Asakusa Senso-ji Temple

myminifactory

Welcome to Tokyo! Asakusa is a district that brings to life the Buddhist Senso-ji Temple, dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. Pilgrims travel from across Japan to pray and marvel at the architecture: entirely crafted from wood and painted in vibrant red. When I visited Asakusa, it was like a dream finally came true! This is a tribute to Japan's people and culture! A big shoutout goes out to my friends Shinobu and Shizuya, who took me there! This set includes 5 models in various versions: Senso-ji, Hozomon, Kaminarimon, Pagoda, and Asakusa temple grounds. Process. I used photos I took myself to refresh my memory and some from the internet. Additionally, Google Maps helped me figure out the layout of each building, proportions, and spacing. To get the details right, I sketched them out and studied the geometric bodies and intersections. Modeling. Using parametric software, I modeled everything from scratch in SolidWorks - it was relatively easy but tedious as there were many details (extrudes and cuts). However, the shapes of the roofs posed a challenge, being double curves (non-planar). After working on complicated 3D sketches and lofts, I finally figured them out. Inspiration. This model set represents a dream come true: I've visited the temple twice. This 3D printed set is my tribute to Japan - I am beyond happy to share it with the world! The idea of MiniWorld originated from a visually-impaired friend who asked me if I could use 3D printing to help her and others "see" the world - with miniature models, they can grasp the shapes and sizes of famous landmarks and travel with their hands. All my creations are made by hand and brain. Please give credit where it's due. It's all about spreading culture!