Ships of the Sengoku period (feudal Japan)

[Vermin_King]

Don, that dragon head figurehead is an inspiration in itself.

Chris, I think it was in one of those history shows, but I remember seeing the oars going through those spaces between the shielding and the actual ship

[Papierschnitzel]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

... It also reminds me of a typical sushi boat. ...

Me too. Probably no coincidence. Maybe I have been looking for research material in the wrong places Time for a research sushi!

[catopower]

Very nice work!

I've been studying Japanese watercraft in detail for the past couple years focussing on wood construction modeling, but I've often considered building something in paper.

I ran across one paper model of a Sekibune or Hayabune. I had some design problems, but most people would never have been able to tell. It was a simple, neat model.

I haven't paid much attention to the warships of the Sengoku period, focussing more on the ships and boats of the late Edo period, but have been wanting to build something along the line of what you're doing, but have had a hard time researching the subject, as almost all the useful info is in Japanese.

I did manage to build a hull of a Edo period boat called an Isanabune, which was used for whale hunting and other fishing. This particular one is based on a boat used by the Tokushima Han, I don't recall the year, but I'm thinking it was early 1800s.

Anyway, nice work. I hope to see more!

Clare

[Don Boose]

That isanabune looks rather like the craft depicted in Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa."

Don

[catopower]

Hi Don,

Yes, there are a great deal of similarities between different Japanese native watercraft, particularly the sea-going fishing boats. I love those Hokusai wood block prints!

Clare

[Papierschnitzel]

Originally Posted by catopower

Very nice work!

I've been studying Japanese watercraft in detail for the past couple years focussing on wood construction modeling, but I've often considered building something in paper.

I ran across one paper model of a Sekibune or Hayabune. I had some design problems, but most people would never have been able to tell. It was a simple, neat model.

I haven't paid much attention to the warships of the Sengoku period, focussing more on the ships and boats of the late Edo period, but have been wanting to build something along the line of what you're doing, but have had a hard time researching the subject, as almost all the useful info is in Japanese.

I did manage to build a hull of a Edo period boat called an Isanabune, which was used for whale hunting and other fishing. This particular one is based on a boat used by the Tokushima Han, I don't recall the year, but I'm thinking it was early 1800s.

Anyway, nice work. I hope to see more!

Clare

Thanks Clare. That is a interesting shape. I instantly thought of whale hunting. Probably because of the long bow :-)

Have been away on holiday ... on a boat! But now I am back again and got some progress to show. I have started working on the textures.

They look very pristine and new without the weathering layer. New boats so far!

The boat with the pointed bow was the first try. The other has some more texturing details which I added later.


I have also added an optional rudder.


And the hull view. One wouldn't see this normally but just to show how I painted it.


Completely forgot to take pictures while building, so I have to show the assembly process another time. Lots of chances for that the next days and weeks :-)

Now I can start working on the superstructure texture ...

[Don Boose]

Excellent representations of these beautiful watercraft!

Don

[catopower]

Hi Chris,

Very nice. Actually, making waterline models like that simplifies a lot of issues!

One thing I can tell you that surprises most people. These boats didn't have frames like you've drawn on the inner faces. The Japanese edge-fastened their planking. If any kind of frames were added, they were in the bottom of the boat and added after the planks went on. Much of the structural integrity, besides the large iron fastenings between planks, came from beams, like those you showed in the earlier photos.

Anyway, I've attached a photo I shot inside a replica coastal transport. This one was about 24 meters long. These got up to 30+ meters in length, but were all built the same way. You can see what the fastenings looked like and the absence of frames.

Also, I uploaded a few photos of a model of the Atakebune called the Nippon Maru. This is supposed to be the largest of the wooden Japanese warships.

Hope you find them useful.

Clare

[Papierschnitzel]

Big thanks Clare! I have net found any details like this yet. Now I know what the little rectangles really are on the sides. I will adapt my texturing accordingly. Maybe leave the other one for a fantasy alternate version :-)

As the boats are designed for gaming on a gaming table I needed the waterline version. Of course for display they look better with the full hull.

[roham]

hi.
nice job👍👍👍