Samurai preparing for seppuku

[Lovejoy]

Having finished my 90mm Celic Briton, I thought I'd try something a bit different. So I've gone for a Samurai preparing for seppuku.

He'll be 90mm. I'm doing him kneeling in the seiza position, either on a tatami mat, or on gravel, I'm not sure which yet. he'll be dressed in kamishimo, and will have a sanbo tray in front of him, with a cup, paper, writing set, and a kozuka blade.

I've made a start, but not got very far yet...

Michael Lovejoy

 

[Lovejoy]

I've done some work on his head, just some basic shaping, and facial work.

 

[Lovejoy]

And after really struggling with finding hair references for the Edo period, I finally got to work on his futatsu ori mage, and did a bit more on the face.

 

[megroot]

This is gonna be exceptionel.
Great work.

marc

 

[Lovejoy]

I've also done a fair bit of work on the equipment too. Hopefully, next week I'll tackle the tatami, and get on with the clothing. I'm tempted to use polymer clay for the cloth, rather than the ProCreate I've used up to now - I've a feeling it'll be more forgiving...

 

[eissteban]

so original ! Excellent

Seb.

 

[1969]

Nice idea with the seppuku,i think the facial expression will make or break this project considering the subject matter.

Steve

 

[vergilius]

great idea !!
I'll certainly follow this up

 

[georges64]

Hi Michael,
knowing how its difficult to sculpt a head, is his face finished. I find hie eyes very strange! As for your project its looks original and interesting but could you tell us more on what's "seppuku"?

georges.

 

[Lovejoy]

Thanks for the comments, everyone - feedback is always appreciated!
I had a go at the hands and the tatami mat today... unfortunately both were disasters! I'll try them again tomorrow. I also had another go at the face. It's improving, although one eye is still very wrong - hopefully that'll be fixed in the morning.
Georges, seppuku is ritualised suicide. I'll try and give some detail on it soon.

 

[Lovejoy]

Not much more work on this yet I'm afraid - I've been caught up painting the Celtic Briton I sculpted. I've rewprked the face a little more, and I've done the tatami mat.
Here's a pic.

 

[vergilius]

excellent mat,mike

 

[dinovision79]

Hi Michael,

I'm with the others, great idea! I think the face is coming along nicely too!
Good luck with your company!

Denes

 

[Lovejoy]

I've done a bit more on this Samurai over the last few days - hopefully I'l have it finished by the end of the week. Here's a couple more in progress pics:

 

[Wheels]

Here's a thought, though I admit it's a bit strange. You could purposely mess up the one imperfect eye with that providing the reason for his shame.

How about placing something of simple beauty ( eg vase of flowers ) in the scene as a conscious choice on his part to be the last thing he wants to see
in this life. The death scene of Katsumoto in Last Samurai made me think of it.

This is a great, original idea for a vignette.

 

[Lovejoy]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the suggestions, but I've fixed the eye - I really don't fancy messing it up again....

Here's the (pretty much) finished model: