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Miniatures Adventure => Adventures in the Far East => Topic started by: Papierschnitzel on August 03, 2017, 06:49:15 AM

Title: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 03, 2017, 06:49:15 AM
Interested in Samurai boats? Then this might be of interest for you  :)

A friend of mine pointed me to a book in the Osprey series and after reading it I thought I give it a try making some boats. I wanted to make a kind of modular paper model set with 3 sizes of boats, that should allow to build the typical boats useable for gaming. Making it paper model will make it very affordable and let you build any size fleet quite fast.

The small boats would represent small vessel, like fishing boats or traveling from land to boat or boat to boat.

The medium boats could be used as kobaya for example. Fast lean and versatile ships for scouting and moving troops efficiently.

The big boats could be used as sekibune (pointed bow) and atakebune (blunt bow). They would represent the big boat(s) of your fleet.

As usual my work process involves making 3D prototypes first.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/total_ships.png)

I then started working on white prototypes. It took a while until I got the shape right.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC07150.jpg)

Each of the sizes comes in the two versions: pointed and blunt bow.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC07147.jpg)

Detachable super structures will turn the boat into what it is in the end. Here the kobaya style boat is upgraded with small shield walls.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC07159.jpg)

The large sekibune hull is fitted with the "house" block.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC07154.jpg)

This show the sizes relative to each other ...
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC07161.jpg)

Next I work on the texturing to make it all come to life!

Chris
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Vagabond on August 03, 2017, 09:05:15 PM
Looks good so far, another interesting project.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 04, 2017, 06:07:10 AM
Thanks Vagabond!

Today I want to show you how the medium kobaya boats turned out with textures.

The blunt bow hull version without and with "dirt" texture layer. I find the weathering effect makes them look used and weather beaten. On the inside hull wall I have originally made frames (clean version) but was told that the Japanese did not build boats that way. That is why I then adapted the texture to the historically correct version on the weathered boat. I have left the original version too as alternate option  :)
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07235.jpg)

And then the pointed bow hull version. I have also added the transversal beam in the bow section. Not sure what it is, but I am guessing it is for anchoring or towing the boat...
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07236.jpg)

Optionally you can add this super structure. It is a kind of shield wall for the men in the boat to hide behind. Imagine Samurai archers getting ready for attack!
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07237.jpg)

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC07172.jpg)

So this is what the assembled versions look like.

This is the easy version. Much faster to build and great for placing minis!
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07239.jpg)

The full cutout framework version takes a little more time to build but looks really great.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07238.jpg)

I even weathered the waterline! Water, algae and clams have their effect during the years  :)
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07240.jpg)

Hope you've enjoyed it this far. Going to work on the big boats now.

Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 04, 2017, 09:15:07 AM
Thanks Scurv! They will be available on http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/9531/Papierschnitzel (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/9531/Papierschnitzel) but it will take a little while more. Need to tackle the big boats and then instructions etc. I expect it to be release ready end of this month.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Captain Blood on August 04, 2017, 10:07:55 AM
They look really great.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: tomrommel1 on August 07, 2017, 08:41:37 AM
absolutely gorgeous
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: rumacara on August 08, 2017, 09:21:33 PM
Very well done. :-* :-*
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Hupp n at em on August 08, 2017, 09:46:21 PM
These are excellent, really nice work.  :)  Not a paper model guy, but they'll make for some nice templates/guides should I decide to scratchbuild some.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 09, 2017, 10:11:28 AM
These are excellent, really nice work.  :)  Not a paper model guy, but they'll make for some nice templates/guides should I decide to scratchbuild some.

The outlines are vector format so you can scale them to any scale you want! Even print them at A3 or larger paper format  :)

For the big boats I wanted to adapt according to feedback I got for the stern section. It required a little geometry change and redo of the unfold but here is a first look at the white test build of an atakebune! (Also the small boats done  :))

Should be enough space for lots of Samurai on deck  :D
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07246.jpg)

Now on to texturing that big baby!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: nic-e on August 09, 2017, 04:54:27 PM
Really nice! I always love boats in games, even if it's just as set dressing.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 20, 2017, 08:51:06 AM
WIP pics for the first textured big boat: the Atakebune version  :)

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07253.jpg)

And here with a little fleet ...

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07254.jpg)

Next up is the dirt/weathering layers and the pointed bow Sekibune version!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: randycarter on August 25, 2017, 08:08:10 PM
Definetly amazing, great job!  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 27, 2017, 07:06:06 PM
Thank you Randy.

I have completed the weathered build of the super structure ... and added a variation to the little house (esp for the sekibune version).
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07388.jpg)

The deck thingies are removeable, for safe storage. I just put them into the super structure box  :D
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07389.jpg)

This project is almost done. Need to build a weathered hull and then start the final checks and make instructions.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: DintheDin on August 27, 2017, 07:21:22 PM
Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 29, 2017, 08:37:39 AM
You are welcome!

With the medium boats I just glued the flags in place. But for storage it would be better if I could remove the flags. So for the big boats I took the time to create flag holders that I could insert and remove the flags.

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07393.jpg)

So now the Atakebune looks like this
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07392.jpg)

Now I am able to switch clans  as desired :D
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 29, 2017, 08:34:08 PM
Thank you Scurv  :)

I wanted to know how many 1" base minis fit on the big ship. So I tried it  :D

I count 75! And that is without the interior or lower deck space!!! Should be enough for gaming?

Bow view ...
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07397.jpg)

... and stern view.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07398.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 30, 2017, 06:16:30 AM
I am thinking about 3D often but not sure if my time has come for it. I think the cost for printing the models I do in paper would be much more in 3D printing, no?

My take is, for making lots of modular stuff go paper. When doing high detail models, go 3D printing.

And what is this anyway  :D The stave church in Norway on wheels! Actually I have done sketches for a Viking village in the design of the stave church. So that could come after I have completed this set ... would have to think about the whole wheels thing! For 30mm figures it would be sooo huge!!!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on August 31, 2017, 02:06:56 PM
I'll let you know when I hop on the 3D printing train then  :)

In the meantime I have started building my first white prototype of a sail!
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07405.jpg)

And then added rope texture for the deck and play around with paper grappling hooks.
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC07406.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on September 04, 2017, 06:04:22 PM
Almost ready for release. Doing the last checks etc.

Here is a pic of one model that I manually upgraded with rigging. The ship and sail is paper of course. The rigging is with what I could gather from the sowing box of my better half :-)

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC07452.jpg)

Also made grappling hooks out of paper and then embellished them with some "ropes"
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC07454.jpg)

Finally a shot with some Asian Fantasy paper minis
(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DSC07455.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Vagabond on September 04, 2017, 06:50:56 PM
You have made a really good job of these and should be pleased with yourself. Congratulations.

As an aside I can see why the Japanese were not known as great sailors with ships like these. Noah's arc probably had greater seaworthiness.

Cheers
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on September 04, 2017, 08:55:55 PM
You have made a really good job of these and should be pleased with yourself. Congratulations.

As an aside I can see why the Japanese were not known as great sailors with ships like these. Noah's arc probably had greater seaworthiness.

Cheers

Yep, that's not what they were famous for. Still in their own crazy way I am starting to love these weird ships!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on September 06, 2017, 05:08:22 PM
The boats are live! And to celebrate I have added a -30% sale for all my sets until the end of the month :) Enjoy!

Get them here: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/220802/Samurai-Fleet-Builder (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/220802/Samurai-Fleet-Builder)

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/images/SFB_promo.jpg)

Also if you are interested, I have written a little article explaining how I added the sail/rigging. You can read it here: http://www.papierschnitzel.com/rigging-the-sekibune/ (http://www.papierschnitzel.com/rigging-the-sekibune/)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Juxt on September 07, 2017, 10:14:09 AM
Superb!  I've downloaded it and started building the blunt ended medium ship straight away  :)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Juxt on September 07, 2017, 05:08:37 PM
Lovely kit, it's the first paper model I've made in the last 25 years and I can really see the appeal.  Quick question for you paper veterans out there- I've made the medium kobaya, and the top edge of the hull is a little messy, where 3-4 cut layers of paper meet up. Any tips for getting areas like this sharp and neat? Cheers.
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on September 07, 2017, 08:19:04 PM
Lovely kit, it's the first paper model I've made in the last 25 years and I can really see the appeal.  Quick question for you paper veterans out there- I've made the medium kobaya, and the top edge of the hull is a little messy, where 3-4 cut layers of paper meet up. Any tips for getting areas like this sharp and neat? Cheers.

I do two things. I align the edges on the top while the glue is still wet and I can move the parts a bit. And if necessary (with the inner walls) I dry fit first and then trim if the part is too "high" and would not align.

Then the only thing to watch out for is to color all areas that could shine through white. So the bottom outside I color black or blue or dark brown. The inside I color in wood color.

And finally thanks for your support!  :-*
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Juxt on November 15, 2017, 03:42:36 PM
Just thought you'd like to see this mate,  I made a wooden version of your small boat model from veneer strips, then moulded it and cast it in resin to give a better surface for painting.  Such a great paper model to work from :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/juxtimon/IMG_1108_zpsb5fz3u52.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/juxtimon/media/IMG_1108_zpsb5fz3u52.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: DintheDin on November 15, 2017, 06:14:16 PM
But this is really amazing!!!  :-*
And shows how a great idea can be fertilized and developed further!
Inspiring! Hats off to both of you! Cheers!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Patrice on November 16, 2017, 10:49:16 AM
 :o Ooooh I had missed this thread!

Very nice boats, and inspiring to make more! :-*
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on November 17, 2017, 07:19:52 AM
WOW! I love it. That's a great looking build. And it works well with your scenery.

Now make one of the big boats!!!  :D
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Juxt on November 17, 2017, 02:59:16 PM
thanks guys :)

Papierschnitzel- I'm trying to justify making one of the larger ones, but that would mean making a whole new board to play on... hmmm, I do really want to make a ship though  ???
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on November 18, 2017, 08:13:45 AM
That would have to be an open sea gaming table with lots of ships or some port setting.

But no pressure  :D Only if you ever build a ship, you have to show us!!!
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Patrice on November 18, 2017, 02:33:48 PM
I'm trying to justify making one of the larger ones, but that would mean making a whole new board to play on...

You don't really need a different board. A large blue tarp can be effective for sea. You just need to make strips of coastal terrain to put between your usual terrain and this "sea", and then you can play large ship movements along the coast - and on open sea if the table and tarp are larger.

Example (for 14th C. European medieval):
(http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/sk/20vloaz/DSC07597.JPG)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on November 20, 2017, 08:50:01 AM
Great idea! ... and great table!!! I think I have to get one of these blue tarps now  :D
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: Papierschnitzel on December 16, 2017, 08:56:33 AM
I got asked to take a top down photo of the rigged sekibune. There was a close encounter during the shoot!  :D

(http://www.papierschnitzel.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DSC07894.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: DintheDin on December 16, 2017, 09:26:30 AM
Hahaaa! A friendly monster! I love it!  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)
Post by: WuZhuiQiu on December 16, 2017, 07:45:57 PM
Amazing work, Juxt! With a suitable royalty to Papierschnitzel, would you consider selling some resin boats?

Just thought you'd like to see this mate,  I made a wooden version of your small boat model from veneer strips, then moulded it and cast it in resin to give a better surface for painting.  Such a great paper model to work from :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/juxtimon/IMG_1108_zpsb5fz3u52.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/juxtimon/media/IMG_1108_zpsb5fz3u52.jpg.html)