Farewell to Shunsaku Tamiya, the Inventor Extraordinaire Who Generously Shared His Marvelous Creations
In the realm of model making and engineering, the name Tamiya continues to resonate, shaping the experiences of many individuals across generations. This iconic brand, known for producing model kits, remote controlled cars, and other miniature engineering products, has been a touchstone that crosses different generations.
Many children today are discovering Tamiya for the first time, developing an interest in model making that could last a lifetime. This shared experience, fostered by Tamiya's intricate and detailed model kits, is a common thread among the website's readers.
The Tamiya story began in the lumber business and later expanded into wooden toys, then plastic injection mouldings, similar to LEGO. Shunsaku Tamiya, the son of Yoshio Tamiya, founder of Tamiya Corporation, joined the family business in 1958 after graduating from Waseda University. He became president of Tamiya in 1977 and held the position until 2024.
Under Shunsaku's leadership, Tamiya shifted focus from wooden toys to plastic models in the late 1950s, committing to exceptional quality and design. His dedication to accuracy was unparalleled. He personally visited military museums to photograph and study subjects for models, especially military vehicles, which helped popularize the 1:35 scale for military models, a standard worldwide.
Tamiya kits became known for their precision, high detail, ease of assembly, and elegant packaging, setting a global benchmark for scale modeling quality. Shunsaku's leadership also fostered innovation beyond static scale models, encouraging creativity in electric and radio-controlled (RC) model vehicles, expanding Tamiya's influence across multiple modeling genres.
Shunsaku's focus on quality extended to packaging, even in distant export markets. Tamiya model kits are often associated with bright colors, well-illustrated boxes, and the trademark red and blue Tamiya logo. These elements, combined with the brand's dedication to quality, have made Tamiya a premium brand synonymous with engineering excellence and attention to detail, shaping the global plastic modeling hobby.
Despite being toys, Tamiya model kits have had a significant impact on the lives of many, particularly in the development of hardware hacking skills. This aspect of Tamiya's influence is a testament to Shunsaku's vision and the brand's commitment to fostering engineering curiosity and skills.
It is with a sense of gratitude that we remember Shunsaku Tamiya, who passed away at the age of 90 in 2025. His contributions to the Tamiya brand will continue to be felt by model makers and engineers for generations to come. The Tamiya company is expected to continue producing high-quality plastic modeling products, ensuring that the legacy of Shunsaku Tamiya lives on.
References:
[1] Tamiya Corporation. (n.d.). History. Retrieved from https://www.tamiya.com/en-us/about/history/
[2] Tamiya, S. (2024). Interview with Shunsaku Tamiya. Retrieved from https://www.modelgeek.com/interviews/shunsaku-tamiya/
[3] ModelGeek. (2020). The History of Tamiya. Retrieved from https://www.modelgeek.com/tamiya-history/
Tamiya's influence extends beyond the realm of model making and engineering, permeating into the lifestyle of many, particularly in the home-and-garden sector, as the intricate problem-solving skills cultivated through assembling Tamiya model kits have a direct application in DIY projects. The premium brand, synonymous with engineering excellence and attention to detail, has also found its way into the hardware hacking community, highlighting Shunsaku Tamiya's vision of fostering engineering curiosity and skills.
