Nippon Army Ready To Invade Korea

Three divisions with a total of 6 small samurai units, 7 ashigaru spear units, 5 ashigaru bow units, 6 ashigaru matchlock units, and 2 samurai cavalry units.

All the samurai figures are Perrys, and all the ashigaru figures and samurai cavalry are Old Glory. Most of the command figures are Perrys.

A group photo of the Joseon army will follow. On the gaming front, my buddy who bought my ECW army is having a TYW game using those figures this Friday. Will post photos and a report of the game.

Old Glory Samurai Cavalry With Perry Sashimono

10 of the figures were already painted a long time ago, but added another 10, and also Perry metal sashimono - along with Perry decals from the Kato Kiyomasa set.

Since Old Glory cavalry normally comes in sets of 10 figures, based a couple for each unit on singles to have an even frontage when in two ranks.

Paired a figure each from the older completed ones with the newer ones to make them blend in better. Some of the older figures had a stronger (dirtier) Minwax stain.

The Samurai army is pretty much ready for invading Korea. Plan to take a "family portrait" of all the units next. 

Pegasus Bridge - Chain of Command

Play-tested my buddy's Pegasus Bridge game using Chain of Command today. He'll be hosting it a Enfilade in May. Enjoyed the game - particularly as two of the players are well-versed with the rules. Although I only play the rules when others host it, and this not often, I think I've actually picked up most of the core/basic rules. My buddy, the host, and I ran the Germans. He's recreated the table using scratch-built buildings and terrain to match the actual historical ones as close as possible.

The initial "Patrol" phase lock down of units is lot easier to visualize using a cuople of laser beams.

This was the third time the others played this scenario (my first time), and it ended up a British victory after a few German units had been eliminated, and the British still holding the nearside of the bridge.

The bridge is from Sarissa.

The view from the Germans' side.

British Airborne in cover in the center of the table.

More of the British Airborne on the opposite side of the road.

I had some really good rolls during shooting - lots of 6's and 5's.

A lot of smoke was laid down by both sides.

The one hand-to-hand engagement during the game - on the British right flank. The Germans took heavy casaulties from their attack.

The was held in the historic building at Fort Steilacoom - the host is a member of the historical society there. He's actually on the hand-receipt for the buildings.

Well, it was a nice day - almost too nice weather to be inside, but as there are a lot of windows it was okay - plus there is supposed to sunny weather all next week too. Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all the best.

Perry Kato Kiyomasa

This is the Perry Kato Kiyomasa command pack - along with Perry decals for the set. The Perry website shows the banner on the right looking to be hand-painted. Thankfully, they came out with this decal set.

The helmet has decals that are for small sashimono, but work well for this. I may replace the spear shaft with brass rod as this one looks a bit "bendy."

The Perry website has the helmet's "court cap" painted silver with red suns, but there are examples of it black with these gold rings - which I thought looked a bit more menacing, and appropriate for the "Devil General."

Kato was one of three senior commanders during the Imjin War, and was known to have hunted tigers in Korea. He was one of the most warlike Samurai of the time - which says a lot in itself. He died in 1611, after being possibly poisoned by rivals.

Next up are some Old Glory mounted Samuria with spears - they'll also get Perry sashimono. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Perry Foot Samurai (Swords & Teppo) Completed

Added on the sashimono - note, two of the teppo assistant ashigaru don't have these. 

The designs include a few with the Kiyomasa, Shimazu, and Kobayakawa clans - all participants in the invasion of Korea. Others are based upon those from the Siege of Osaka scroll painting and other sources.

Mixed them up with the earlier yari samurai - kind of grouped per colors and designs a bit, for a somewhat more uniformed look.

Still need to finish up the Kato Kiyomasa figure with his flag bearers.

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP Update

Finished painting the figures themselves, but still need to work on their sashimono. Probably going with various examples like their previous yari brethren.

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP

Painted up the armor and lacing so far. Some of the lacing is a bit sketchy as the sculpting details were hard to make out.

Prior to the lacing the black basecoated figures were given a light drybrushing of bluish-grey to help define the details. Some of the armor was painted red, and some russet brown.

These will eventually join the Perry foot samurai with spears painted a very long time ago.

Imjin War Revisit Update

Completed basing the figures. Need to add sashimono to a couple of Ashigaru units once some decals from Perry arrive - also another pack of Korean bowmen. Still have some Perry foot Samurai to work on too.

Korean royal guardsmen and regular government bowmen. The guardsmen based on 20mm fender washers, and the regular bowmen based 3 figs per 40mm squared - same as the ones already in the collection.

Three of the Ashigaru spear units with sashimono painted with generic patterns - not based on any particular clan or unit.

Sashimono painted prior to attaching to the figures. One of my local gaming buddies gave me a bunch of these Warlord Games/Wargames Factory sashimono. The decals coming from Perry are for the Kiyomasa clan - hopefully they'll fit onto the plastic sashimono which are smaller than the Perry metal ones.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog again. Best wishes to you all.

Minwax Tudor Satin Sweatshop

Minwax sweatshop was opened this morning. 60 OG Ashigaru Yari; 50 OG Ashigaru Teppo; 30 OG Ashigaru Bows; 30 Perry Armored Koreans; and 12 Korean Bows. 

Need to work on the sashimono for the Ashigaru Yari guys - short 4 though. Have a few more Perry Korean Bows arriving soon too. Thanks for stopping by the sweatshop.

Old Glory Ashigaru Teppo

Picked these 50 figs up off of ebay thanks to one of my buddies giving me a head's up on them. A very basic block paint job - soon to be given a Minwax stain along with the previously painted figures. Yes, Amazon delivered a can of Tudor Satin stain today!

Planning on a large Minwax staining production line tomorrow on the 180 or so figures in the queue.

Perry Joseon Korean Shields

Used the image on the Perry website as a guide. Gave the shields a wash of sepia ink to help define the details before painting the gaudy colors per the guide.

I think these would have been more for ceremonial purposes than for actual warfare, but they are eye-catching.

Perry Joseon Korean Armored Infantry - WIP +1

Just a quick update on the Perry Korean armored infantry. Finished block painting the figures, but still need to paint up the shields for the swordsmen.

A can of Minwax Tudor Satin stain should be arriving in the next day or two, to stain these guys and the previous Old Glory Ashigaru and Perry Korean bowmen. After these, there a few Perry Samurai to finish up the project - at least for the time being. Thanks again for checking out the blog.