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Review Ronin from Legion Miniatures/Silver Dream Studio

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi to all

    Hope everyone is well and safe so to brighten the world up I am going to look at a figure release I was sent by Andrey at Legion Miniatures

    We are going to be looking at :

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    Produced by Legion Miniatures in collaboration with Silver Dream Studio

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    The model depicts a Ronin wielding 2 swords advancing downward a series of stepped stones but who or what were the Ronin

    A ronin was a samurai warrior in feudal Japan without a master or lord — known as a daimyo.

    A samurai could become a ronin in several different ways: his master might die or fall from power or the samurai might lose his master's favor or patronage and be cast off.

    The word "ronin" literally means "wave man," so the connotation is that he is a drifter or a wanderer. The term is quite pejorative, as its English equivalent might be "vagrant." Originally, during the Nara and Heian eras, the word was applied to serfs who fled from their masters' land and took to the road — they would often turn to crime to support themselves, becoming robbers and highwaymen.

    Over time, the word was transferred up the social hierarchy to rogue samurai. These samurais were seen as outlaws and vagabonds, men who had been expelled from their clans or had renounced their lords.

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    Our Ronin is as we see armed with swords lets have a bit of detail on a couple of the sword types

    The Japanese Tachi sword is, in some respects, similar to the Katana. However, it can be distinguished by its more pronounced curve and slightly longer blade. The Tachi was primarily used by warriors on horseback, where the extra length and curve of the blade made it particularly suited to cutting down enemy foot soldiers on foot.
    The sword is the predecessor to the Katana as the preferred weapon of Japan’s warrior class, and it evolved over the years into more modern designs. The two are differentiated from each other by the fittings on the blade and how they were worn.

    The legendary Katana is the most well-known type of Japanese sword, which is often simply referred to by many as the ‘Samurai Sword’. The Katana has several characteristics which make it easily recognisable. The single-edged blade is curved, slender, and averages between 60cm – 80cm long. Most Katana will have a square or round hand guard, and the handle will be long enough to accommodate two hands. The Katana has long been associated with the Samurai class of feudal Japan. It’s instantly recognisable by many due to its appearance in pop culture, and it has become synonymous with Japanese swords.

    The Katana was developed between 1392-1573, during the Muromachi period. It’s thought the sword was a response to changes in the battlefield environment which required warriors to be more responsive and faster. The Katana was unique as it was traditionally worn with the edge facing upwards, allowing the wearer to draw the sword and strike their opponent in a single motion.

    This shows the above swords

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    A Wakizashi sword is another traditional Japanese sword with a shorter blade compared to the Katana. The average Wakizashi is between 30 and 60 centimetres. The sword is similar in some respects to the Katana and is shorter than it. Traditionally, the Wakizashi would be worn with the Katana by Samurai warriors. This pairing of swords was called the daisho, or big-little. The Katana in this pairing would be called simply the sword, long sword or killing sword, while the Wakizashi would be called the companion sword.

    The Wakizashi could be used as a backup weapon, or in some circumstances, could be wielded in the warrior's off-hand, if the Samurai were skilled enough to use two swords at the same time. On occasions, the sword was used to commit Seppuku, or ritual suicide, which lead to the title ‘Honor Blade’.

    When entering a building or residence, the Samurai would often be required to leave their Katana at the entrance. However, the Wakizashi could be worn at all times without causing offence. This made the sword something like a side arm, as it was inconspicuous and could be taken everywhere. It was also especially well-suited to fighting in confined spaces, seeing as the sword is shorter than a Katana. Some Samurai would even sleep with the sword under their pillow, or next to the bed, in order for it to be instantly accessible.

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    Books are obviously readily available on the Samurai here are a couple I can recommend

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    Continued in next post

    Nap
    Capt. Warren and NeilW like this.
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Lets look at the release details

    Details of the release:

    Title: Ninja v's Samurai ...Ronin

    Reference: LMA90-012

    Scale: 90mm

    No of pieces: 10

    Material: Medium Gray resin

    Sculptor: R VOROBJOV

    Casting: In house

    Box Art: SILVER DREAM STUDIO

    The review item was received in the usual laser cut wooden box with colour pictures on the lid and on one of the sides

    Legion Ronin 001.jpg Legion Ronin 002.jpg

    Parts consist of torso ( with head ) 2 arms . 2 legs , 2 swords , 2 scabbards and a base

    Legion Ronin 003.jpg

    Prep

    With limited pieces prep consists of removing excess resin posts from legs and arms and fitting in place and together in respect the legs , you will need filler . a quick look around all the resin reveals a fine casting line...easy to remove by sanding

    There are 2 swords to fit ...the smaller one fits into the left hand , slight filling , the longer in the right ....the blades were warped on the review items but using a heat source will easily straighten ...just be careful !!

    Scabbards need fitting again after removing the casting posts

    The base had 3 casting posts to remove ...and then dryfit the locating areas on the feet ...the base can be used as it is or incorporated within a larger groundwork

    Lets look at the Main Torso with head cast on

    Our Ronin is wearing loose fitting clothing allowing ease of movement so we have a mass of natural folds and creases , the edges being nicely worked

    To locate the arms there is a generous 2 cutouts that take the posts cast onto them

    The head is a good sculpt of a hardened and determined warrior , good facial features the mouth shut and slightly angled down , really good definition on the cheek bones , eyes are easy to get to .

    The hair is pulled up into a loose topknot ,held in place by a cord , nice texture on the hair

    Around the head a band pulling into the head correctly , nice touch is the strand of hair sitting over the front , at the rear the headband is tied in a flattened bow

    Legion Ronin 004.jpg Legion Ronin 005.jpg Legion Ronin 006.jpg Legion Ronin 006.jpg

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    Continued in next post

    Nap
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Onto the remainder of the resin

    Arms

    Both are sculpted outright and in the action pose , the sleeves are just below the elbow and again folds and creases are all in place

    The lower arms are well sculpted with the veins being well shown with the pressure of gripping the weapons , both hands are in the gripping position to take the weapon handles , finger work is sharply done with nails and individual fingers showing well

    Legion Ronin 020.jpg Legion Ronin 021.jpg Legion Ronin 023.jpg Legion Ronin 024.jpg Legion Ronin 025.jpg Legion Ronin 026.jpg Legion Ronin 027.jpg

    Legs

    Wearing the loose fiting clothing bloused together just below the knee , again folds are full and well worked , the pieces fit together by means of 3 pins and will need filler as I said

    The lower legs are covered , tied at the ankle , these lead down to the sandals called Zori , made of rice straw , the lower pieces are textured with good supporting cords , the lower of the feet will need excess resin removing and filler when in place on the base

    Legion Ronin 012.jpg Legion Ronin 013.jpg Legion Ronin 014.jpg Legion Ronin 015.jpg Legion Ronin 017.jpg Legion Ronin 018.jpg Legion Ronin 020.jpg

    Legion Ronin 016.jpg Legion Ronin 019.jpg

    Weapons etc

    2 swords one shorter both have a good shape but are a little delicate so replacing with a brass version would be a wise option IMO , looking at the resin blades the are angled down to a cutting edge

    Both handles are wrapped in a similar grip and will look good painted up , a small amount of filler when fitting to the hands is advised

    The remaining 2 pieces have aslight texture , again painting will bring this out

    Legion Ronin 028.jpg Legion Ronin 029.jpg


    Base

    Its nice to see a more detailed base , this one is angled like stepping stones with vegetation growing inbetween , good location points for the feet

    Ideal for using in a larger basework

    Legion Ronin 031.jpg Legion Ronin 030.jpg Legion Ronin 032.jpg

    Final Thoughts

    A nice addition to the 90mm range and plenty of resin to paint with patterns , ideal for single display or with the others from the series ...all well worth checking out , details are good and build needs minimal work albeit it with putty at times

    The series is a challenge to paint and with many options possible

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    Lets enjoy some pics from Silver Dream Studio of the box artwork

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    Legion are members here ( user ID Andrey )

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    ....so you can order direct from him here on PF or via the website which is:

    www.legionminiatures.org

    They also have a FB page:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/214757915731528/

    Thanks to Legion for the review item and to you all for looking in

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
    Capt. Warren and Andrey like this.
  4. Ronaldo A Fixture

    Looks a nice edition to a Samurai collection ,as a Ronin I would subdue the colours more in keeping with there disgraced status :)
    Nap likes this.
  5. franck edet A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    once again the angles of the blades are really offf ... an easy fix but can someone do, one day, a correct Katana please ?
    Nap and yellowcat like this.
  6. yellowcat A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    The blade is longer than the saya.
    Nap and franck edet like this.
  7. franck edet A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    it's like no sculptor is looking at real blades before sculpting them
    Nap likes this.
  8. Ronaldo A Fixture

    Doesn't just go for Katana , some of the larger scale sabres are dreadful .

    ~I think the shear volume of figures being rushed onto the market doesn't help ,part of the resin revolution in the past vulcanised moulds
    and centrifugal casting costs slowed things down
    Nap likes this.
  9. yellowcat A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    It is oddt to hold the katana at the back of the tsuka for an overhead strike.
    Redcap and Nap like this.
  10. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Guys

    Thanks for all the comments and thoughts and the pictures from Felix ...the 2nd looks very much like what might have been used for this release

    I learn something ref the blades as well

    Happy benchtime and stay safe

    Nap
  11. Andrey A Fixture

    Country:
    Russian-Federation
    Ronin with friends!

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    Redcap, Old Pete and Nap like this.
  12. rjray Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Pretty impressive sculpting. And I wouldn’t have even thought about the angle on the blades...

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