Hunting Samurai

Hi Everyone,

Here is my review of De Tara Hunting Samurai. A 54 mm mounted figure kit of a Samurai hunting a deer, cast in white metal with a resin base.

Detail of the release:

Title: Hunting Samurai

Manufacturer: De Tara Collection

Scale: 54 mm

Sculptor: ?

Material: 32 white metal parts, one resin base

Order from: My grey army

The De Tara Hunting Samurai is a superbly sculpted 54 mm scale mounted figure kit depicting a half-armoured samurai pursuing a sika deer (nihonjika日本鹿). Presented in a sturdy green rectangular cardboard box, the kit features a colour photograph of the fully painted model on its cover. Inside, the components are carefully protected with bubble wrap.

The dynamic Samurai figure wears a traditional *eboshi* (烏帽子) hat and grips a bow in his left hand. He is equipped with a tachi sword and ebira arrow case and arrows. His Kura  saddle is furnished with an animal pelt. Captured mid-chase, the samurai raises his arm to maintain balance on horseback while hunting his fleeing prey. The energetic pose, historical costume, and finely rendered details make this an impressive subject for collectors and figure painters alike.

Here are the cast parts: 

Parts View

Head with Eboshi  View

Body, Right arm and Armour View

Horse, Saddle with Animal Pelt, Abumi with Fur Shoes View

Horse Abumi with Fur Shoes, Reins, Cords and Tassels View

Deer, Antler, Bow, Ebira Arrow Case and Tachi Sword View

Base and Parts guide View

Final thoughts:

The De Tara mounted Samurai hunting a deer is a rare and magnificent kit, beautifully sculpted with a wealth of historical detail. The miniature model is based on the actual historical practice of shika no tsukai (deer hunting) or large-scale military hunting exercises (Inuoi or Kasagake) practiced by the Samurai. The model captures an important aspect of feudal Japanese military culture.

During periods of peace, Samurai relied on hunting expeditions to refine their archery, tracking, horsemanship, and mounted-combat skills. Deer hunting also served a practical purpose: deerskin was in high demand and used to make lacquered samurai armor, flexible components of kendo armour, armguards, and sword-handle grips.

The kit features excellent overall metal castings and an impressive collection of well-researched parts. However, some components could benefit from cleaner casting and sharper detail, particularly the facial expression, ebira arrow case, and tachi sword. These limitations make it especially suited to experienced painters and modelers who enjoy refining and enhancing the sculpture.

Overall, this is a rare and characterful painter’s kit. Like other De Tara Samurai kits, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find, making it an appealing addition for collectors of historical miniatures and Japanese military subjects.

My Rating Summary:

The Japanese Deer

The Sika Deer: Japan’s Sacred and Adaptable “Plum Blossom Deer” - The Sika deer (*Cervus nippon*) is one of East Asia’s most distinctive and culturally significant mammals. Native to Japan, Taiwan, eastern China, Korea, and parts of Russia, this small to medium-sized deer is recognized by its elegant build, expressive face, and striking coat. Its name comes from *shika* (鹿), the Japanese word for “deer.” In Japan, it is called *nihonjika* (ニホンジカ or 日本鹿), meaning “Japan deer.” In Chinese, it is known as the“plum blossom deer,” a reference to the white spots on its back, which resemble plum blossoms.

During summer, the Sika deer’s coat is reddish-brown and covered with prominent white spots. In winter, the spots largely disappear as the coat becomes darker and thicker, although the rump and tail remain white. Its antlers are relatively sparsely branched and may grow up to 60 centimeters long. Sika deer also show considerable variation in size between subspecies, while males are generally larger than females.

Sika deer are native to much of East Asia, although their original range has contracted in some areas. Because of their adaptability, they have also been introduced to regions including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In these new environments, they can strongly influence vegetation and compete with native wildlife, making careful population management important.

Sacred Deer of Nara - During the feudal Japan Samurai warriors hunt Sika deer as a mix of military training, resource gathering, and ritual practice, though religious and cultural beliefs heavily shaped where and how they hunted.

Few animals are as closely connected with religious tradition as the Sika deer of Japan. In Shinto belief, deer are regarded as sacred messengers of the gods. According to local legend, the thunder deity Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara riding a white deer. This tradition helped establish the deer of Nara as revered spiritual beings.

More than 1,200 wild Sika deer live freely in Japan’s Nara Park, where they have been protected for over 1,300 years. Historically, killing one of these sacred deer was considered a serious crime punishable by death. Today, Nara’s deer are officially recognized as national natural monuments and living cultural assets.

Many visitors are fascinated by the deer’s unusual interaction with people. Some have learned to bow their heads when asking for, or receiving, *shika senbei*—special crackers sold for visitors to feed them. Although the bowing behavior is charming, it is best to remember that these are still wild animals and should be treated respectfully. 

Social Life and Behavior - Female Sika deer usually live in herds with their youngest offspring and sometimes juveniles from the previous year. Adult males are more often solitary, though they may occasionally gather in small groups. The breeding season, or rut, begins in autumn.

During this period, males establish territories and mark them with urine and other scent signals. They may fight fiercely using their antlers. Weaker males often remain at the edges of the breeding area, while dominant males gain access to females within their territories.

Males grow antlers annually, typically having 4 points as mature stags but occasionally up to 8 points. Antlers are narrow and swept back, rather than forward like those of the Japanese macaque. Sika are a medium-sized deer, with stags standing 70-95 cm at the shoulder and weighing 40-70 kg, while hinds are 50-70 cm tall and weigh 30-45 kg. The largest subspecies is the Manchurian Sika of mainland Asia, with the smallest being the Japanese sika of southern Japan.

Sika deer are most active from dusk through dawn. They are herbivores with a varied diet that can include more than a hundred plant species. Bamboo is particularly important in some populations and may make up as much as 80 percent of their food.

Deer in Japanese Art and Culture - For centuries, sika deer have been celebrated in Japanese art. They frequently appear in ukiyo-e woodblock prints, paintings, poetry, and decorative designs. Artists often portray them beside cherry blossoms or maple leaves—symbols of seasonal change and the fleeting nature of life.

Stags, with their branching antlers and graceful movements, have traditionally represented strength, beauty, and dignity. Unlike many Western cultures, where deer have often been viewed primarily as game animals, Japan has developed a deep cultural reverence for the Sika deer. This respect is rooted in Shinto beliefs, historical traditions, and artistic expression.

Nevertheless, reverence does not eliminate ecological challenges. In areas where deer populations become too large, they can damage forests, crops, and other vegetation. As a result, deer management in Japan focuses largely on population control and reducing environmental damage, although regulated hunting also occurs outside protected areas.

An Ecologically Important Species - The Sika deer remains both culturally treasured and ecologically influential. Its feeding habits can shape forest growth, alter plant communities, and affect other species. Outside Japan, introduced populations have created new environmental concerns, while also developing new cultural associations in their adopted homes.

From the sacred deer of Nara to the forests of distant continents, the Sika deer continues to capture human imagination. Its spotted coat, graceful antlers, remarkable adaptability, and deep connection to Japanese spirituality make it far more than an ordinary deer. It is a living symbol of Japan’s natural heritage—and a reminder of the complex relationship between wildlife, culture, and changing landscapes.

Eboshi

An Eboshi (烏帽子) is a type of hat traditionally worn by adult men during formal occasions in Japanese traditional dress from the Heian period to the modern era.

Initially, it was made of materials such as black-lacquered silk or hemp, but by the late Heian period, paper hardened with black lacquer replaced these materials. Commoners used woven hemp thread. The type of eboshi varied based on the formality of the attire and the wearer's social rank, with strict distinctions maintained. The eboshi is considered less formal than the kanmuri (冠) worn for court attire and was paired with informal wear from the Heian to Muromachi period. Some theories suggest its origin lies in the Chinese 烏帽.

 

Types of Eboshi

Tate-eboshi (立烏帽子)

A tall, stiff, upright cylindrical hat flattened from the sides. It was the most formal type of eboshi worn by palace nobles (kuge), and is still worn today by Shinto priests during formal ceremonies.

Nae-eboshi (萎烏帽子)

A soft, pliable, un-lacquered or lightly structured black cloth hat. It was typically worn by commoners, foot soldiers, and samurai (often worn under their kabuto helmets).

Kazaori-eboshi (風折烏帽子)

A "windswept" hat where the top portion is folded or bent over to one side. It was worn by lower-ranking courtiers, nobles, and military generals

Hikitate-eboshi (引立烏帽子)

A softer, semi-structured warrior variation of the nae-eboshi. It stood roughly 20 to 40 cm tall and was adapted for the samurai class.

Momi-eboshi (揉烏帽子)

Made of thin cloth, dyed with gallnuts or lightly lacquered for softness. Primarily worn by commoners and the general public for daily wear.

Tetsu-eboshi (鉄烏帽子)

Iron eboshi. Iron court cap. A surviving example, used by warrior-monk (sohei) Tanzō (湛増) of Kumano, which is preserved at Tōkei Shrine (闘鶏神社) in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. 

Ori-eboshi (折烏帽子)

Also called samurai-eboshi, this is a folded, creased style derived from taller court hats. It became a standard part of formal samurai attire. Modern-day Sumo referee wear this type.

Thank you for looking!