For only $9.95 each, these dioramas take me back to 3rd grade. Granted, mine usually consisted of old G.I.Joes whos mid-section rubber band had broken and then found their way under my brothers wood burning kit… a little read paint, some dirt (which we were NEVER short of in The Antelope Valley), twigs, grass and a bit of hot glue gun. BHAM! instant battlefield! Needless to say, i was a sheltered, bored little child. there’s nothing to do in the desert when it’s 117º outside and the wind is blowing dust devils into your mouth! Ohh how that brings me back to the middle school playground where half of our lunch would be chewing through the rocks that just blew into our faces… mother earth’s all natural pop-rocks; now with no trans fat! I’ll have seconds!

It was either this or stealing my mom’s cookie tins and pitting the black and red ant tribes against each other in a battle of epic proportions. ohh, how they did hate one antoher. And i’m convinced the black ants were either the gatherers or just plain wussies, because the red ants won every time. Even when we stacked the odds with a 1:4 ratio the red team was triumphant. Now, don’t flame me for ant cruelty, this was years ago, i was a little kid. Thanks again boredom!

Incredibly affordable, these diorama kits will most likely give enjoyment long after assembly.

‘Tatebanko is the forgotten Japanese art of creating amazing dioramas and scenic perspectives from paper. Tatebanko was popular and widely admired from the 17th century (Edo period) to the early 20th century. Then it all but disappeared. “It’s a Beautiful Day” has now revived and reinterpreted this simple and elegant Japanese art with two new paper craft kits. The kits feature the works from two famed Edo artists – Hiroshige’s Kambara, Evening Snow and Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Beautifully designed and printed in Japan with elegant metallic accents, the kits are nicely packaged A4 size and make a diorama that is 7 1/2” W x 3 1/2” D x 4 7/8” H. Each kit has a playful secret and interesting details that make assembly fun. With these kits, Tatebanko will undoubtedly enjoy a well-deserved renaissance.’

Hokusai (left): $9.95, Buy it here.
Hiroshige: $9.95, Buy it here.

Thanks Why Me? via Better Living Through Design.