Oh that looks cool! Looking forward to more!

Btw, you didn't say what scale but Aurora Models in Japan makes a line of figures including Japanese.

Hmmm, they used to sell a really neat geisha figure but I don't see her now. Seems most of their stuff is modern clothes. Oh well, here's the site anyway, I guess it's possible you might find something of use.

https://www.aurora-model.jp/index.html

My approach to this was to take a photo of the flower for the wife, but ended up inspiriting me to create something more. This is not the first time I've been asked to create something Asian inspired.

Having limited items, I create this image:

I call is Chopsticks optional cause I didn't have chopsticks and used bamboo instead.

As for the Asian style diorama, I'm wanting to create something like the painting artwork like this..

Not my art, but the general idea of how the landscape and trees should look.. I've actually create gem trees out of wire, so those spools of wire I have might come in handy now. Not sure I'll add figures, we'll have to see.

I like your "Chopsticks Optional" photo. Nice symmetry, odd numbers are always best in still lifes (just like in decorating), and good use of natural light (if it isn't, it looks like it).

Can't help with the Dio, but you asked for Asian decorating tips, don't forget a little bamboo plant. Be forewarned, they are very finicky.

Thanks Gamera & Greg

I guess many here will start to realize, I can never finish something I start because my jitters or my hands can't remain steady enough. Thus I'll have to return to these projects later. Also, I do these small things in the hopes someone will become inspired to view things differently and incorp many if the ideas I've submitted.

Two areas where it doesn't matter if my hands shake and in fact helps accentuate my art, is my art and photography page. So for you Greg seeing how you enjoyed the chopsticks image. Here my photography and artwork site:

The Art of Photography

Purhapes there's something at that site to ispried others also.

Tamiya & Hasegewa both have samarai in 1/35, but not much in "ordinary" folk.

There may be pewter or resin figures of "civilians" to populate such a diorama.

For making the trees, those just beg for the "twisted wire" method.

You start with a bundle of middling stiff wire (bendable but will hold shape after bending).  You give that bundle a twist to hold it together up to the first branching, then you peel "out" a wire or wires to create branches from the trunk.

Luke Cowen, among others has some good videos on the technique. 

Now, you might have to scour international sites to find white flowers to make the blossoms for the trees if you are keep to capture that classic Japanese painting style set in Spring.  You might could get away with some of the railroad products for flowers in fields; but those are going to be much smaller than cherry or magnolia blossoms.  But, if the effect makes you happy, then, its all good.

Now, I feel compelled to go see if I can find a video on Japanese Blooming Tree dioramas

Oh, I like your photography. And that painting is gonna create an excellent dio! 

Excellent!  Sorry if I missed this, but what scale or size are you working in?

Oh My!

     Now that is a real etheriel feeling scene. I got ya Man!

Yesterday, I spent most of the day experimenting with sand, small rocks, even sea salt to see if I could achieve the desired landscape elements. Nothing was successful. However, though our my experiments, I realized that the Minka shelter was also part of the destration or detracting form the images because several of the elements aren't to scale or even closes enough to the scale needed. Several have asked what scale and honestly I've not build the minka based on any scale. But it is approx 4 inchs tall without a roof if this helps anyone.. Though I was thinking of adding a second sector of the structure.

Based on my images, I've concluded that I'm going to create a 3 dimensional "shadow art" Japanese landscape and I'm going to attempt to do this with silhouette paper outlines or cut outs using different elements within the screen placed at various distance from the main focal point. I'm in the process of having these elements printed. I'll update this when I have something to share.

Always my luck, I get started thinking my projects will go off in one direction, but ends up going in a differant direction. But it's good to see others may have been inspried to look into these types of projects.

That sounds really neat, I'm excited to see what you're going to come up with. 

Just announced:

Group Build: "Bonsai Builders Group 2020"

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/184901.aspx

Welp. fedex finally dropped of my 1 to 1 scale project. So I'll not be able to continue any smaller projects till I get the 1/1 scale project completed.

Image, what you're looking at is 1 of 4 boxes contacting all the parts needed to put this soft top together. So next time, if one things larger scale models don't have blueprints or directions.. Have never put together a soft top like this before.. Don't worry I'll return soon. TC

With the rain this morning I turn my attention form the 1/1 scale project to something a bit smaller. I've been drawing several small elements which I'm going to use in the Asian inspired landscape.

One element I can show you this morning.. Mt Fuji

Purely experimental at this point as I'm testing the filter settings during black & white photography.

So here's what I'm guessing, you're saying to yourself; this guy must have lost it.. But let me help you visualize what I'm attempting to do. Using my camera & a fixed 50mm lens, shadows and differant size cut outs then carefully place these elements within the frame, I'll set the aperture then focus on a single subject. Doing this the elements in the surrounds or out of focus will blur creating a bokeh and adding to a 3 dimensional effect. 

Oh that looks cool!!! 

And good luck with your car top project. I've never tried anything like that either and am curious how you're going about it. 

Its been a while since I've been here. Life calls. After installing the jeep soft top, the wife and I reached a decision.. New bumpers for the jeep. After selecting 4 different brands, I was very surprised that the wife selected one I've been interesting in and I didn't even have to convince here. She sees quatlity and made in USA marks. So if you thought the soft top directions was hard.. The front and rear bumpers are like puzzles what all types of parts and recovery zones and additions. This is going to be a 1/1 scale challenge I've never endured. Sadly, once this has been accomplished.. I may never return to modeling as we're stocking the jeep and trailer for our retirement. So there wouldn't be anywhere for me to build or store models. I bid you fair well fellows happy modeling.