The collection presented here offers only a small glimpse into a much larger universe of Star Wars memorabilia that my stepfather has gathered since the release of Episode IV as a hobby. This project began during one of my visits to my parents' house in Japan, where I found myself reflecting on my own childhood hobbies and the things I used to create.

 

I have long been curious about the origin of my stepfather's Star Wars hobby, which finally motivated me to watch the films. I started photographing the items from his shelves that were easily visible and accessible. This project became a way for me to connect with him and share in his enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away. As I worked on this project, I grew to appreciate it even more and felt a strong desire to preserve this part of the world.

To gain a deeper understanding of Star Wars perspective, I watched Episodes I through VI myself. This experience allowed me to appreciate not only the films and their characters but also the understand the intense passion shared by the fans. I believe I watched them during a pivotal time in my life—perhaps later than most of my peers—but at a moment when I could grasp the nuances and ideologies of the characters in a way that resonates with my understanding now. Like my stepfather, I haven't watched the newest three episodes. However, I can say that my favorite films are III, V, and VI, and C-3PO and R2-D2 are my favorite characters.
 

Involving him in the process was challenging, and as a result, many aspects remained undisclosed, leaving us waiting for another opportunity to share more. For now, I view this as an introduction. To my surprise, I discovered that the collection is much larger than I initially thought. There are many more items that are not on display, with some stored away under dust to make room for his other projects or kept in a different place for safekeeping.

My stepfather, affectionately known as 'Shishou' (師匠), is a renowned model maker, a professional in Japan’s plastic modeling world. Born in Tokyo in 1957, he first made a name for himself when he won a modeling contest at age 33, sparking a lifelong passion for creating detailed 1/35-scale tank models. His shelves are primarily filled with plastic model creations that reflect his profession.
 

However, he specifically sets aside a place for his Star Wars items, even if many remain out of sight. Collecting these items is a hobby for him; he enjoys acquiring pieces that he finds interesting. The photographs I took, I would say, just an Introduction to his collection—showcasing the pieces that are currently on display. I hope to get back into exploring the collection more deeply in the future.

 

Amidst this, I would like to highlight some items from his words. He mentioned an alarm clock I asked about and I was drawn to the most, which may be the oldest item shown in the photographs, along with R2-D2, which has turned yellow from tobacco stains he received from a customer friend back in the day when he ran a shop. He also talked about Chewbacca and Han Solo figures that he started painting in his 30s or 40s; he doesn't remember exactly when but he never finished it. He mentioned not opened yet newer 1/12 scale models, like the Scout Trooper on a Speeder Bike, when I asked him about his favorite character. I was surprised to learn that he doesn't really have one he is crazy about, but he considers the Scout Trooper as a potential favorite because of his longstanding passion for motorbikes. He expressed how cool it would be to ride the Speeder Bike through the woods in real life from the scene. This Scout Trooper sits alongside a 1/12 scale BB-8 and R2-D2, models he looks forward to assembling and painting next, though I doubt it will be any time soon.

Many of items are collectibles that he purchased on a whim simply because they caught his eye. He mentioned that even just seeing the Star Wars logo gives him a thrill, sparking a sense of excitement. Such as books, CDs, keychains, figures, plastic model kits that he has been keeping by his desk for years, having bought and forgotten about them, all while claiming he will assemble and paint them someday. Capturing these items in their current state genuinely reflects his personality and his evolving relationship with the Star Wars universe and I wasn't organizing them in any particular order.

 

Through this project, I’ve experimented with product photography as a form of storytelling, aiming to capture the essence of a unique collector and his world. I hope this introduction offers a glimpse into a story that is still unfolding, both for him and for me.