doji

A folk tale with sign of heroism, you can find out about it here (under Minamoto Yorimitsu).

A pretty neat piece to conclue this set with a valiant Minamoto Yorimitsu beheading the pompous Shuten Doji to the delight to everyone who ahd been living under its wrath. The piece shows the energy put in by Yorimitsu as he slayed the ogre. Even the backdrop signifies the speed he was engaing to propel his slaying process.