Custom 1/6 Historically accurate Ninja by hunterpig review

[Renascor]

Hello all,

Bought a custom made 1/6 Ninja over ebay. The ebay seller was a middleman for the custom maker. The custom maker is based in Singapore. So, is the middleman. I believe, the person goes by the nick 'hunterpig'. I never communicated with the maker, only through the middleman who was helping sell the ninja through ebay. Most Ninjas out there aren't really historically accurate per se. Leather jacket, straight pants, a pull over balaclava. Mostly the image from 'American Ninja kind of movies.' Even, the Triad Ninja set and Ignite Ninja aren't really close to historically accurate.

So, when I was Ebay window shopping and saw this ninja I was really suprised. The clothing was more or less what historically a Ninja on covert mission would dress like. This ninja cost US$199 without shipping. Anyway it arrived today and thought of doing up a review

First and formost, Ninjutsu till this day are kindda of viewed skeptically among the Koryu bujustsu community in Japan. I believe the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai to this date has not admitted any Ninja based schools to their association. (Then again there are a number of legit Ryu-ha who don't join this association).The Nihon Kobudo Kyokai is an association for traditional Japanese martials arts. (Kobudo is not Aikido, Iaido, Judo so and and so forth. They are very small sized school with lineages dating back to 1600's. They still exist but they are slowly dying out because most people in Japan aren't interested in them) and it takes years to learn them. Most of then don't use the 'dan' system. They just give out certification generally called 'Menkyo' or 'Mokuroku' (depending on the style). Some of them practice armored-swordsmanship (Shojitsu Kenri Kataichi Ryu, Yagyu Shingan Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu.) or Horseback archery (Ogasawara Ryu, Takeda Ryu), others teach grabbling in full armor (Yagyu Shingan Ryu), and of course the famous Musashi school (Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu, still exist).

For Ninjas I believe currently, there are two main 'Ninja schools' the Bujinkan and Genbukan. They are schools which teach fighting arts which the Ninjas used, as well as Ninja based techiniques. I think these 2 schools are very popular overseas. I don't know anything more about them. Anyway, onto the pics!



Here you can see the head-wrap is done the traditional way. That's how Ninjas wrap their head. (Not some balaclava). I wonder, how the custom maker figured out how to tie the head wrap. I think he must have some accurate source (maybe a good book). So 1 point on that ! If you notice, the Ninja is wearing something known as Hakama. It's not black pants. (thats what most ninja action figures are made to wear which is not historically accurate) It's pleated culuotees. Its what those samurai wear. But the Ninja when geared up like that figure, tie up the Hakama that way. That way of tying the Hakama is known as Momodachi style. Kudos to the custom-maker, in getting this right. 2 points! The Hakama appears to be hand sewn, there's even the 6 pleats on them. It's a factual design not fantasy. Next if you notice the custom maker chose to use a braided cord for the himo (strings), instead of some black ribbon. It makes the whole think proportionate. he did a very stylish wrap-around of the himo around the body. Plus point 3. I have no idea, if that's how its done historically.





Close up on the tabi. The custom-maker did a good choice in not trying to re-create waraji (straw sandals). Most 1/6 Waraji don't make it look good. (c.f. Date Masamune, Ii Naomasa, Takeda Shingan). The custom maker basically sewed strings onto black cloth socks to simulate Tabi. Pretty fine work on the himo tying.





It seems, the custom maker hand created the Ninja-to. Ninja-to are akin to a crude-machete, unlike katanas. I'm not entirely sure how accurate Ninja-to are really. You can't find Ninja-tos in Sword museums in Japan and there are no preserved Ninja-to around. Anyhows,the custom-maker seem to have hand-made the saya (scabbard) and he/she 'battle-worn it'. The Ninja-to was made with metal. It did not have a Hamon (That wave-like pattern at the edge of the blade). All in all I commend his/her work. It's not as nice as the Mononofu 1/6 series swords but given its custom made he/she did a very great job.



The figure also came with hand made shurikens stringed up on the himo. I think they are 5 of them. Good think he didn't put 4. 4 is consider an unlucky number it sounds like 'dead' in Japanese. So most feudal warriors won't carry stuff in 'fours'. Here you can see the musubi (knots) on the himo (strings). Very nicely done. The Uwagi (Shirt), while I'm not sure if its 100% accurate, looks very believable to being historical accurate.



Close up of the head wrap. I wonder how the custom maker figure out how to do the 'traditional' head wrap. Very well done.





Ninja doing Nukitsuki (quick draw of sword from scabbard).Some poses with a Mononofu 1/6 sword. The sword is metal and has a hamon (wave pattern on the edge). Here the Ninja is doing a Nukitsuki !



KAI ! - On-no-ma-ku-san-man-da-ba-sa-ra-dan-kan ! Ninja preforming Kuji (9 letters, Kai is the 5th letter). A kind of spell to place the combatant into a state of extinguishing the self (muga). Apparently it takes extraordinarily arduous training to enter this state at will, so they tend to invoke the Kuji. (Those Ninja finger signs, each sign has an associated chant). LOL too fun ! The Ninja can be posed to sit in Seiza as seen in the pic. OMG the whole scene is turning white ! he's entering the state of Muga ! hehehe



Ninja doing a position known as Iai-goshi. Where the left knee is on the ground and the right knee is slightly raised. It's a recon position, for example when hiding in tall grass. It allows quick movement from a low position during outside terrain, unlike seiza (sitting on your knees).



Ninja throws a flash bomb (that's why its all bright white!) and jumps in the air and does a fast draw!



Here's the box that came with the custom ninja. Pretty nice box, The top cover is not printed. It came secure with plastic coated wires. The seller even packed some postcard of Singapore for me ! I believe that's the custom maker website.

About the nude. I'm not sure what nude was used but the arms click when rotated. (Like those revoltech figure). The thigh joints are not super duper tight but its ok. You can do wide stance poses fine and it will hold. But if you accidentally smack you hand on the figure and cause the figure to fall the 'thigh' positions will move. It's not tight like .. er.. Hot Toys Nude.

Well, that's my review. A very very solid historically believable Ninja. Very good work on the custom maker Hunterpig. Since it seems (not entierly sure) everything is handmade except the nude, I guess the US199 price is justified. I'm guessing the custom maker must have spent quite a bit initially trying to sew a right hakama and stuff.

Hope ya all enjoy the review

[justin_g]

Fantastic review - looks like the customiser did a top-notch job making the figure - no doubt a great addition to your collection!

[Yujin]

Renascor, great buy! I personally know the middleman and the custom maker (good friends actually - we goof about quite a bit! ), and I have seen the production process. Trust me, it is pretty hard work! And yup, the Ninja-to is hand-made. He has gone far in ensuring that everything on the ninja is as accurate as possible. When I do have the cash, I am going to get him to make one or me. Anyway, thanks for the review - I'll be sure to let him know that you really like it!

[kuzeh]

Awesome review, your knowledge of the topic is quite impressive!!
I've been a fan of Hunterpig's customs for a long time, unfortunately I can't afford them right now.
But maybe in the future I will!

[grizzerr]

Looks like a nice purchase.

[sixtus_56]

I got one of those Ninjas from that seller aswell...very top notch work...took me a while to cough up the $199.00 but it was a solid purchase.....Great review love the History lesson as well...

[Good Duck]

Impressive! With all the high price figures out in the market. This one truly worth it. I'll even say $199 for this figures is very good purchase. That a work of art, labor of love you got. thanks for the review.

[saiko]

Dang, I could never cough up that much cash on a single figure, but this one is really high in contention if I ever could. Thanks for sharing the multitude of pictures though, for now that will be more than enough inspiration. Grr, great now I want to some ninjas >.<

Seriously though, way cool ninja, he looks top notch--definitely a work of art and a labour of love as Good Duck aptly noted.

[Boogieman]

Thanks for the great review. Truly a gem of a figure. You most be happy to have it in your collection. Your knowledge of the subject is awesome.

[aylumyddet]

http://hunterpig.blogspot.com/

[deoxyrna]

I got one from Hunterpig too! My fav 1/6 figure actually. Will put up pics when I get some time..

[Kibagami Jubei]

Originally Posted by aylumyddet

http://hunterpig.blogspot.com/

Sweeeeet. Thanks for link, I'm now adding to the list of blogs. This guy most certainly knows his ninjas.

[Chesh313]

Awesome review dude...the customizer who made that knew his stuff, and weathered it properly too...

I don't even think the 200 dollar price tag for it is even that bad, considering how the entire hobby itself is going up in price. I'd love to own one too, just for the sake of having a near historically accurate made ninja in my collection

[ransomechua]

That's one sweeeeeeeet ninja. Well worth the money, I say.

I love all that research too.

Ran

[Skotty]

Hi,

now THIS is what i call a ninja! Very good work!
I wish i could get one of these.
Thanks for the great explanation.


by the way:
I can't understand, why people are doing bright red, white, blue or pink ninjas

These are assassins, who take care NOT to be seen. So why should they
take bright colors?

It's always a big laugh when a blue ninja is trying to sneak up on his enemy in a green forest.

bye
Skotty

[breakersrevenge]

A small history lesson and a great review.

Thanks

I want one!

[Good Duck]

Originally Posted by Skotty

Hi,

now THIS is what i call a ninja! Very good work!
I wish i could get one of these.
Thanks for the great explanation.


by the way:
I can't understand, why people are doing bright red, white, blue or pink ninjas

These are assassins, who take care NOT to be seen. So why should they
take bright colors?

It's always a big laugh when a blue ninja is trying to sneak up on his enemy in a green forest.

bye
Skotty

Kids like bright colors.

[bjones833]

I like bright colors. I'm not a kid, just a simpleton.

[Alyasha]

Neato Fig and Awesome info. Thanks for sharing.

[dandid]

Hunterpig custom ninja can be found here too

http://www.ioffer.com/i/38538586

[Hollowpoint]

Great figure and documentary. Thanks for sharing.

[mgbb]

Hunterpig's Ninja work is probably the finest that I ever seen. You are lucky to have one. I cannot agree more to you that the stock Ninja figures in the market are not even close to this one. Thanks for sharing!

[kokwei]

hey....very impress on your ninja warrior are u work on ur own?

all this are design by urself? very nice job!
Thanks for sharing!

[tony_b38]

Wow that is 1 sweet looking figure u have there !

[dai-low]

that's a nice fun review, esp. like the "flash bomb" pic. 1:6 ninjas not really me thing but I can see why you're happy with your purchase

[itsonlytoy]

nice ninja

[S.W.A.T]

Love they way the mask sits perfectly on his face thats awsom

[deoxyrna]

Hunterpig's ninjas are awesome!

[W@sh]

Great ninja.

[tolleyo]

Wow incredible history lesson along with awesome review!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to share!!