Jizai Okimono

I had the opportunity to see these amazing Japanese Jizai Okimono in person and move their incredible bug parts.  The life size metal bugs are intricately made of many small pieces assembled together with articulating legs, antennae and movable wings.  The copper colored wasp in the middle has a stinger that retracts into it's abdomen!

Jizai Okimono were created by the Samurai armor craftsmen and the art emerged in the late 1800's when the Samurai class was eliminated and the bearing of swords banned.