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| View from behind Imagawa left |
After about five years (!), the Feudal Japan collection is back out onto the gaming table. Five years? It seems like only yesterday. Pulling these armies from their boxes and arraying for battle have been a long time coming, for sure. Much too long. Attempting to make up for lost time, Azukizaka will be fought again on Tuesday. The scenario for this battle, I collected from the Commands & Colors Samurai Battles website. Initial deployments for the two armies are shown in the photo below:
In the historical battle, the Imagawa clan under the leadership of Sessai attempted to lay an ambush for the Oda clan under the command of Nobuhide. Nobuhide was defeated, reversing the victory over the Imagawa at Azukizaka six years earlier.
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| Initial deployments |
For this action, I return to Basic Impetvs. Again, another branch of my rules' collection not seeing action in many years. Returning back to work I did earlier on converting BI to a grid, this prototype is ready for renewed trials. With a few amendments to the game engine, BI ought to work on a grid. Adding in a few rules to provide a flavor of Feudal Japanese warfare, I am ready for a test. Expect more Samurai battles throughout 2022.
On another front, work begins on modifying code and tabulating the numbers for the annual Painting Log Review. Even with nearly 100 games in the books for 2021, painting production was quite respectable. Surprisingly, I managed to paint more than 1,000 figures. More on this topic another time.
First, a game is afoot.
A period of warfare that I know precious little about, but always does look rather interesting and certainly visually attractive, as shown here in your set up. Maybe time to watch some Kurusawa films again for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteA Kurusawa film would provide great inspiration for setting the stage to gaming the period.
DeleteThe period has always been visually impressive. Looking forward to the AAR.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to giving this a run-through as well.
DeleteThis will be interesting. I've been a fan of impetus (though not played in a while), and will be curious to see how the grid adaption plays out.
ReplyDeleteHaving not played Impetvs in years either, I hope the rules still hold the allure for me they did when first published. For remote games and hosting, grids simplify play so hopefully this works out satisfactorily.
DeleteI have not seen your Samurai collection on the table before Jon, they look great! Like Steve, I know nothing about Oriental military history really.....Japan, Korea, Chine et al....only a very superficial impression of invasions from the north and the Japs and Koreans constantly having a go at each other....a bit like the English and the French!
ReplyDeleteKeith, it has been far too long since these fellas have seen the spotlight (or any light, really!).
DeleteDepending upon on how these early trials go, I might get this collection out in a regular rotation for 2022.
Yikes! I was going to say we used to play Basic Impetus on a Geohex grid (which we did) and was surprised that I had to go back to 2012!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBactrian Greek vs Chinese BI on grid game
Ross, 2015 was the last time I had Impetvs out for a spin and that was for Baroque. Impetvs (on Grid or otherwise) was last tried here in 2014. Hard to believe, isn't it?
DeleteAs others have said, massed Japanese units on the table look great! Sadly I too know little of the setting, but I’m looking forward to the battles to come!
ReplyDeleteWith lacquered armor and colorful sashimonos, Feudal Japanese battles are visually striking. If I dive into a series of battles, we all have an opportunity to learn a thing or two about the period. I appreciate your encouragement!
DeleteI'm looking forward to this Jonathan, and also seeing how Impetus plays out which is a set of rules I have yet to investigate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! I am enjoying seeing these armies out on the table again. Soon, they will be in battle. Will report back on how Impetvs works.
DeleteLooks interesting. One period I know very little about
ReplyDeleteGood to see you are interested if not tempted, Neil.
DeleteOne of my favourite period for skirmish games. Shame, that have never played big battle!
ReplyDeleteNever played a skirmish game in this period. Give a Big Battle approach a try some time.
DeleteThe hexed bases within a hexed setting gives a very interesting look. I remember seeing these bases on your blog, but can't remember whether they were bases being painted and added or being played ... either way, it doesn't feel like 5 years ago - there is just so much to play, good to see this collection rotated to the table.
ReplyDeleteNorm, when I first conceived this project, my basing idea was to play on a two inch hex grid using the original version of Samurai Battles (Zvezda vs GMT). Each double-hex BMU would span two hexes with wheeling holding one half of the BMU stationary while wheeling the other half into a new hex. I also wanted these BMUs to work for play on a buddy’s four inch square grid playing the same game. Interesting basing but there was some method to this madness.
DeleteGood to see it out on the table, for sure.
I’m with Steve on this. Visually stunning. But I know nothing about the period or in fact that region of the world. I think the book and TV series Shogun and the Last Samurai is the extent of my ‘knowledge’.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Those two examples may cover most people’s introduction to the period.
DeleteNice , not a period I know much about , my brain can only hold so much information. Good to see the hexes back out…….did I really say that 😱
ReplyDeleteSteve Turnbull has authored many works on the period. Grab one of his books for a good introduction to the period if you wish more period background.
DeleteSeeing you warm to playing on a grid, is encouraging. Was it playing Commands & Colors that pushed you off the fence?
Look forward to the battle in due course. Did a bit of skirmish games with Samurai back in the early 80's with Dixon figures all got sold on to fund new projects though.
ReplyDeletePhil, all I will say is that the battle came down to the wire. To experience the full color and scope of Japanese warfare on the table, I recommend fighting Big Battles.
DeleteLike many above, this is a period which I find very intriguing but hardly know much about. The armies are spectacular though! Really looking forward to the AAR. Oh, and very curious to see how those double hex bases affect gameplay (if at all?)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike!
DeleteThe double hex bases have no effect when playing on a four-inch hex grid but do have and an effect when playing on a two-inch hex grid.
Lovely looking set up,I do like Steven Turnbulls books,I am interested in the period ( having a bit of Japanese heritage helps in that regard!) I'm going to resist, even though I've been looking at Perry's 28mm range!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks! You sure you are not tempted into another period?
Delete1000 miniatures and 100 games played across how genres. You’re living the gamers dream my friend. 😀
ReplyDeleteAnd perhaps a spouse’s nightmare?
DeleteMy God, Jonathan…100 games…I would have been happy with a fifth of that! Great looking game.
ReplyDeleteMark, 100 is a lot of games, for sure. I still cannot imagine how they added up to so many. Two to three games a week will do it.
DeleteVery interesting! Just curious “To the Strongest” system is based on grid and it should be closer to your concept.
ReplyDeletePainting results of 2021 are really impressive!
Dmitry, good point on TtS!. I may move in that direction but I enjoy the game engine from Impetvs. If OImpetvs on a grid does not satisfy my curiosity then TtS! may be the next step in the experimentation process.
DeleteAlways nice to get a look at your Japanese Jonathan. Impetus has remained my go to rules for ancients so I'm curious to see how this grid system works for you.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Christopher, I have not played Impetvs in many, many years. Moving the game to a grid should help in remote play. You will see how it turns out in Game 1 soon.
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