Arii 1/32 Ciga Store

Something of which was rather common in Japan and UK (and probably still is) was the small tobacco shop. These held a variety of tobacco products and perhaps also the daily newspapers and a magazine or two if it was large enough. In Japan, these were barely large enough for the proprietor and his products, but could be found in a variety of places as the Japanese do like to smoke. At least that was the case in the early 1970s when I was stationed there. It may have changed with the emphasis on the health risks from tobacco, but I doubt it.

This particular kit includes not only the small tobacco shop, but also several other items that were common sights back when this kit was originally developed. One of those is a public telephone booth. Unlike many still extant (and they are a rapidly disappearing item in the US), this one is fully enclosed/ Also included is a light standard, a bicycle, a traffic light, fire hyrant, and four figures; two adults and two children. Not shown is a small and very symmetricalpine tree, though it is shown on the box top. Both the tobacco shop and the phone booth have their own plastic base that is divided into squares. To hold the entire diorama, a black base is provided for the builder to paint as he sees fit. A sheet of clear acetate is also included for the windows of the shop and phone booth.

Instructions are entirely in Japanese and encompass one side of a folded sheet of paper (adverts for the other kits in the series are on the other). There are some parts that are not used, obviously intended for another kit. Probably the most complex part of the assembly would be the bicycle as it comprises 10 parts. As it is in Japanese, I don't notice any actual color information provided in the instructions, though the box art and photos should be sufficient to complete the task. One thing I did notice is that the builder of the box top kit used a paint brush rather than an airbrush to complete it! The sheet of paper cut-outs is nicely done and should not provide any problems in use.

Not exactly something that most of us would even realize existed unless one happened to stumble across it. My local shop has several of these kits and I thought I'd pick one up and see what it was like.

Purchased for you to see what these are like. 

 April 2008