Jewel Beetle (Insects of Japan Vol. 1 by Yujin)

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The only Jewel beetle, made by Yujin. For the ones new to animal figurine collecting; Yujin is an Japanese company that makes next to other types of toys outstanding animal figurines full of detail and always very realistic. They have produced a vast range of insects, fish and frogs, which I personally regard as one of the best fgurines around. Yujin only made figurines for the Japanese market (gashapon figurines).

The Jewel beetle (Chrysochroa fulgidissima ) or tamamushi in Japanese meaning; ‘gem-bug’ is a metallic woodboring beetle of the family Buprestidae. This beetle is native to Japan and Korea. It is found in woods during summer under the strong sunshine and real specimens measure between 30–41 millimetres in length.

Te Jewel beetle was included in Insects of Japan Volume I. It Measures 3,8 cm (including antennae) so scale 1:1. The base measures approximately 6,5 cm.

The Jewel beetle on it’s base.

The Insects of Japan volumes I, II, III and IV vary in the number of insect figures per set. Each volume has a taxonomic focus to some degree. Volume I focuses on beetles (Coleoptera) but also contains 3 cicadas, 1 hornet and 4 dragonflies in the revised and renewed set.

Each insect in the volumes comes with a little booklet in Japanese only.

Yes, that’s correct. Volume I was released two times. The first release (2005) included 12 figurines , the second ‘revised and renewed’ release (2006) contained 17 figurines, with even more exquisite detail and in a general a better paintjob than the insects from the first release.

Revised version (left) compared to the first version (right). Spot the difference in antennae and colouring.
Revised version (left) and first version (right).

All of the figures from insects of Japan are sculpted after actual specimens. All figures are scale 1:1 in size. Most figures require some degree of assembly. The legs and antennae or leaves/branches of the bases some figurines have can be very thin and delicate. Care must be taken with assembly; it helps to carefully sand the paint residue connection points.

The Jewel beetle comes on a habitat-style base consisting of a little branche with two leaves.

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