Cheers guys,
Sorry lack of progress on this.....I recently had a play on Shogun 2, and having NEVER been beaten by a total war game I was a little concerned that I was getting rolled over and anally violated every game on legendary difficulty within 10 turns. Once I get a bee in my bonnet about something I MUST find out a solution! Suffice to say I have made it to turn 20 AND have a healthy looking empire with ninjas a plenty causing havoc. For those interested the trick is to avoid samurai early on and focus on masses of peasants.
So I have cracked it and I can now return to painting this bald headed wonder.