This was my 3rd time submitting diagrams, and it finally paid off The main problem was I was submitting the same diagrams to OUSA in the past, and they publish first. This year I diagrammed one model for each instead.
Nope, and I can't speak Japanese either. I believe the most important part is the image with dimensions. Google translate will do a half decent job if you paste the URL into it. The first page is mostly what they expect in model (unique, fun to fold, etc.), how to submit and a form for mail-in. The second page is diagram criteria which is mostly common sense (no huge files, vector graphics strongly advised and so on).
However, I couldn't find that page when I originally submitted my diagrams. I gave them permission to scale parts if they don't fit properly, whether or not they did I have yet to find out. I think if you're submitting diagrams, just make sure they will fit nicely into 160 by 225 mm
On the bottom of this page there are templates for the most common diagramming programs to fit your diagrams in: http://origami.gr.jp/Convention/17th/index.html
These templates are only available on the Japanese part of the website, therefore they may be a little hard to find.
fyi, i ordered mine last week and they shipped it today. you can buy it through the tanteidan using paypal and this is how i recommend you get it. i'm not sure what other venues are possible other than origami-shop, to be honest.
The somewhat new postal handling at Origamihouse has been much improved.
While I ordered only recently, the Tanteidan Convention Vol. 17 arrived in just 12 days .
Volume 17 is well worth having , some great models within !
May I wish success to all who cope with the mountains & valleys of Life,
with all its peaks & depths, as well as Origami .
I believe that this is a Roman original Blue Bar Pigeon .
It is a bit less complex, with shorter neck , tail, and less complex feet than Seth's photo version in Licence to Fold .
Seth's Pigeon in The Paper is more simple than either, overall, and different than either of the above .
I believe that Roman's is nicely done , nevertheless , and a realistic intermediate pigeon .
May I wish success to all who cope with the mountains & valleys of Life,
with all its peaks & depths, as well as Origami .