Samurai Starter Army

Description

Samurai Starter Army

The Samurai are the almost mythical warrior caste of Japanese history. Theirmost famous exploits occurred during the Sengoku period between 1467 and1603. With the Emperor and the Shogun unable to control the many daimyos, therewas near constant fighting between the various factions. In these times theSamurai code (Bushido) became more defined and standards of fighting improved.Even the introduction of the musket in 1543 was seen as an opportunity ratherthan a threat.

The Samurai starter army box set contains:

• 1 metal mounted Samurai commander (two bits, horse and rider)
• 12 Samurai Horsemen
• 20 Samurai
• 40 Ashigaru Spearmen
• 40 Ashigaru Missile Troops
• 6 decal sheets (Takeda Clan, 3 white and 3 black)
• 4 leaflets
• 12pp booklet “Armies of the Daimyos” with army lists and rules
• Infantry and cavalry bases

Ashigaru (literally “light foot”) were so named as they had lighterarmour than the Samurai. They also formed the bulk of the armies of the day.Each Samurai was expected to provide two armed Ashigaru. Many of these would bearmed with the yari (spear). These are not the pike blocks of contemporaryEurope as the Ashigaru were trained to fight in a looser formation, travelquicker and their spear was for slicing and thrusting. Many a battle was won bythe Ashigaru, especially if cavalry were foolish enough to attack them fromthe front.

The biggest change in the Sengoku period (1467–1603) would affect the roleof missile troops in battle. At the start of the period, these were all armedwith the yumi (bow) and fought in coordinated units to pepper the enemy withtheir arrows. This bow, like the equivalent English Longbow, took many yearstraining to perfect but was deadly when used correctly. Due to the trainingneeded there were never as many yumi armed troops as a daimyo may havewanted!

By the 16th and 17th centuries, warfare was changing and the Samurai werechanging with it. They did not forget their horse-riding roots while this changehappened. Even though the introduction of the long spear made cavalry chargesmore difficult to pull off they were still performed. A well-timed strike by aunit of Samurai horsemen could turn the tide of a battle. These cavalry attackscontinued throughout the Sengoku period and many a daimyo lost his headto one.

This product is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue and paints notincluded.

Delivery

Delivery Rates
Australia Delivery

Our delivery rates vary based on the weight and volume of your total order. An accurate shipping cost will be calculated during the checkout process. Orders are shipped by air via Australia Post straight to your door! 

Delivery Times
The Board Gamer orders ship from our fulfillment partner Mighty Ape. Their warehouse is based in New Zealand with daily flights across the Tasman with Australia Post.

As a result of courier delays the current standard delivery times for In Stock products using Australia Post are as follows: