Mongol Invasion Era Samurai

[Timotheos]

I dedicate this to Cheng, my samurai inspiration--

This is my first attempt at a Japanese custom.

The samurai is fashioned for the era of the Mongol invasion (late 1100s) wearing haramaki type armor (lamellar / laminated apron, not a breastplate; the reason the armor looks like cloth is due to the thick laces used to bind the laminate plates together).  He is armed with a naganata.

This didn't turn out exactly as planned--as I like my customs "useable" and he clearly can't move.  Next time I may try painting the "kusazuri" (girdle) so that the guy can sit down and move his arms properly...  but I worried painting it would look cheap...  At least the yarn counts as experimental.  That was completely spontaneous.  I started with a breastplate, intending the yarn as a belt.  Next time, though, may try painting it...  I'm afraid to try squeezing a sword into the belt for fear of tearing it all off.

[cheng]

ah so! sho ka....yo shi ! Ichi-ban !!!
(so! is that...very good ! number one !!!)

thats all the Japanese I know..the rest is Kawasaki-Yamaha-Mitsubishi... 

but seriously Tim, yours is fantastic....you must have researched and thought a long time....
your naganata is a great idea.....the chinese also fixed broad swords at the end of long poles...very nice for waving in the faces of mounted troops, with or without shaving creams 

and his pants....I like them!! shoulder pads...the purple color combination...his glove....but i think I like most of all is the sandals..

..youve inspired me very much too..domo arigato gozai masu, my tomodachi (friend)

[Justindo]

That's a nice custom with lots of great detail, Tim.  I don't know much about the period, but you've certainly done a better job than I ever could.