Given the inspiration that Akira Kurosawa's films and the lore of samurai warriors have meant for the Star Wars franchise, it's no surprise that affinity between Japan's feudal warriors and the galactic epic has produced some truly awesome collaborations. Most recently these have included Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of popular characters, truly awesome fanart, and even Star Wars themed Japanese coats. Now a professional painter is adding to that list with traditional ink warrior portraits of Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper entourage.

Star Wars Scrolls: Imperial Army

The ink paintings are drawn by Kojo Masayuki, a professional artist and one with a talent for Bujinga, or traditional Japanese warrior portraits. They were a type of ukiyo-e print that depicted the battle scenes and the heroics of early Japan's warriors. In keeping with the code of the Samurai, according to IT Media, the military men in these pictures are not simply warriors or combatants, but those who have committed themselves to being "prepared" for all that standing on the battlefield means. Kojo says he captures that preparation and shows it in his paintings, and notes that one can observe the kind of preparation that separates true warriors from simple fighters in the epic Star Wars series.

This installment, which will see the paintings drawn live at the IDC Otsuka Furniture Shinjuku Showroom, favors only the warriors of The Empire, but perhaps that's all the more fitting as Darth Vader's helmet is inspired by the Japanese kabuto. Even cooler is that each painting comes with a corresponding title written in kanji that correspond to the characters. For instance, the "堕悪巣俾荼" above Darth Vader's print can be phonetically read as "Darth Vader", but the meaning can be interpreted as "servant in pain who fell to the web of sin". "風暴兵" for Storm Troopers can be read as "violent wind soldiers".

Star Wars Scrolls: Darth Vader (servant in pain who fell to the web of sin)

Star Wars Scrolls: Imperial Storm Troopers

At 198,000 yen ($1,753.42 USD), they obviously are meant for Star Wars fans with some extra cash on hand, but they will be sold at the Shinjuku Showroom on December 3rd and 16th, with each selling limited to ten sets. Those in Japan that aren't looking to buy, however, can witness a live painting performance by Kojo on December 11th, scheduled for 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, free of admission.