My interest in this period was rekindled by two separate items I came across recently. First was the very impressive Samurai Castle(s) produced by Village Green and secondly by the new "Mix Pax" series of Samurai by 2 Dragon Productions. Although both the castle(s) and figures were of the high standards one expects from these firms, in order to do them justice in a review I needed more knowledge of the period. A nip into the local model shop and in their Osprey selection Men-at-Arms series; No 86 "Samurai Armies 1550-1615" (my luck was really in because it had been reduced to half price)! For enemies there are No 105 "The Mongols" and No 218 "Ancient Chinese Armies". There also in the Elite Series was; No 35 "Early Samurai 200-1550". A further source of vital information was Christopher Duffy's "Siege Warfare 1494-1660" ISBN 071008871X and for an authentic feel of the period, inspiration for scenarios and a really great read; James Clavell's book "Shogun", the TV series did not do it justice. ISBN 0340209178, published by Coronet Books. There is also the excellent series of books by Stephen Turnbull on the Samurai period, Samurai Warriors ISBN 071371767X being my favourite to date.
When I first gazed with awe on the early 15mm Japanese model castle and was informed by Steve Weeks that the originals had been made from wood and mud, I was impressed and intrigued. I'd seen the "Seven Samurai" (Yul Bryner's version came years later) and knew that gunpowder was around at that time plus I remembered something about cannon in "Shogun" (which I instantly started to re-read), so I could not understand why the walls were not built to provide a defence against the cannon balls. Research; a little talked about part of the hobby in these days of Army Lists and the like, took place. Prior to the arrival of a Portuguese ship in about 1542 with the first firearms, the main missile weapon had been the bow. However to counter the danger from fire, the wooden walls of the castles had been covered in layers of plaster with steep roofs of black tiles. This is the "Early Samurai Castle".
However limited it would seem the use of cannon was in Japan during this period it would appear that did change the design and materials of the fortifications. Huge moats were excavated and the spoil raised in ramparts 20 feet high (and in some case 130 feet)! The earthen core was covered with a layer of stones and gravel and finally an outer layer of huge unmortared granite stones was laid. These ramparts had a distinctive shape with a graceful concave slope at the corners. On the summit of these massive ramparts were erected the flimsy looking wooden walls as on the earlier castles. A more apt description would be "wooden corridors" both single and double storey, with missile ports that were closed by shutters. The wooden structures were not bedded into the ramparts which allowed freedom of movement of both parts of the castle when it was struck by an earthquake. This was the reason for the shape of the wall and ramparts, which is also very pleasing to the eye. [Add ramparts to the Early Samurai Castle and you have a Late Samurai Castle. Send a SAE plus 1 x 1st Class stamp for details of these models to Village Green].
In the centre of the castle stood the keep, hirayama-jiro or don-jon, which was a raised tower of many roofs where the commanders lived. [In the early castle this stood on a low earthwork and in the later castle on a high one. The VG mound could also be used by Aztecs and the like]. The design of the castle was of a complex nature and relied on confusing an attacker by the maze of corridors and baileys, dead ends and secrets passages rather than on a defence in depth. This was because most of the fighting was at close quarters in confined spaces, and for the wargamer brings in ideas on skirmishes or Role Play. Castle architects would appear to have had a high mortality rate in this period.
The European type of formal siege was unknown to the Japanese whose sequence in this aspect of warfare was; Assault (usually costly and usually unsuccessful), investment followed by negotiations. The main problem the besieging general had was keeping his men from getting bored! Bring on the dancing girls - great idea for a scenario. When armies were counted in tens and even hundreds of thousands, then keeping them occupied during a long siege must have been a considerable headache to the commanders. I intend to keep my forces down to the feudal retainers of a couple of local Barons, daimyo, plus the odd bunch of bandits or ronin (masterless samurai), throw in a monastery manned by militant monks, sohei, plus a warlike set of villagers with the possibility of a ninja group then I foresee quite an enjoyable time ahead. For buildings of this period I can recommend those produced by Hovels. If any member has any ideas or information on this period of Japanese warfare or any information on books etc. please get in touch. Village Green - Early Samurai Castle
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