The History of Tamiya's Founding Period | The Origin and Challenges as a Wooden Model Manufacturer (1946-1960s)

In 1946, a small woodworking shop that emerged in Shizuoka Prefecture during the post-war chaos began a story that would eventually grow into a global model manufacturer. Tamiya's founding period was a tumultuous time that started with traditional wooden model techniques and transitioned to new materials like plastic, laying the foundation for the present. This article explains the history of Tamiya's founding period from 1946 to the 1960s, focusing on the vision and challenges of its founder, Yoshio Tamiya.

Tamiya's Founding | Establishment of Tamiya Trading Co. in 1946

In 1946, the year following the end of World War II, Tamiya's predecessor, "Tamiya Trading Co.," was established in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Founder Yoshio Tamiya started the business based on woodworking during a difficult time of post-war reconstruction. Initially, the company manufactured daily necessities and miscellaneous goods, but Yoshio Tamiya had a passion for "precision manufacturing" and a clear vision to eventually enter the model business. This ambition at the time of establishment became the cornerstone that supported Tamiya's later development.

Founder Yoshio Tamiya's Character and Vision

Founder Yoshio Tamiya was a craftsman-like entrepreneur with a deep passion for manufacturing. He had a strong commitment to creating "better and more precise products" and maintained a focus on quality even during the chaotic post-war period. Yoshio Tamiya's vision was clear: he dreamed of creating precise and beautiful models that could showcase Japan's technological prowess to the world. This dream paved the way for the transition from woodworking to the model industry and the growth into a world-class plastic model manufacturer.

Business Started in Shizuoka Prefecture's Woodworking Industry

Shizuoka Prefecture has been a hub of woodworking industry since the Edo period, with a wealth of skilled craftsmen and wood processing techniques. Yoshio Tamiya leveraged the strengths of this region and started in the wood processing industry. In the early days, Tamiya Trading Co. manufactured wooden daily necessities and toys, but the precise woodworking techniques developed during this process became the foundation for later wooden model manufacturing. The combination of Shizuoka's traditions and Yoshio Tamiya's foresight gave birth to Tamiya's uniqueness.

Progress as a Wooden Model Manufacturer | Development in the 1950s

As the 1950s began, Tamiya started to develop its business as a full-fledged wooden model manufacturer. As the Japanese economy moved beyond the reconstruction phase and people's lives became more comfortable, the model market gradually began to form. In particular, wooden sailing ship models became synonymous with Tamiya's products. With precise designs and careful processing techniques, they gained high praise among enthusiasts. Tamiya in the 1950s established its position as a pioneer in the new genre of "precision models."

Manufacturing and Evaluation of Wooden Sailing Ship Models

Tamiya's wooden sailing ship models received overwhelming support among model enthusiasts in the 1950s. Accurately reproducing the complex structure of sailing ships required advanced techniques. Tamiya thoroughly studied actual blueprints and pursued accuracy as scale models. From wood selection to processing, every step was meticulously crafted. These products were not just toys but were evaluated as authentic models that could be enjoyed as an adult hobby.

Precision Woodworking Techniques and Craftsmen's Commitment

The support for Tamiya's wooden models came from the advanced woodworking techniques of skilled craftsmen. Since each piece of wood has different properties, mechanical mass production was not suitable. Tamiya's craftsmen performed precise processing by discerning the direction of the wood grain and hardness. They were also thorough in quality control, not overlooking even the slightest distortion or scratch. This spirit of "uncompromising manufacturing" was carried over into the era of plastic models.

Shizuoka's Woodworking Industry and Tamiya's Technical Foundation

Shizuoka Prefecture has long been a thriving region for the woodworking industry. During the Edo period, the production of furniture and lacquerware flourished, and after the Meiji period, the instrument manufacturing industry also thrived. Tamiya maximized the technical accumulation of this region. By building cooperative relationships with local skilled craftsmen, they applied their techniques to model manufacturing. The location of Shizuoka was a source of technical superiority for Tamiya.

The Dawn of Model Culture in Post-War Japan

In the 1950s, Japan was gradually recovering from the post-war chaos, and people's lives were beginning to regain some comfort. During this time, model culture began to attract attention as a new form of entertainment and education. Model making was recognized for its educational value in fostering children's creativity and concentration. The 1950s, when Tamiya fully developed its wooden model business, marked the dawn of model culture in Japan, and Tamiya played an important role in this trend.

The Relationship Between Children and Models in the Post-War Reconstruction Period

For children in the post-war period, models were a special presence. In an era of material shortages, model kits became popular as they provided both "the joy of making something yourself" and "the satisfaction of a completed product." Wooden models were highly valued for their educational value, as they allowed children to learn how to use tools and understand structural mechanisms during the assembly process. Parents and educators recognized that model making nurtured children's dexterity and patience, actively promoting it.

The Launch of Model Magazines and the Beginning of the Model Boom

In the late 1950s, model specialty magazines began to be published in Japan, further accelerating model culture. Magazines like "Models and Radio" and aircraft model specialty magazines appeared, featuring how-to guides and painting techniques. Reader submission sections created a space for model fans to showcase their works to each other. The formation of such communities allowed models to evolve from individual hobbies into a social culture. The existence of model magazines was also important for Tamiya, enhancing brand recognition and contributing to market expansion.

The Transition to Plastic Models | The Decision of the 1960s

As the 1960s began, significant changes occurred in Japan's model industry. The emergence of plastic models (plastic models) was one of them. Imported plastic models from overseas were mass-produced, affordable, and could be easily assembled with glue. Faced with the rapidly dominating plastic model market, Yoshio Tamiya recognized the flow of the times and decided to transition to plastic models. This decision became the first step that led Tamiya to become a global plastic model manufacturer.

The Shock of Imported Plastic Models

From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, plastic models manufactured in America and Europe began to be imported into Japan. Plastic models from overseas manufacturers like Revell and Monogram had a significant impact on Japanese model enthusiasts. The precise details achieved through plastic molding, the perfect fit of parts, and the affordable prices offered a charm that was on a different level from traditional wooden models. Plastic models allowed for industrial mass production with consistent quality. Tamiya also felt a sense of crisis that they would be left behind in the market if they did not adapt.

Tamiya's Challenge in Early Plastic Model Production

Having decided to transition to plastic models, Tamiya faced the challenge that woodworking techniques and plastic molding techniques were entirely different. From the early 1960s, Tamiya began to work on mastering plastic molding technology. They had to learn everything from scratch, including the introduction of injection molding machines and mastering mold-making techniques. However, the commitment to "precision" cultivated during the wooden model era remained unchanged. Tamiya's craftsmen eagerly absorbed new technologies and gradually became capable of producing high-quality plastic models.

The Transition from Woodworking Techniques to Plastic Molding Techniques

The transition of technology was a difficult process that could not be accomplished merely by replacing equipment. Craftsmen skilled in woodworking had to relearn entirely new techniques in plastic molding. In injection molding, the precision of mold design affects product quality. Tamiya made significant capital investments and invited external technicians for technical guidance. The spirit of "precision" and "attention to detail" cultivated in woodworking was also applied in plastic molding.

Conclusion: The "Origin of Manufacturing" Established by Tamiya's Founding Period

From its founding in 1946 to the transition to plastic models in the 1960s, Tamiya's history was a continuous series of challenges and innovations. The vision of founder Yoshio Tamiya to "create precise and beautiful models" has consistently guided Tamiya since the wooden model era. In the 1950s, high-quality wooden models were manufactured by leveraging Shizuoka's woodworking industry and the skills of skilled craftsmen. Then, in the 1960s, they made the decision to transition to the new material of plastic by recognizing the changes of the times. The values of "commitment to quality" and "challenges in technological innovation" established during this founding period continue to be inherited by Tamiya today.

Tamiya's founding period is not just the starting point of a company; it is engraved in the company's DNA as the "origin of manufacturing." The spirit of craftsmanship from the wooden model era and the flexibility demonstrated in the transition to plastic models combined to elevate Tamiya to a world-class model manufacturer.

For those who want to know more about Tamiya's journey, please also check Tamiya's History | The Journey from Wooden Models to the World's Top Plastic Model Brand. It provides a detailed explanation of the overall picture from the founding to the present and representative products from each era.