PlaymoFriends
Creative => Photography & Graphics => Topic started by: Timotheos on April 03, 2008, 18:58:26
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Here are some great shots of Japanese drawings to not only provide inspiration for future customizers...
But to help dispel the fetish for ninjas pulling rickshaws... :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
1) Lion dancer
2) mobster ("yakuza")
3) demon
4) hero
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1-3) heroes
4) sea ghost
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1) snow maiden ("yuki onna") [EDIT: Scratch that, I think it's just a woman in white]
2) maiden
3) maiden
4) hero
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1) an oiwa, ghost that steals babies
2) a yurei, type of ghost in "the ring"
3) Okiku (a ghost from a legend, see below)
Copied from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bancho_Sarayashiki
Okiku's story:
In the kabuki play Bancho Sarayashiki, Okiku is a maid at the mansion of the Japanese samurai Tessan Aoyama. The samurai wants to seduce the cute girl but she rejects his advances. Aoyama uses a trick. He hides one of ten valuable Dutch plates and threatens Okiku to make public that she had stolen the plate unless she agrees to become his mistress. In her desperation Okiku throws herself into the well and drowns.
Okiku's ghost comes out every night, counting from one to nine and then breaks out into a terrible howling and sobbing. Finally Aoyama goes insane by the daily apparitions at night.
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GREAT !!!!
thx for this very nice inspiration !!
:wow:
world greets
Andi
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yorimitsu
Raiko, or Yorimitsu Minamoto, was a Kyoto-era hero who killed, among other monsters, Tsuchigumo, the earth spider.
There is also a famous Kabuki show about him.
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Here's the most famous picture of Raiko. His four henchmen are drinking and playing Go while Raiko lies sick in bed. The earth spider and his army of ogres invades. The ogres try to distract the henchmen while the spider goes for Raiko, but Raiko wakes up and chops off the spiders arm. They then chase the spider back to its den and kill it.
http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb6f59p350/
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
I am also enamored with the idea of a Playmobil Asian theme.
As you know, there are several members of GW-PC (like Specialist and Cheng) who have made some fairly good Asian customization attempts. Our own Knightmo, here at PF, has also created some very nice Asian customs. And, MacGayver has created some really beautiful Asian dioramas!
I'm sure that I've missed some. But, just those few that I've mentioned, certainly indicate that there is definitely some activity going on while the rest of us wait patiently for Playmobil to produce an Asian theme.
By the way, as you also know, Playmobil has given us three Asian Specials. They may not be historically correct, but in my humble opinion, they're also not that bad (especially as the basics for some customs).
But, please keep it up, Timmy!
The more noise that we ALL make, the better chance we have of finally seeing a Playmobil Asian Theme!
All the best,
Richard
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Hi Richard
Somebody did a fantastic medieval Chinese scene, of a canal town like Suhang. Does anyone remember who, or have a link?
Cheng's Seven Samurai and his terra cotta warriors are amazing.
But as for PM's much-anticipated Asian theme, by "Asian" we mean "Japanese" or "Chinese"? I'd think they'd have to pick one or the other, unless they just give us ninja and rickshaw soup.*
* Not an impossibility. But, since the Egyptian theme turned out pretty not bad, I'm feeling more confident PM could produce something fun and interesting.
-Tim
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
Somebody did a fantastic medieval Chinese scene, of a canal town like Suhang. Does anyone remember who, or have a link?
Is this the place ?
(http://www.macgayverplaymobil.be/Filmkes/fotos%202005.10.02/PA160024.jpg)
If so, that's Michael MacGayver's fantastic WEBSITE ! (http://www.macgayverplaymobil.be/)
All the best,
Richard
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i never thought of this possibility but a japanese feudal era them would be simply GREAT.
i very much liked the raiko pictures, thank you tim.
i very much like japan, maybe because the first europeans to reach it were portuguese (we also introduced the first fire arms).
one day i would love to go there.
i will leave you with a "namban" art image, a mix of japanese art with portuguese themes, depicting a japanese guy and a portuguese one (they called us and painted us as the "long-noses")
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Thanks for adding the pic, Cacalote!
You should go to Japan. It is very tourist friendly. Especially considering you know English.
Once you get to Tokyo, you can go to Nikko National Park by train. Or catch a bus to Mt Fuji. All self-guided tours.
Or go to Kyoto, hike in the foothills that surround the city, then catch a train to Osaka, and Himeji, where Himeji palace is.
(I miss Japan!)
-Tim
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thank you for the advice tim. :wow:
i am slowly preparing a future visit. :yup:
i am even sudying shinto(ist) architecture together with some of my students (i am also an architecture teacher in my non-playmo life) to be better prepared.
meanwhile i am "offering" you this namban picture of a portuguese man-of-war seen through 16th century japanese eyes.
it looks so much like a playmobil pirate ship, don't you think? :o
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Hi Cachalote
That's a very nice picture! It looks like a PM ship.
I visited Nara in 2001 and saw many of the old Shinto shrines. I'm not expert, but remember Shinto shrines being distinctly Japanese looking, whereas the style of Buddhist temples are very similar to those in China (source for their inspiration).
Incidentally:
I don't think anybody is reading this post, but here's what I think would be great for a Japanese theme.
Era: Kyoto around the time of the Heike civil war
Sets:
Idea 1:
1) Yamabushi / Sohei (warrior monks) with a portable shrine (they exploited these shrines as safe conduct into Kyoto, after which they'd extort the emperor for money before leaving). Sohei are usually depicted carrying halberds (naganata), bows, and wearing robes.
2) Minamoto (Genji) and Taira (Heike) samurai factions. These were mounted Samurai who carried bows and swords. PM could even give them faction colors.
3) The Emperor
4) A few oni (ogre / goblins) if PM wanted to be creative.
The narrative could be: samurai vs. warrior monks
Idea 2: Instead of Heike era, the Fujiwara era with:
1) Mounted daimyo with retainers
2) wandering ronin
3) Mongol invaders (the Mongols beached a few ships on Japanese soil but didn't get far before the rest of the fleet was wiped out by Kamikaze winds).
Narrative: Samurai vs. mongols
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NOTE: Ninjas and rickshaws need not apply.
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
Incidentally:
I don't think anybody is reading this post, but here's what I think would be great for a Japanese theme.
There are indeed a few of us who are reading this thread ... ;)
However, the few of us who are reading this thread would probably never believe that Playmobil would ever make the Japanese theme that you have suggested, probably no more than they would actually believe that Playmobil would ever make Fort Zinderneuf and Beau Geste ... :lol:
This is regardless of the fact that some of us would really like some day to see both themes produced by Playmobil ... ;D
All the best,
Richard
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
There are indeed a few of us who are reading this thread ... ;)
However, the few of us who are reading this thread would probably never believe that Playmobil would ever make the Japanese theme that you have suggested, probably no more than they would actually believe that Playmobil would ever make Fort Zinderneuf and Beau Geste ... :lol:
This is regardless of the fact that some of us would really like some day to see both themes produced by Playmobil ... ;D
All the best,
Richard
I'm turning into one of those dreamers I often lambast.
I just can't bear the thought of the inevitable "Samurai vs. Ninjas" PM will likely produce. It's just so cliched and brain dead.
But, maybe PM will surprise me. The quality of the Egyptian theme took me by surprise. Or maybe I'm just pleased because the "tomb robbers" so easily double as non-military citizenry.
Maybe I should migrate to Garden Wargaming, Richard... I check it out every so often. It doesn't update so frequently, but it seems the history buffs congregate there.
And, bless Cheng's immortal soul--he has never customized, bothered with, or endured a ninja!*
* If one slipped through the cracks, he clearly has moved forward since that!
I mean... the stream of kitsch... it's almost like a sort of mental masochism...
Round 1:
Ninjas pulling rickshas... Ninjas with Fu Manchu beards... Ninjas laying down railroad tracks and working in a laundry...
Round 2:
Ninjas and their Geisha wives.
IF NINJAS ARE SO JAPANESE, WHY DO NONE OF AKIRA KUROSAWA'S FILMS FEATURE EVEN ONE?
Well, I think Kagemusha might have had one ninja. He was a doomed little fellow who crept into a castle, was caught, and cut down like a dog.
-Tim
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
Since you have "opened the door" on Japanese film-makers I would like to add Hayao Miyazaki!
Hayao Miyazaki created one of my favourite films of all time ... Porco Rosso (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104652/)!
(And, I love the Disney version with Michael Keaton and Brad Garrett.)
Jimbo introduced me to this film by creating a wonderful Playmobil version of Porco Rosso ... HERE (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=659.msg9555#msg9555)
Even though this film is set in pre World War II Italy ... it is, in my humble opinion, as Japanese as any heroic Samurai film!
All the best,
Richard
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
Since you have "opened the door" on Japanese film-makers I would like to add Hayao Miyazaki!
Hayao Miyazaki created one of my favourite films of all time ... Porco Rosso (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104652/)!
(And, I love the Disney version with Michael Keaton and Brad Garrett.)
Jimbo introduced me to this film by creating a wonderful Playmobil version of Porco Rosso ... HERE (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=659.msg9555#msg9555)
Even though this film is set in pre World War II Italy ... it is, in my humble opinion, as Japanese as any heroic Samurai film!
All the best,
Richard
Hi Richard,
I haven't seen Porco Rossi, but liked Miyazaki's "Spirited Away". You have to see the subtitled version though. The voice-overs change the tone and do a lot more explaining than the original Japanese.
Worse, the Americans all talk contrived-like, as if they're on a first date--in Billy Bob Thornton's chatty fashion (he did a voice in Mononoke-Hime (Princess Mononoke) and it drove me up a wall) or like Hal Berry shooting for another Oscar by acting so gushy sweet (I can't believe Berry is actually older than me!).
The Japanese tend to be fiercer. Less packaged.
-Tim
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
I haven't seen Porco Rosso, but liked Miyazaki's "Spirited Away".
As you know, "Spirited Away" is a Miyazaki masterpiece which won him an Academy Award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away) for Best Animated Feature!
You have to see the subtitled version though. The voice-overs change the tone and do a lot more explaining than the original Japanese.
I have not seen the subtitled version ... but, I'll take your advice and find it!
But, please take my advice and watch the Michael Keaton, Brad Garrett dubbed version of Disney's Porco Rosso! And, don't be surprised if you, like all the rest of us guys who have seen it, fall in love with Gina ... ;)
This Porco Rosso flm just cries for Playmobil customs of everything!
I would love to see Sylvia create a Playmobil rendition of Gina! (If you see the film, you'll know what I mean.)
All the best,
Richard
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I'll catch Porco Rossi. There's a Miyazaki fan at my job who also cites that movie.
Another must see:
Kwaidan by Masaki Kobayashi.
It is a vignette of Japanese ghost stories, filmed in color.
His version of the Yuki-onna (snow lady) is probably the best around.
And no ninjas! No rickshaws! Miyazaki avoids them too.
Hmmm. I'm noticing a trend...
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Hello, Timmy ... :wave:
I'll catch Porco Rossi.
BTW ... It's "Rosso" (he's Italian)... most of the folks named "Rossi" come from Sicily!
And no ninjas! No rickshaws! Miyazaki avoids them too.
If my memory serves me correctly, most of the "Asian things" that you seem to find so objectionable, originated with the British colonization of Hong Kong! And, the subsequent European interpretation of Asia through American films. It's what the public seemed to want, so Hollywood gave it to them. (Along with cowboys and Indians, Tarzan, Amos and Andy, gangsters, the Mounties, the French Foreign Legion, Custer and all of the other stereotypes that many of us grew up with.)
I actually loved all those old movies and still watch them today! It makes life very simple to organize things in a "predictable stereotypical" model. Fortunately (or some might think unfortunately), in reality ... life is usually fairly unpredictable.
All the best,
Richard
Edit: Added the missing "r" to "Fench" ... didn't want offend any Francophiles ... :lol:
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I actually loved all those old movies and still watch them today! It makes life very simple to organize things in a "predictable stereotypical" model. Fortunately (or some might think unfortunately), in reality life is usually fairly unpredictable.
Hi Richard!
Actually, my beef is less against "Asian stereotyping" than against our limited exposure to the full range of Japanese / Chinese pop culture.
Example: American wants a lot of ninjas and a few samurais with big swords.
But if you read the Japanese comics (like Lone Wolf and Cub--admittedly ninja heavy, but the ninjas don't even dress like American ninjas) there's a lot more cooler stuff.
PM seems to do a little research into their themes, anyway, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it.
-Tim
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Hello, Timmy ...
PM seems to do a little research into their themes, anyway, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it.
If we can think about Playmobil as only a "suggestion," then it seems to make it all a bit easier to understand.
The little smiling Klicky is only a suggestion of a person. It has no nose or ears. The body is completely out of proportion. Etc. But, we all appear to love it anyway.
The Klicky's many costumes are also only suggestions. And the combination of suggestions seem to take on almost an iconic role.
If we look at the attached illustration as a group of easily recognized "icons," then it becomes easier to understand why Playmobil is successful in quickly capturing the imagination of most adults and children.
Almost any marketing guru will tell you that you only have a brief moment to grab the attention of a potential buyer. So, Playmobil creates toys that are easily recognizable icons.
Looking at the first two Klickys in the attached illustration we see a cowboy and an Indian. Most of us probably know that ALL cowboys and amerindians did not look like that. Yet, they are easily recognizable icons.
The next two Klickys are easily recognized as a Viking and a Pirate. Again, most of us here at Playmofriends probably know that Vikings and Pirates in reality looked a bit different. However, they are easily recognized icons.
The last two Klickys in the attached illustration are easily recognized as Chinese and Japanese. Need I say more? ... ;)
All the best,
Richard
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There are a lot of Porco Rosso clips on YouTube.com, very nice story. I especially like that period in time and the steam ships and seaplanes and clothes, etc.
Gepetto