In Combat First Use the Bow then the Sword

Torii Suneemon is an expert with both the Yumi (bow) and Katana (Longsword), weapons that define the Samurai warrior.

As an expert archer, Torii Suneemon uses a variety of Yajiri (arrowheads) for different targets. For general combat the Togari-ya (simple point) is used, the deadly Karimata (split blade) or bowel ripper is best for unarmored enemies, while the unique scream of the Kabura-ya could be used to both signal allies and cause fear among enemies. Once he closes with the enemy Torii kills by using his fantastic Katana, the finest sword ever crafted.

Torii Suneemon is a metal Ral Partha piece from the 1970's, that I painted this month.

When Samurai's Raid AFR

 A simple raid on an unsuspecting village in the late 16th century leads to a bloody clash of Samurai and Ashigaru retainers.

Tom readies his raiding forces, while I prepare my Hojo defenders.

The raiders enter the village, they have already captured one "loot" site.

Hojo defenders rush forward to engage the raiders.

The raiders split up to find more loot.

Hojo open fire with no visible results.

                                              

The Hojo Samurai Tokima Seiji and Minaki Yoshio charge into combat while their less than brave ashigaru hang back.                       

For hand and to hand is the true way to test a Samurais skill with the katana.

Luck was with the Hojo Samurai and the battle is short and sweet

  For while both Hojo Samurai are seriously wounded, the kill three of the raiders. Soon the raiders heads will be presented to the daimyo. 

Meanwhile, three of the Hojo dispatch a lone raider who was attempting to flee with his loot.

Only one raider escaped with any loot which gave the superior numbers of the Hojo a marginal victory.

Real War is Messy

This begrimed, worn and battle-weary Samurai can never give up, only keep striking til death or victory is achieved.
 

Unlike the stylized art that prevails in Nippon this Samurai know that war is dirty, bloody and leaves one looking nothing like a beautiful warrior hero.

This Samurai has an additional secret, for behind the battle mask he is actually a she -Tomoe Cho a distant relative to the famous 12th century female Samurai hero Tomoe Gozen. Gozen now knows that while war is thrilling it is not a beautiful painting. 

Tomoe Cho is a plastic piece that I painted last week.

Ninja-the Dreaded Men in Black

Ninjas were the secret societies of assassins and spies of Medieval war rocked Japan. While specialists in killing and gathering secrets, they were not the all powerful super villains as portrayed modern movies and TV.

Trained in special combat tactics that included poisons, hidden blades, specialist weapons, night attacks, explosives and a large variety of martial arts, Ninjas were the Daimyos choice for those special assignments that were not suited for the Samurai followers of "Bushido" ("The Way of the Warrior" code of Samurai conduct).

  These are from Warlord Games for their "Test of Honor" game. I painted them in 2019.

 

Warrior Monks-Japanese Religious Power in the Waring States Period

For much of the Samurai Era known as the Waring States Period, Armies of Buddhis/Shinto warrior monks were a force to be reckoned with.

Rather armed with traditional weapons such as spears and sword or more exotic weapons like the tetsubo, an iron twohanded club with metal spikes, warrior monks added large numbers of experienced fanatics to many battles.

From the 10th to 16th centuries, the warrior monks from such groups as the Ikko-Ikki or White Lotus created armies of thousands of warrior monks

After centuries of power the warrior monks finely met there match in the great warlord Nobunaga Oda who destroyed their power in a series of major battle. By 1580, the warrior monks of Ikko-Ikki had been humbled, pacified and forced to sign a peace treaty-in blood. The long age of the warrior monks of Japan had come to a violent end.

                                  These are from Warlord Games for their "Test of Honor" game. I painted them in 2019.

 

 

Samurai Cavalry Archer-How to Kill from a Distance

Samurai were often trained to use a long bow (up to six feet long) from a the back of a galloping warhorse. It took years to obtain the skill necessary to to be effective with this form of attack, and these warriors were justifiably proud of their expertise.

To this day the sport of shooting at small targets from galloping horse back is still practiced in Japan.

 This is a plastic piece from Warlord Games that I painted in 2018.
 

Samurai Cavalry

Elite Samurai warriors charge into battle on their lightly armored war steeds.

Speed and agility are the hallmarks of Samurai combat, heavy armor such as worn by European knights was unheard of among Samurai be they on foot or mounted.

Standards with Clan Mon's worn on the back helped to identify friends from foes in the heat of combat.

Infantry vs Cavalry- who will win? Only combat skill will tell...

These are plastic pieces from Warlord Games that I painted in 2017.

Nippon Warriors

Warring States Uma-jirushi of Tokuyama Hideaki Samurai and Ashigru ready for battle.

Armed with bows and muskets wearing traditional armor, these warriors are ready to fight and die for their Daiymo

Command section and spearmen back up the bow and musketeers.

Higher ranking warriors often wear better armor.

Elite samurai like Saiki Hyobe are the best trained, equipped with the highest quality armor and weapons, and are supremely confident in the skills.

These are from Warlord Games for their "Test of Honor" game. I painted them in 2018.
 

Ashigaru Bow and Musket Men

Firepower, the long distance way to kill your enemy.

A vital component to any Samurai army of the Sengoku (Waring States) Period of the 15th and 16th centuries were the "Ashigaru" warriors.

While neither trained or armed as well as the noble Samurai warriors, these commoners often made up the lions share of troops of a Daiymo's army.

 These plastic figures are from Warlord Games "Test of Honor'' miniatures game that I painted in 2019.

Message Runner

Tosa Hidosa carries a critical message for his Lord.

Perhaps it will give the orders to win a battle or maybe it is just a shopping list... no matter Tosa will not fail in his mission.

Tosa is a 28mm metal piece from Reaper.

Katana Duel

Two samurai, Wakura Ori and Orgima Sumono, face off in that most traditional of duels-the katana sword fight. Armed with the finest steel blades Japanese sword masters could create, these two warriors know that the better skill will prevail as their swords will never fail. These two metal 25mm samurai are from Ral Partha, I painted them in the early 1980's.