Hi to all
Hope everyone is well and safe so to brighten the world up I am going to look at a figure release I was sent by Andrey at Legion Miniatures
The model depicts a Ronin wielding 2 swords advancing downward a series of stepped stones but who or what were the Ronin
A ronin was a samurai warrior in feudal Japan without a master or lord — known as a daimyo.
A samurai could become a ronin in several different ways: his master might die or fall from power or the samurai might lose his master's favor or patronage and be cast off.
The word "ronin" literally means "wave man," so the connotation is that he is a drifter or a wanderer. The term is quite pejorative, as its English equivalent might be "vagrant." Originally, during the Nara and Heian eras, the word was applied to serfs who fled from their masters' land and took to the road — they would often turn to crime to support themselves, becoming robbers and highwaymen.
Over time, the word was transferred up the social hierarchy to rogue samurai. These samurais were seen as outlaws and vagabonds, men who had been expelled from their clans or had renounced their lords.
Our Ronin is as we see armed with swords lets have a bit of detail on a couple of the sword types
The Japanese Tachi sword is, in some respects, similar to the Katana. However, it can be distinguished by its more pronounced curve and slightly longer blade. The Tachi was primarily used by warriors on horseback, where the extra length and curve of the blade made it particularly suited to cutting down enemy foot soldiers on foot.
The sword is the predecessor to the Katana as the preferred weapon of Japan’s warrior class, and it evolved over the years into more modern designs. The two are differentiated from each other by the fittings on the blade and how they were worn.
The legendary Katana is the most well-known type of Japanese sword, which is often simply referred to by many as the ‘Samurai Sword’. The Katana has several characteristics which make it easily recognisable. The single-edged blade is curved, slender, and averages between 60cm – 80cm long. Most Katana will have a square or round hand guard, and the handle will be long enough to accommodate two hands. The Katana has long been associated with the Samurai class of feudal Japan. It’s instantly recognisable by many due to its appearance in pop culture, and it has become synonymous with Japanese swords.
The Katana was developed between 1392-1573, during the Muromachi period. It’s thought the sword was a response to changes in the battlefield environment which required warriors to be more responsive and faster. The Katana was unique as it was traditionally worn with the edge facing upwards, allowing the wearer to draw the sword and strike their opponent in a single motion.
This shows the above swords
A Wakizashi sword is another traditional Japanese sword with a shorter blade compared to the Katana. The average Wakizashi is between 30 and 60 centimetres. The sword is similar in some respects to the Katana and is shorter than it. Traditionally, the Wakizashi would be worn with the Katana by Samurai warriors. This pairing of swords was called the daisho, or big-little. The Katana in this pairing would be called simply the sword, long sword or killing sword, while the Wakizashi would be called the companion sword.
The Wakizashi could be used as a backup weapon, or in some circumstances, could be wielded in the warrior's off-hand, if the Samurai were skilled enough to use two swords at the same time. On occasions, the sword was used to commit Seppuku, or ritual suicide, which lead to the title ‘Honor Blade’.
When entering a building or residence, the Samurai would often be required to leave their Katana at the entrance. However, the Wakizashi could be worn at all times without causing offence. This made the sword something like a side arm, as it was inconspicuous and could be taken everywhere. It was also especially well-suited to fighting in confined spaces, seeing as the sword is shorter than a Katana. Some Samurai would even sleep with the sword under their pillow, or next to the bed, in order for it to be instantly accessible.
Books are obviously readily available on the Samurai here are a couple I can recommend
Continued in next post
Nap
Hope everyone is well and safe so to brighten the world up I am going to look at a figure release I was sent by Andrey at Legion Miniatures
We are going to be looking at :
Produced by Legion Miniatures in collaboration with Silver Dream Studio
The model depicts a Ronin wielding 2 swords advancing downward a series of stepped stones but who or what were the Ronin
A ronin was a samurai warrior in feudal Japan without a master or lord — known as a daimyo.
A samurai could become a ronin in several different ways: his master might die or fall from power or the samurai might lose his master's favor or patronage and be cast off.
The word "ronin" literally means "wave man," so the connotation is that he is a drifter or a wanderer. The term is quite pejorative, as its English equivalent might be "vagrant." Originally, during the Nara and Heian eras, the word was applied to serfs who fled from their masters' land and took to the road — they would often turn to crime to support themselves, becoming robbers and highwaymen.
Over time, the word was transferred up the social hierarchy to rogue samurai. These samurais were seen as outlaws and vagabonds, men who had been expelled from their clans or had renounced their lords.
The Japanese Tachi sword is, in some respects, similar to the Katana. However, it can be distinguished by its more pronounced curve and slightly longer blade. The Tachi was primarily used by warriors on horseback, where the extra length and curve of the blade made it particularly suited to cutting down enemy foot soldiers on foot.
The sword is the predecessor to the Katana as the preferred weapon of Japan’s warrior class, and it evolved over the years into more modern designs. The two are differentiated from each other by the fittings on the blade and how they were worn.
The legendary Katana is the most well-known type of Japanese sword, which is often simply referred to by many as the ‘Samurai Sword’. The Katana has several characteristics which make it easily recognisable. The single-edged blade is curved, slender, and averages between 60cm – 80cm long. Most Katana will have a square or round hand guard, and the handle will be long enough to accommodate two hands. The Katana has long been associated with the Samurai class of feudal Japan. It’s instantly recognisable by many due to its appearance in pop culture, and it has become synonymous with Japanese swords.
The Katana was developed between 1392-1573, during the Muromachi period. It’s thought the sword was a response to changes in the battlefield environment which required warriors to be more responsive and faster. The Katana was unique as it was traditionally worn with the edge facing upwards, allowing the wearer to draw the sword and strike their opponent in a single motion.
This shows the above swords
A Wakizashi sword is another traditional Japanese sword with a shorter blade compared to the Katana. The average Wakizashi is between 30 and 60 centimetres. The sword is similar in some respects to the Katana and is shorter than it. Traditionally, the Wakizashi would be worn with the Katana by Samurai warriors. This pairing of swords was called the daisho, or big-little. The Katana in this pairing would be called simply the sword, long sword or killing sword, while the Wakizashi would be called the companion sword.
The Wakizashi could be used as a backup weapon, or in some circumstances, could be wielded in the warrior's off-hand, if the Samurai were skilled enough to use two swords at the same time. On occasions, the sword was used to commit Seppuku, or ritual suicide, which lead to the title ‘Honor Blade’.
When entering a building or residence, the Samurai would often be required to leave their Katana at the entrance. However, the Wakizashi could be worn at all times without causing offence. This made the sword something like a side arm, as it was inconspicuous and could be taken everywhere. It was also especially well-suited to fighting in confined spaces, seeing as the sword is shorter than a Katana. Some Samurai would even sleep with the sword under their pillow, or next to the bed, in order for it to be instantly accessible.
Books are obviously readily available on the Samurai here are a couple I can recommend
Continued in next post
Nap
