Name of Series:

TFC Binchotan Part 1

 Manufacturer:

Yujin

 Date of release (estimated):

July 2004

Price (singly in ¥):

400¥ 

Sculptor:

Unknown

No. of Pieces in the series:

5

Secret (SP)/Chase:

None

Variants:

Day & Night Variants

Size:

4-7 cm

Availability (in Singapore):

Toys Room

Other Remarks:

As we have known the SR Binchotan series was a massive hit with local collectors, and when the preview pictures for this elegant vignette based trading figures were released, it sent a lot of people raving for it's actual release in July 2004. Came in 2 variants: day and night, basically different color shades, however in the final piece, "こげこげシーツにくるまるびん" Binchotan comes in 2 different poses altogether. 

鳥さんのバス停

A nice little vignette named as "Mr Bird's Bus stop" sees Binchotan crouching by a spot among the forest where there's a sign for the bus to stop-by. Binchotan as usual looks so cute yet pitiful. She is been pegged to the flimsy base by her bow at the back which is not secure at all. Love the tree stump, tree trunks, little stream and green bush which highlights the natural surroundings. The bus stop sign is pretty authentic as well and the bird feather is a memento from the bird as described on the title. In the "night" version, you will see shadows of Binchotan and the sign-post as a result of the evening's sunset.

渡りに鳥

Adorable vignette of the tiny Binchotan clinging on the back of a mother duck across the pond with her baby trailing behind. The transparent water base really depicts the scenic pond, with even ripples surrounding of the objects on the water surface to add to the realism. There are large hyacinths surrounding the ducks as well as large boulders aligned by the side of the water base. One of the hyacinth on my "Day" version can never be pegged on the base. The ducks are impeccably done but Binchotan is not so nice here. In the "Night" version, there would be a blur reflection of mother duck on the water surface.

近くて遠い宝物

Titled as "Treasure, so close yet so far", shows the poor Binchotan eyeing with envy the galore of toys she wants in the display of the toy shop. Very interactive vignette with a "showa" style double storey shop house. I simply love the  base made up of little bricks & pebbles for the pavement. The toys displayed despite their minute size, is intricately made. Binchotan once again is not pegged properly as she is been supported by her bow on the base.

ひとりぼっちの豪華な食事

The other piece that doesn't features Binchotan but her wealthy counterpart, Kunugitan. Despite having a grand dinner, Kunugitan still looks miserable, feeling lonely to be dining by herself. I like the way the sculptor has managed to depict the scenario without displaying the entire dining hall, cutting the wall by hall but still include a little photo-frame on the ledge & the elaborative fireplace. The dishes, utensils and candle-stick on the table is nicely made. Kunugitan is really small and could barely reach her steak. It's quite hard to fix the dining table together.

こげこげシーツにくるまるびん

The final piece is most fittingly to see our poor Binchotan cuddled in her thin bed sheets as she tried to keep herself warm early in the dawn (Day version) or bracing the chills in the middle of the night (Night version). Much like the previous piece, the sculptor used dissections of walls and floorings to vividly the entire scenario. The walls are badly cracked up and even had caricatures scribbled on it. The entire piece together with the straw mat which Binchotan sleeps on and the fireplace is very rustic. The Binchotan in bed sheet reminds me of the same piece from the "Hibi no Oshigoto" set., but much nicer. The other accessories like the laundry basket and the pot of charcoal are nice additions.

The Night version has a stark difference beside paintjob. You see Binchotan lying on the mat with the room in absolute darkness accept the light from the door on which she is lying on. The fireplace is barely lighted with a few piece of small charcoal to keep poor Binchotan warm.