You're right. The way I'm getting around that is the oriental buildings are part of an oriental garden in a stately home...recently become home to the Inscrutable One, leader of the Black Dragon Tong...and so everything is in miniature!
I was thinking the same thing, and bit my tongue. Those of who revere the name of Major General Tremorden Rederring have no compunctions of scale getting in the way of table efficiency!
Of course, that was before I saw your explanation, and 'yeah, that works.'

Handsome beasts. I recently picked up some resin Foo Dogs/Temple Lions at a martial art store. Much more expensive, heavy to transport, but think they'll stand up well. Most of the aquarium stuff is built with 'it'll be safe in water' in mind.
Though, again on second thought, at the price differences, you can carry several spares if replacements are needed.

Doug