The Red Lion (Akage)

The Red Lion (Akage) inspired by a character played by the great Toshiro Mifune. A magnificent addition for Ronin or Test of Honour among others, besides being able to represent an Officer of Tosa, Chosu or Satsuma in your Boshin War games.  

Sculpted by Stavros and painted by the very talented Dwarf Crypt

The Red Lion (Akage)

We have a new member in the family, the Red Lion (Akage) inspired by a character played by the great Toshiro Mifune. A magnificent addition for Ronin or Test of Honour among others, besides being able to represent an Officer of Tosa, Chosu or Satsuma in your Boshin War games.  

This great figure has been sculpted by the ever talented Stavros Zouliatis and is available now.    

Comparing Skirmish Rules for the Boshin War

Thanks to EnclavedMicrostate of LAF for this great article posted in his Blog analyzing several rule sets for the Boshin War.  

Going through the various (four) rule sets he've used for the Boshin War, with thoughts on pros and cons of each, both in general terms and specifically for the Bakumatsu period.

You can read the entire article here:

https://cohortsofthedamned.blogspot.com/2024/04/comparing-skirmish-rules-for-boshin-war.html

Boshin War game by Colin Snelgrove

Shaguma/Haguma/Koguma head set

New release for our Boshin War range, this time a Shaguma/Haguma/Koguma head set. Originally was a private commission of Ismael Montero to Stavros Zouliatis, and through their loving care now is available for everyone. Ideal for making your own Officers of Tosa, Satsuma and Chosu. Or even a Tosa Jinshotai unit!

*Please note that can need some hobby knife work.

Shaguma, Haguma and Koguma was a type of headgear worn by the officers of the Japanese Imperial troops in the Boshin War. The headgear was quite peculiar, involving the used of long, colored, "bear" hair. The "Red bear" (Shaguma) wigs indicate officers from Tosa Jinshotai, the "White bear" (Haguma) wigs officers from Choshu, and the "Black bear" (Koguma) wigs officers from Satsuma.

Thanks again to Ismael Montero and Stavros Zouliatis for his wonderful work.

Bakumatsu - From Samurai to Soldiers – Japan in the 1860s

This is the Holy Bible of the Bakumatsu & Boshin War!!! Many Thanks to Michael Togwell for the recommendation!!! 

Bakumatsu - From Samurai to Soldiers – Japan in the 1860s 

Weber, Till (Text) 

Lunyakov, Sascha (Illustrations) over 270 illustrations: Symbols, contemporary illustrations and 12 full- or double-page illustrations by Sascha Lunyakov 

Paperback 

168 pages 

From the early 17th century until the 1860s, Japan was ruled by samurai led by the Shoguns of the powerful Tokugawa dynasty. The long period of peace following almost incessant civil war had negative effects on the proficiency of these feudal warriors. When industrialized Western powers whose armies and navies were equipped with the most modern weapons began to take interest in Japan in the 1850s, a tumultuous period of reforms and radical changes ensued – Bakumatsu. From this time emerged a country which had thoroughly albeit painfully rid itself of former taboos: modern rifles and artillery produced new tactics, while modern uniforms replaced the samurai’s former splendour in arms. Now even non-samurai could become fighting men. By the 1870s, the Emperor Meiji ruled over a new Japan which no longer had any use for its ancient warrior élite. 

The Zeughaus Verlag’s third volume of the history of the samurai provides a detailed overview of the opposing parties as well as their respective military reforms. The reader is introduced to the various modern and traditional-minded combatants, from lowly but efficient regular infantry to the gallant desperadoes filling the ranks of the Shinsengumi. Rag-tag militias replaced proud and resplendently attired samurai fighting for a lost cause. Tactics, arms, clothing and equipment are presented in detail. The author describes the campaigns and battles which changed the country’s face between 1866 and 1869, and introduces the protagonists of the struggle which culminated in modern Japan’s entrance onto the world stage.

Hoheigumi (Shogunate heavy infantry) available!

We are delighted to announce the release of two news codes for our Boshin War range. They are the Hoheigumi (heavy infantry) Sculped by Stavros Zouliatis over Paul Hicks dollies, superb work! 

These men were the main force of the Shogunate army. Almost two of this regiment fought during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi as can be seen in a print of the battle. 

 

BW-20 Hoheigumi firing/skirmishing (4)

BW-21 Hoheigumi advancing/charging (4)

Hoheigumi at Osaka (reproduced in the Illustrated London News of August 1867)

Battle of Toba-Fushimi

These new codes are available to order now! 

Tosa Jinshotai

Tosa Jinshotai from BW-17 Imperial Officers & NCO.

Shaguma, Haguma and Koguma was a type of headgear worn by the officers of the Japanese Imperial troops in the Boshin War. The headgear was quite peculiar, involving the used of long, colored, "bear" hair. The "Red bear" (Shaguma) wigs indicate officers from Tosa Jinshotai, the "White bear" (Haguma) wigs officers from Chōshū, and the "Black bear" (Koguma) wigs officers from Satsuma.

Ronin Kenshin

Satsuma standard-bearer

Satsuma standard-bearer with the Invincible “Nishiki-No-Mihata (The Banner of Golden Brocade)”

Akudaikan "evil magistrate"

Akudaikan literally "evil magistrate", this figure is perfectly suitable as villain for your games of TOH, Ronin, Daisho or Zanshin (the upcoming samurai rulebook from Mana Press) 

This great character sculpted by Stavros belongs to our Boshin War code BW-19 Shogunate Officers & NCOs, now is available as individual figure due to a lot of petitions. 

SC-08 Akudaikan "evil magistrate" (1) Price: € 4.00

New Releases!

We are delighted to announce the release of two new packs for our Boshin War range, they are really great thanks to the ever talented Stavros Zouliatis.  

 

BW-18 Satsuma standard-bearer with “Nishiki-No-Mihata (Banner of Golden Brocade)” (1)  Price: € 4.00  

BW-19 Shogunate Officers & NCOs (4) include the famous heroine Yamamoto Yaeko and Shogunate Standard-Bearer with O Uma-Jirushi (Banner) Price: € 10.00

And also we inaugurated a new range based on famous cinema/manga samurai characters, the first figure is a very well-known samurai brilliantly sculped by Stavros. 

 

SC-01 Ronin Kenshin, Master Swordsman (1) Price: € 4.00