Samurai–Tokugawa Period (1600 – 1868)

By Adrian Hopwood Company – El Greco Miniatures Price – £18.00 Scale –54mm Material –White Metal Code – EGM-5401 Sculpted by – Stephen Malia The first of El Greco’s own branded range of figure models, and a nice start too. I’d have to be honest in saying that the picture doesn’t do this figure justice at all, and it’s quite an eye-catching piece when I saw it “in the flesh” on El Greco’s stand. I’ll mention my only reservation about the kit first, and that’s to do with the hands. On initial inspection the two hands appear to be of different sizes – quite alarmingly different actually. You can see this in one of the shots here. When the figure’s right hand is rotated, the size difference becomes less apparent, and some of the disparity is down to the pose. There is a slight difference in size though, and as the hand is curled around the fan, the final posing of the figure will magnify this I think. That’s the only negative point to this, and as the right hand is a separate piece, it’s not too hard to source an alternative hand from the spares box that would better suit the figure, and also then gives the modeller the chance to individualise his or her model. Having said that, the left hand, holding the sword, is separate too, and whilst you’d have to do some surgery to extract the sword and scabbard, this hand could be replaced rather than the left hand with it’s fan. Everything else about the model is a plus though. The pose is dramatic without being OTT, the sculpting is crisp and well replicated by the casting, and the parts fit together well due to the logical breaks. Additionally, the bridge is included with the model, and whilst it will require pinning together to support if properly, it does offer a nice addition to the scene, or a nice addition to the spares box for use with a different model, should you already have something in mind for the setting of this one. Definitely one for the Samurai aficionado to consider, and taking into account the inclusion of the bridge, the price is very reasonable too. Thanks to Matt and Celine at El Greco Miniatures for sending this along for review, the model is available from them at the address below, or by visiting their website. Adrian. El Greco Miniatures 63 Glebe Drive Brackley NN13 7BX United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)1280 840364 Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Home Page: http://www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk