I am a 78 years old Japanese model ship building enthusiast.

[Masaaki Hikosawa]

Hey Masaaki Hikosawa-san,

I am very pleased that you visited my beautiful country. And I am very happy that you like German history, including that of Götz von Berlichingen. I hope that I will finally be able to travel to Japan in 2027. I am also very interested in your beautiful Japan ...

GIG1810 san

Germany is truly a beautiful country.
I used to work as an engineer, but I have always loved history.
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Teutoburg_Forest
I am particularly fond of German history.
I have also read some of Kant’s philosophical works and have great respect for him.
The last time I visited Germany, I had the chance to see Götz’s birthplace and mausoleum, and I even stayed at his castle.
It remains a wonderful memory for me.
Schöntal was, quite literally, a beautiful valley.

 

[Tony Ap Lewis]

Glad to see another 78 year old join SoS.
View attachment 522166

Allan

For me, my eyes and fexibility of my fingers is not as good as it was years ago. But fine tweezers and concentration, and perhaps doing it the way shipwrights and sailmakers do it at full scale adds to the attraction, and some modern materials have strength at small scale...although blocks are always a challenge! I was 78 in September, still ship modelling.

 

[Masaaki Hikosawa]

For me, my eyes and fexibility of my fingers is not as good as it was years ago. But fine tweezers and concentration, and perhaps doing it the way shipwrights and sailmakers do it at full scale adds to the attraction, and some modern materials have strength at small scale...although blocks are always a challenge! I was 78 in September, still ship modelling.

Tony Ap Lewis　san

The Rope, the association I belong to, has 100 members.
Among them, 10 are over 90 years old, and the oldest is 100 and still active.
I am 78 years old as of April.

Happy modeling!

These works were produced by members of our association, each of whom is 95 years old.

49-11　20ft Black Porgy Fishing Boat of Tosa District
SEKIGUCHI Masami
https://www.theropetokyo.org/2024/04/12/第49回ザ-ロープ帆船模型展-2-5/#49-11
50-21

50-21　Bridgework Ships in Ancient Rome
FUKUDA Masahiko
https://www.theropetokyo.org/2025/03/31/第50回ザ-ロープ帆船模型展-3-5/#50-21

 

[Namabiiru]

Hikosawa-san,
My skill can’t match that of the members of The Rope, but I would honored if they would permit me to attend one of their meetings.

 

[BarrySR]

Masaaki Hikosawa, welcome to this forum.​

I would like to add a comment about the Rope ship model club.
About twenty or twenty two years ago a local ship model club sponsor a ship model exhibition on the Queen Mary in Long Beach CA. Some members from the Japanese ship model club, The Rope, brought some models to display at the show. I have to say that there craftsmanship and skill was amazing. I’ve seen many ship models throughout the years, but the quality of their model was right up there with the best I’ve ever seen. Their models were truly outstanding