Completed The next samurai

[Oda]

I agree with most of it.Yes it should be fun,that's what it's all about.And yes it is ridiculous to say that a red tunic is historically inaccurate when worn by a viking.But how would you feel about a brocade tunic worn by an Athenian hoplite in the 5th cent BC(there is absolutely no evidence of brocade fabrics being around at that time).
You are also right that many historical artists made mistakes but they were usually active in a time when information(historical,archaeological,etc)was scarce and not available to all(in stark contrast,you will find very few mistakes in modern historical artists like the late Angus McBride).If it is all about fun then there should be no fuss about competitions,prizes and stuff like that.If you are having fun and you are proud of your creations and your peers appreciate them then why turn competitive and why get disappointed when an ignorant judge turns down your figure?
You are also right that if you consider yourself primarily an artist nothing else matters.Personally I feel like an amateur hobbyist and my hobby is historical miniature modelling which in turn-for me at least-is a part of a greater category called "living history" or "experimental archaeology".Going at great lenght in order to be historically accurate(or at least relative) is actually great fun for me and a most creative part of my hobby.If I were an artist I would probably have taken up portrait painting or the creation of fantasy figures exclusively.Having fun is not just painting,it's "living"in the past as well.It's not just a hobby,it's my own personal time machine.
I feel that there should be a balance.It's not just about paints and putty and the likes and it's not just about getting the right buttons and the right chevrons.It's about both and that's why it is such a great hobby(creative,fun,even therapeutic).
As for the people who spend hours" talking about the right blue" I will have to agree with you.They take most of the fun away.But as you have pointed out,you can always turn and run away.
Finally I must stress the point that the whole discussion was never intended to diminish the value of Rodion's work.It is a masterpiece by any standards and there can be no question about it.

Oda.

 

[Rodion]

Thank you for your kind words. Do you understand me!
Sincerely Rodion

 

[yellowcat]

Wow, missed all the discussion on the historical accuracy of the Samurai armour. As I stated earlier Rodion's figure sculpt is great with all the details. Historical with a touch of fantasy. May be there should be a separate thread regarding historical accuracy of the Samurai armour.

Check out my Samurai references which I previously posted in the Historical References, Literature & Media Review in the forum. All references are in PDF file. Click download, then direct download. If the create an account appears, you don't have to create an account. Just X it out and click download again. You can also save the file onto your computer and print it.

1. Woodblock print book Tanki Yoriaku Hi Ko Ben/Samurai armour and equipment manual. Written by Hayakawa Kyuukei, 1735. Translation by Matt Garbutt, 1911.
Tanki Yoriaku Hi Ko Ben/Samurai armour and equipment manual HERE

2. Bonhams auction catalog Arts of the Samurai 2013 and 2014.
Arts of the Samurai 2013 HERE
Arts of the Samurai 2014 HERE

3. Kato Kiyomasa
Photo link HERE
Woodblock print images link HERE

4. Samurai Bows and Arrows HERE

5. Samurai Arrow Cases HERE

6. Samurai Abumi Horse stirrups HERE

7. Samurai Horse Saddle and Equipment HERE

8. Samurai Horse Armour and Horse Mask HERE

9. Samurai Yari and Naginata HERE

10. Samurai Fur Shoes and Wrarji HERE

11. Samurai Saihai War Baton and Fan HERE

12. Samurai Jinbaori Surcoats HERE

 

[Rodion]

Yellowcat, this wealth! Thank you so much for the material. do - do not alter.
Sincerely Rodion

 

[Oda]

Well,fellow planeteers I warmly implore you all to excuse my French following in the next few lines.
Yellowcat my a**** you sir are a solid golden cat.There are not words enough to thank you for this immense wealth you -so generously- shared tonight.You are truly a gentleman.A million thanks.

Oda.

 

[TADATSUGU]

Digressing a little on the subject of accuracy, I totally agree with all Oda's comments but I cannot even comprehend a strictly "painters" view, along the lines of "who cares if it isn't 100% accurate if it is well painted and looks good".

I accept that no-one can ever be sure that a model will be 100% accurate and I am happy accept some degree of artistic licence. For most of the time I would usually prefer a well equipped and freshly issued uniform over the tattered appearance most soldiers probably had on campaign.
A case in point here is the Alexandros model of Marshall Ney. He is depicted in full regalia during the later, rearguard stage of the Russian retreat; but on his return to the main army he was described as being unrecognizable; dirty and dressed in tatters with a long unkempt beard. Unless someone was trying to specifically represent this in a diorama, I would prefer the more heroic version presented by Alexandros myself. The point I am trying to make is, that regardless of personal preference in presentation, the underlying Alexandros figure is still accurate in respect of all the basic uniform details. A "painter" could pick up this figure without any research, confident that the manufacturer has done the research for him unfortunately many companies aren't that
thorough.

Samurai, and Japanese art in general, have always appealed to me but I am no Academic expert. Nevertheless, in researching items for my own pleasure, I have become highly suspicious of even period source material which is often fanciful.
I am also indebted to Yellowcat for his generous sharing of material but the uninitiated should still proceed with caution. For example; I have many of the pictures of Jinbaori, that Yellowcat posted, in various Japanese language books; but not being able to read Japanese, I have no idea who they belonged to. Most of those pictures are of items that have been preserved or re-created for museums because they are known to have been owned by prominent personalities (the same applies to personal Sashimono / banners).

To me it not just a case of picking a nice looking Jinbaori and sticking it on any Samurai figure, as I have often seen done, (unless of course "you just don't care" or it isn't important to you). Call me obsessive if you like, but I would not find it acceptable to present a model of Kato Kiyomasa wearing a Jinbaori known to have belonged to Toyotomi Hideyori, no matter how beautifully painted it was; that would be like someone who had never seen a Star Wars film picking up a model of a Stormtrooper and substituting Darth Vader's helmet just because it looked better!

 

[Oda]

Couldn't have said it better myself David.You are right on the mark.

Oda.

 

[attila]

Rodion, I understand you made the figure for a private collector. Would he mind you made the same figure for me or would you be prepared to make another figure (also Samurai) for me? I hope so.
Attila