The Smallest Samurai

October 7, 2015

Japanese Samurais wore some of the most intricate and artful armor in world history. Starting in the year 792, landowners in Japan began assembling their own defensive forces which gave rise to Samurai culture. Teams of craftsmen were involved in the process of creating their dazzling armor, including metalsmiths, leather workers, painters, and more.

Recreated here in 1:12 scale , artist Isabella Gallaon-Aoki single-handedly undertook the efforts of that entire team of full-scale craftspeople. The diminutive warrior is bedecked in a costume made of jacquard silk, hand painted leather, and fur accents. Atop his kabuto, or helmet, is a carved golden dragon. While we can’t confirm or deny that the collection objects come to life at night like in Night at the Museum, we like to think this guy would guard his fellow miniatures with exceptional skill using his bow, known as a yumi.