Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Adventures in the Far East => Topic started by: Silent Invader on May 14, 2020, 08:49:04 PM
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INDEX
P.1 Village planning
P.2 Mon for the forces
P.2 The Seven Samurai minis WIP
P.3 Village layout WIP
P.3 First batch of bandits WIP
I’ve a new project on the go, which is a late 16thC Japanese rural village. Obviously (obviously!) I have The Seven Samurai village as a starting point.
The top plan is from an analysis of the movie while the bottom plan is from a scenario in Wargames Illustrated No.188 of May 2003:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-140520191424-464472265.jpeg)
I’m not planning the full village (nor am I setting it in the mountains) and while the scenario suggestion has all the elements, it is perhaps a tad too small. The village will be on a big base with a central track and fenced gardens to each property. To kick things off, I’ve bought a few of the lovely resin buildings from OSHIROmodelterrain, namely 4 houses and a rice store. I also have a toilet to add and I’m contemplating a few more houses and the smithy. If I add the mill it will be as a separate terrain piece.
This isn’t a layout I’m committed to but it gives an idea (I realise it’s not clear where the access - attack - points between the properties would be):
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-140520191424-464481275.jpeg)
I have a few questions:
1) Would the outdoor toilet/s (for collection of waste for use as fertiliser) be a community resource and would I be right to place it/them at the edge of the village close to the paddy fields?
2) Would the grain store be a community resource and would it be located within the village, at the edge of the village or outside towards the paddy fields?
3) I believe I’ve read that the residence of the village headman would have a verandah, which was a symbol of status. If I simply added a verandah to a large house would that be enough to create such a residence? Presumably this residence is located towards the centre of the village.
4) Would such a village have a straight through-road or would there be a central area, where people could gather?
5) Would such a small village have a religious shrine?
6) Is there anything I’m missing?
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I will be following your progress closely, I have the same thing planned for this year but in 15mm.
This is the movie set which was purpose built to aid filming.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/5822-140520212435.jpeg)
You can see the veranda on the headman's house.
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Thanks very much Rob, that is extremely useful in very many ways 8)
Regarding the headman’s house, not only a verandah but it’s also significantly larger than the other properties (with an attic level?). I wonder how historically correct the size is, or whether it was overstated for cinematic purposes.
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I am sure there are a few old style villages around in Japan, that you might be able to pull some ideas from. I'll do a look myself.
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I am sure there are a few old style villages around in Japan, that you might be able to pull some ideas from. I'll do a look myself.
Thanks. I did find photo reports of ‘traditional’ villages, which are beautifully kept, but unfortunately I couldn’t discern all the answers I’m looking for. :)
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Annnnnd he's off.... ;)
Looking forward to seeing it come together :)
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Annnnnd he's off.... ;)
Looking forward to seeing it come together :)
It’s another village project :D (And I have others in the queue ;))
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A solid start :)
1) Would the outdoor toilet/s (for collection of waste for use as fertiliser) be a community resource and would I be right to place it/them at the edge of the village close to the paddy fields?
Yes they would although the local lord would usually have first dibs (given that the people living in the villages were his vassals/tenants). Now, I’m not completely sure about this but an educated guess would be that the ‘humanure’ would smell less than it does today because of the lack of processed food, placing them in between plots (two houses sharing one) would be acceptable I reckon.
2) Would the grain store be a community resource and would it be located within the village, at the edge of the village or outside towards the paddy fields?
Again, the lord would have first dibs and there would be a collection of rice from each village (good idea for a scenario). It would be communal as most of the village effort was in rice production. From what I’ve seen, the location was generally behind the houses/plots with the rice paddies extending behind and to the sides of the village.
Here’s the wiki entry on ‘Koku’
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koku (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koku)
3) I believe I’ve read that the residence of the village headman would have a verandah, which was a symbol of status. If I simply added a verandah to a large house would that be enough to create such a residence? Presumably this residence is located towards the centre of the village.
Yes, generally it would and as you say, it was a status symbol with various uses (making petitioners wait outside etc). For the smaller villages it would be in the rough centre, for larger ones it could be set back from the road and potentially have a wall round it but I think that’s probably going to grand for your project.
Adding a veranda would potentially work.
It’s also a good reminder to finish off the headsman’s house master I started ages ago lol
4) Would such a village have a straight through-road or would there be a central area, where people could gather?
Generally it would be a straight road (or a ‘Y’ junction) and for smaller villages, no real open space for gatherings would be needed. Any messages from the local lord would either be given straight to the headsman to be passed on or if in times of war or emergency the rider/runner could just shout it whilst going through onto the next village. Larger villages could have a notice board but I think yours is too small for that. You could still get one though :D
5) Would such a small village have a religious shrine?
Potentially, but it wouldn’t be that close to the village itself (in general) For this sort of ground scale, the village at one end and the shrine at the other would do.
6) Is there anything I’m missing?
Depends what you’re after ;D
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Well from my experience having to walk thru paddy fields in Afghanistan, would say no.
They do smell just as bad then, As they do today.
Got to factor in all the parasites, bacteria and other fun things people have rolling around in their guts. Now lets factor in people who might not always have access to the best hygiene and or cleanest of drinking water to.
I mean that was one of the 3 distinct smells that brings me back to Afghanistan, the smell of human and animal waste. The 3rd being burning waste.
Also I'll point out that is one thing the old Korean war vets I talk to mention, was the smell of the fields in the summer heat.
But if you live around it all the time, you just get used to it. :D
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Wow, I can't believe you are starting another major project, whilst still finishing off the last one......... Oh its Silent Invader ......of course I can believe it. lol lol lol lol
This looks great already. I don't often visit this board but I'm glad I popped over today.
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There's a skansen, to use the Czech term, just outside Takayama. Well worth visiting.
https://www.google.com/travel/things-to-do/see-all?g2lb=2502548%2C4215767%2C4258168%2C4260007%2C4270442%2C4274032%2C4291318%2C4305595%2C4306835%2C4317915%2C4328159%2C4329288%2C4356223%2C4364503%2C4366684%2C4367953%2C4369397%2C4373848%2C4385383%2C4386664%2C4270859%2C4284970%2C4291517%2C4316256%2C4356899&hl=en&gl=th&un=1&otf=1&dest_mid=%2Fm%2F01wl13&dest_state_type=sattd&dest_src=ts&tcfs=EgsKCS9tLzAxd2wxMw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJ9ZqCw7XpAhWg6nMBHSJzCmUQ69EBKAMwAHoECBcQCQ#ttdm=36.050782_137.455591_9&ttdmf=%252Fm%252F0cqf8j
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That’s a ton of usefulness James, thank you very much 8)
Interesting point about poo. I did once read that we Europeans smell ‘sour’ to the unacquainted, because of the amount of dairy in our diets. Though I think I’m going to need a few more Kawaya :D
Kura positioning all makes sense 8)
You’re right that I’d prefer not to have a wall around the headman’s house. Also, if you’re making one that’s not too grand then perhaps I should wait ..... ;D
Btw, I found another photo (thanks to RobH for the inspiration) of the movie set that shows the ‘big house’ at the centre of the village.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-150520091807.jpeg)
Not having a wall would be in keeping with the movie, though I’ve changed tack slightly by going for a rural village rather than a mountain village.
Regarding open space within the village, I’m wondering if that was a device for the movie so as to facilitate the fight scenes. That said, IIRC the more recent 13 Assassins lacked such a clearing, with the fighting being along the straight through-road. I’m tempted to go with the straight road, as a third access point could be a minor thoroughfare to the Kura and to the paddy fields.
I think I read somewhere that you’re contemplating making a rural religious shrine, which if so I will likely add at some later stage as an adjacent piece (like the mill).
Ta!
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There's a skansen, to use the Czech term, just outside Takayama. Well worth visiting.
Thank you, I’ll take a good look at the pictures :D
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Thanks for the other comments too, though I don’t plan on adding ‘smell-o-rama’ to the scenic set up. ;) And yes Gary, I’m at it again lol
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Scratch and sniff? lol
Thanks for the other comments too, though I don’t plan on adding ‘smell-o-rama’ to the scenic set up. ;) And yes Gary, I’m at it again lol
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13 Assassins (great movie) featured a single street, but it was a pretty wide street:
(http://thatshelf.com/wp-content/uploads//2010/09/13-Assassins.jpg)
Not that much smaller than the village centre in 7 Samurai. For a rural village I don't think you need to clearly define what is street and what is not.
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A very good point 8)
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All depends on where you want the action to take place. Only want it in the center of town. Then one road should be enough. But I believe the reason they made multiple entrance into the village. Was so that each individual or duo could be the star of their own little drama.
So I say have a least two or three foot paths to allow for flanks attacks and such. :D
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Yep 8) Little things like the location of the toilets and rice store will all tequire access points. :)
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I'm looking forward to another fantastic build. I imagine that the Mad Lord is prepping his checkbook as I write this lol
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I'm looking forward to another fantastic build. I imagine that the Mad Lord is prepping his checkbook as I write this lol
;)
Seriously though Steve, this is another fascinating project which I shall be following closely. :-*
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While waiting for my Perry minis to arrive, I’ve been contemplating Mon for the various forces I’d like to use in my entirely fictitious project. Not all forces will actually have the Mon on its minis but the graphic will still be an interesting addition to character cards.
But first an acknowledgement to Andy of the Tiny Hordes wargaming blog: he posted about using Star Wars motifs for various Mon and this amused me so much that I’m going to replicate the approach.
See here:
https://tinyhordes.com/ronin-warbands-bushi-and-ikko-ikki/ (https://tinyhordes.com/ronin-warbands-bushi-and-ikko-ikki/)
These are the ones that I plan to use and why:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-140520191424-46450908.jpeg)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-140520191424-464492134.jpeg)
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lol
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lol
It’s alright, no one will know .....
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Yes! Do it! :D
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Yes! Do it! :D
Shush! It’s a secret lol ;)
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Dang, now you got my mind going. Down that rabbit hole. Trying to figure out, how i would paint the separatis, and Rebellion forces.
Maybe do diffrent bands of rebels based on the diffrent colored flights. Red, Green, Blue, Gold etc... lol
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Dang, now you got my mind going. Down that rabbit hole. Trying to figure out, how i would paint the separatis, and Rebellion forces.
Maybe do diffrent bands of rebels based on the diffrent colored flights. Red, Green, Blue, Gold etc... lol
lol
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A bit of progress. I’ve started a sculpting streak and so modified/converted the 7 Perry minis (6 from the robed Samurai pack and 1 from the Armed Peasants):
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-280520101723-46723661.jpeg)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-280520101723-467221195.jpeg)
Gorobei uses the bow and quiver from an Ashigura Archer (thanks James), Schichiroji is lacking a spear but the pose doesn’t suit one, while Kikuchiyo’s sword is from a plastic pole weapon (it does have a curve, it’s just not visible at this angle).
I’ve also settled on a village layout for my 5x3 table (white splotches are trees, Green are hills):
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-280520102344.jpeg)
If (when) I get a bigger table, the village will be easily extended.
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Lovely characters. :-*
I assume you have already found this:
https://d9nvuahg4xykp.cloudfront.net/725899241441034866/-5458482287819824918.jpg (https://d9nvuahg4xykp.cloudfront.net/725899241441034866/-5458482287819824918.jpg)
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A great start, really looking forward to watching this progress
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Thanks both.
Rob: I hadn’t seen that before and it’ll be very useful for colours. Obviously I haven’t matched the clothes but I did alter the face/hair to approximate to the character. :)
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Very nice conversions. ;D
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Great start!
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Good progress on the figures :)
Might I suggest that the road has a slight curve to it, to add some interest?
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Great looking project Steve
8)
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Thanks folks :D
Might I suggest that the road has a slight curve to it, to add some interest?
Yes, you might :D
Thanks for reminding me. I included curves in the 13th and 17thC England villages and meant to include one here. Must have become so wrapped up with the lovely resin buildings that I forgot. :o :D
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An update on the village layout. The resin has all arrived, meaning the layout can be checked in 3D to include the ‘along the street’ sight lines (which demonstrate the importance of incorporating the slight bend).
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-030620183932-4679160.jpeg)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-030620183932-467901876.jpeg)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-030620183932-46788368.jpeg)
There’s also the watermill that’ll be on a separate tile to one side.
All of the buildings are by OSHIROmodelterrain and are cracking. I’m looking forward to assembling (the larger ones that need it) and painting them. 8)
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can't wait to see more
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This is gonna look great, may need to 'borrow' a few ideas :D
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Looks promising :)
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I have the minis to make the following forces (they won’t be played as these straight units but I much prefer a systematic approach to miniature accumulation):
7 ronin (with katana, 1 x yumi, 1 x nodachi)
12 villagers (with bamboo spear)
19 DEFENDERS
1 bandit leader (with katana)
1 bandit deputy (with naginata)
5 bandits (with katana)
5 bandits (with naginata)
6 bandits (with teppo)
12 bandits (with yari)
30 BANDITS
I’ve made some progress with the first batch of bandits. To arrive at a mix that looks sufficiently ‘banditry’ and without duplications, I’ve swapped around quite a few heads and weapons. Only the two bandit command will have full head helmets while the minis in straw cloaks will all be villagers. I’m also repurposing some monks.
6 bandits with swords (including the leader):
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-110620132946-468881547.jpeg)
6 bandits with spears:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/46/2031-110620132946-468901868.jpeg)
When painted, 7 Samurai versus 12 bandits is probably enough to start testing the rules.
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Splendid, very bandity :D
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Nice bandits!
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Thanks folks. They’re now in the painting queue for next week.
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Wow, you are mister million miniature-games for me. The next one. Will you use FFoL again? Or something different. Great board so far, looking forward for the next step.
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Wow, you are mister million miniature-games for me. The next one. Will you use FFoL again? Or something different. Great board so far, looking forward for the next step.
You’re too kind :D
The minis are still in the queue as I’m currently painting ECW.
Rules wise, a FFOL: Bigger Battles game seems the most likely.
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Would love to know if theres an update?
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Not as yet I’m afraid. Though coincidentally, earlier today I was discussing how I need to paint my Samurai. It’s not an abandoned project, just treading water behind other priorities. :)