Small Daily Pleasures: Tanaka Tatsuya’s Miniature Calendar

“Bread Train” (“Shinpansen” in the original Japanese) is hugely popular with children. (© Tatsuya Tanaka)

“Soft Snow” is built around an artificial sample cake, but Tanaka’s works may also use real food. (© Tatsuya Tanaka)

In “Rice Reaping,” the clumps were cut individually by hand; the uneven finish serves to heighten the realistic effect. (© Tatsuya Tanaka)

Crossing the water in a “Sakura Boat.” (© Tatsuya Tanaka)

It may look like the bloody aftermath of a battle, but fear not, “This Is Ketchup.” (© Tatsuya Tanaka)

Tanaka says he learned about photography and lighting techniques through self-study.

He sorts his miniature figures by size and job, among other factors.

Under Tanaka’s much-employed broccoli trees, “Shall We Dance?” (© Tatsuya Tanaka)