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Sunday, September 1, 2019

Japanese Levy Teppo in 15mm

A very long time has passed since the last Feudal Japanese unit mustered off the painting desk.  Looking back at the Painting Log, the last unit marching off the workbench for this project was in February 2018.  A very long time, indeed.  The lack of activity at the paint table is not surprising.  First, most of the figures have moved from The Lead Pile to the painted box.  Second, the collection has not witnessed action on the table in almost three years.  For a collection that I enjoy and a Commands & Colors game system that is so fun, the long hiatus is embarrassing, really.  Hopefully, with the end of busy summer schedules, time will be found this fall and winter to pick up the katana once again.   
Until then, 19 Peter Pig levy teppo march out from the painting desk.  Peter Pig's Samurai range of figures is one of my favorites.  Solid sculpts that are easy to paint and look good when finished.  This collection is one of the few that actually receive a satin finish rather than flat finish.  Something about lacquered armor calls out for a bit of sheen on the figures.
I recent Peter Pig sale saw me stock up on a few more packs of figures to complete a number of partial units lingering in inventory.  A unit of mixed foot Samurai will be the next unit seen emerging from the painting desk for this project.  The Samurai have not reached the painting desk yet but they will in good time.  So many units are in line ahead, it may take a month or two before the Samurai see the light of day.

Seeing the finished product, I am motivated to pull the collection out onto the table for a quick solo game.  With only a third of the gaming table in use at present, an 8'x6' section remains open for use.  

34 comments:

  1. Ouch, very tempting Feudal Japanese period, so beautiful and colorful units...You can be motivated, and proud, Jonathan!

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    1. Thanks, Phil! With all of the differently lacquered armor and banners, this is a colorful period to field on the gaming table.

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  2. Good looking units. No wonder you are tempted to get them on the tabletop. Do you cut the bases yourself?

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    1. Thank you, Peter! The bases are hexagonal and are purchased from Litko in the USA.

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  3. As soon as I saw the title, I though ‘it’s been a while’ since I have seen the army with its distinctive basing, but Feb 2018 surprised me.

    Seems a good time to seize the moment and get a quick game or two onto the table.

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    1. You have a good memory, Norm! You remember my "distinctive" basing too. Bonus points for you!

      It is a ripe opportunity to put these troops out onto the table. Do I play on a grid or free-form?

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    2. Hmmm ... do hexed bases invite a grid?

      I think you gridded last time, Samurai version of M'44 if I recall.

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  4. Terrific work Jonathan. I have been very tempted to put together a samurai army myself and have been looking at the Peter Pig range as well as Eureka's here in Australia. I'll be watching yours evolve with keen interest.

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    1. You are very kind, Lawrence!

      The Peter Pig figures are superb! If you want to see the state of this project circa 2014 when I last had the collection out on parade, see a project review here:

      https://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/2014/06/samurai-battles-project-in-review.html

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    2. Magnificent Jonathan. I'll definitely be back to that page for inspiration if and when I make the plunge.

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  5. Satin sheen for lacquered armor effect—an excellent tip, thanks!

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    1. Actually, now that I look at the spray can, it is Krylon Matte that tends to leave a sheen on the figures.

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  6. Great looking samurai, it's a very tempting period but I am walking away now!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, Iain! Tempting but not quite tempting enough...

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  7. Excellent looking troops! Great basing too!

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  8. Great looking troops, Jonathan. You've got me thinking about smaller scale troops for Sengoku big battles. :)

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    1. Thank you, Dean! The smaller scale is perfect for playing Samurai Battles on a grid.

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  9. A nice change of pace to return to this collection, Jon! Perhaps it will indeed lead top some games!

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    1. A nice change of pace, for sure. With luck, I will get these out on the table.

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  10. Dear Mr. Freitag, about the book "L'Esercito Austriaco nel 1859", could you share a bit about the austrian volunteer units and their uniforms?

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    1. This is not such a simple request and requires research. I will send some information to you in the email address you provided earlier.

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  11. Lovely figures and great result Jonathan! Are the hex bases tied to a particular game system or do you merely use them for their aesthetics? Personally I think they look fab.

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    1. Thank you!

      The BMUs are based tin this manner to accommodate three different rules. One uses a two-inch hex, one uses a four-inch hex, and the third uses no grid at all!

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  12. Tremendous teppo! The hexagonal bases work a treat too.

    Cheers, Ross

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