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TOP -> 2017/5/24 Lacquered Sofubi Mazinger Z with Platinum Finish

The ultimate Japanese style

The ultimate luxurious Mazinger Z handmade by skilled craftsmen!
[Ordering term] until June 30th (Fri) 2017 23:59
We interviewed Mr. Abe who is in charge ofLacquered Sofubi Mazinger Z with Platinum Finish
――This product is beyond Sofubi with a very luxurious finish. Please tell us how you felt when you saw the final product.

I knew how nice the lacquer coating finish was through the previous "Mazinger Z Iron Castle Ver."
but I expected more and looked forward to the platinum foil finish.
When I saw the final product, I was surprised by its beautiful finish and it was beyond my expectation.
I am very happy with the magnificent finish of the platinum foil and the luster of lacquer.

――This is the second lacquer version following "Iron Castle Ver.". Please tell us why you chose lacquer coating again.
Also, why did you choose Mazinger Z?

When we produced "Iron Castle Ver.", I heard that there is a finishing technique using platinum foil so I was looking for an opportunity to make it.
I also felt that Mazinger Z best matches with the black luster of lacquer and the brightness of platinum.
I am happy I was able to make this happen and I want many people to see this product.

――Do you have any other Japanese style material you would like to use for Sofubi?

I think collaboration with Hakone's parquet work and collaboration with textile goods or woven fabric would be very interesting.
I don't think it has to be Sofubi but the combination of Japanese traditional craft items and characters are very interesting.

――If you can make Mazinger Z again, what kind of material will you make it with?

It is hard to imagine so I would like to study more about different materials and find out.
I would like to create Mazinger Z with gimmick and play value such as "Pilder" or "Rocket punch".
I think that the most important thing is to create a product which is playful.
HYPER HOBBY

Published as a separate volume color graph of "TV Land" in 1994.
Started as a magazine featuring Tokusatsu and toys.
It was discontinued in February 2015 but revived in March 2017.
VOL.2 is on sale as of May 2017.
We interviewed Mr. Itoh who is in charge ofLacquered Sofubi Mazinger Z with Platinum Finish
――Please tell us your feelings when you received an offer of this project from Tokuma Shoten.

I never thought that I would receive the second offer for the lacquered figure project.
It seems as if whole world acknowledged the lacquerware products I made and I was very happy.

――The details with glossy peculiarity of lacquer is very attractive in this product,please tell us the feature of the product.

Last time, it was the black lacquer only, so we made it finish as possible to suppress the glossiness of the lacquer in order not to be a vulgar finish.
Since it is a finish using platinum foil this time, we have change a way of painting not to lose the presence of platinum.
Even with the same black color, we adjusted the shines matching to the atmosphere of the finish.

――Last time, it was the black lacquer only, so we made it finish as possible to suppress the glossiness of the lacquer in order not to be a vulgar finish.
Since it is a finish using platinum foil this time, we have change a way of painting not to lose the presence of platinum.
Even with the same black color, we adjusted the shines matching to the atmosphere of the finish.

Basically, It is the same production method. What most important is the foundation.
If the base becomes thicker, modeling will collapse and becomes bad looking.
I am working with a sense of tension that I cannot make a mistake from the base to the top coat.
In the platinum finish, it is finished by pushing platinum foil on firmly dried lacquer.

――I think that most people have no opportunity to touch lacquer other than dishes,
but please tell us if there is a maintenance method to keep it beautiful.

I would recommend to wear gloves when you touch them.
Especially if you touch the part of platinum foil, it will get finger oil and fingerprint will not be removed.
Because lacquer will be degraded by ultraviolet, please keep display in a place not exposed to direct sunlight.

――How do you want customers to enjoy that lacquer is used for Sofubi?
Also as a lacquer craftsman, please let us know on what thing you would like to apply lacquer coating.

The opportunity to see lacquer is really decreasing lately.
Lacquer has a long relationship with Japanese as it is sometimes excavated from the ruins of Japan from 9000 years ago, so it would be great if you could recognize
the beauty of lacquer once again.
What I want to paint in the future is something mismatched with lacquer.
Especially since I've been doing music, I want to challenge to paint lacquer on leather jacket or rock n roll thing such as a guitar.
I would like to make products in the third field of lacquerware products that only have art objects and daily necessities.
Hiroyuki Itoh（lacquer painter）

Born in Okazaki City in June 1978.
Started practicing lacquered painting after graduating from high school.
Upon completion of practice, he joined the "Ito Butsudan Tokoujo" which his father owns and reaches the present.
He also performed musical activities while practicing lacquered painting.
He participated as a lacquer craftsman for the art group "Artman Japan" made by a local altar craftworker
when he could not decide to be a craftsman or a musician.
He became a lacquer painter after art activities.
He experience overseas solo exhibitions in New York and Germany as a member of "Artman Japan"
and increases his aesthetic sense of beauty in lacquer.
He is an evolutionary lacquer painter who developed the technique of using spraying guns to paint lacquer
and produces unique lacquer figures.