Finally I am able to get a start on my Musha MkII. I know fellow bloggers Busterbeam and lupes are already well underway on this kit and have written a few entries about it, which makes me feel like I am late to the party. But the time spent not building has not been wasted! (I do waste a fair amount of time, though. I just have less of it to waste these days with new projects being undertaken at work.)
I have some ideas of what I want my Musha to look like, but before I start hacking up plastic I want to make absolutely sure I know what my vision is. That takes research.
Luckily, I know a thing or two about Yoroi (鎧) or Japanese armour.
This is the definitive book when it comes to Japanese Armour. The title could be translated as 'Encyclopedia of Japanese Armour and Weapons'. Written by arguably the most recognized authority on the subject, the late Yoshihiko Sasama, this book gives you everything you want to know about armour and its history. And there are lots of pictures and diagrams. C'mon, I'll show you.
Yoroi
Patterns
More Yoroi
Undergarments
Different types of arm covers
Helmets
and Tachi (太刀）
As you can see, the blades included with this kit, although named 太刀 by Bandai, are quite different from the real thing. As these are designated tachi I intend to make my plastic ones look just like real ones, or as close as possible. There will be modding. More on that later.
I mentioned the vision, or perhaps the more appropriate term is 'rough idea' of what I wanted to do with this kit. I have two actually and haven't yet decided which way I will go. I have managed to find some pictures that accurately represent what I want.
This one carries the same look as the kit. Some work will need to be done to the armour to make it look like more like, well, armour. The colours also look pretty good to me with that orange trim. I'm a sucker for orange.
This is the famous Date Masamune's suit of armour, identifiable by the crescent moon shaped ornament on the Kabuto (helmet). This suit goes more with the normal colours found on the Mk II and also has some light orange trim.
Hmm.. decisions, decisions...
But fear not! This post is not devoid of plastic.
That's how I roll.
Dude... this is hardcore. Now thats taking gunplaing seriously. Props to you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the fray! I'd love to do a mod like replace the horns with Date's crescent moon (loved the character in Basara) but then it wouldn't match the rest of the gold on the kit.. what you do for this guy looks like it'll be hotness.
ReplyDeletei am afraid
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea. Random from the GA forums used the same inspiration for his Shin Musha colour scheme. If the forum was alive I would link you to it =(
ReplyDeleteWith your expert touch this is going to be nothing short of wonderous!
@G.G.: Maybe a little too hardcore. I need to find the balance of what I can do and what is beyond me.
ReplyDelete@lupes: I am considering removing all the gold plating and then doing something else to those parts. I still haven't decided which scheme to go with. Too much other stuff on my plate at the moment.
@Buster: Be afraid. Be very afraid.
@Tonzo: Too bad about the forum. I really miss it. and one member there owes me money for Bandai replacement parts! ;)