Monarch Regalia: The Samurai Collection (1 Viewer)

[Andanna]

As I mentioned in my “report” on the MFCA show in Wilmington (DE), I fell in love with the samurai range of Monarch Regalia. In the meantime, the first sets have arrived o) and I would like to share with you a number of pictures. I will start with Tokugawa Ieyasu (hereinafter for the purposes of this thread in accordance with practices previously established by Ted, the “Head Honcho” or “HH”) and plan to continue with troops and heraldry.

Prior to acquiring the first figure, I speed-read from Osprey

• Samurai Heraldry (Elite)
• Samurai Commanders (1): 940-1576 (Elite)
• Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638 (Elite)
• Samurai 1550-1600 (Warrior)
• Samurai - The World of the Warrior (Hardcover)
• Sekigahara 1600: The Final Struggle For Power (Campaign)
• War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential History)
• Ashigaru 1467-1649 (Warrior)
• Samurai Armies 1550-1615 (Men-at-Arms).


I may hence point out that the Head Honcho wears his “Portuguese” armor in this model. The figures are manufactured in Thailand. For more details, I may point to Ted’s website:

http://www.tedtoy.com/monarch_samurai.htm

As always, there are more photos in the album and all comments are highly welcome.

 

[thebritfarmer]

The Monarch figures are simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[Andanna]

Beyond the Head Honcho - messenger and two bodyguards:

 

[VIRIATO]

Monarch is very special, beautiful figures. Unfortunately out of my choice range for now...


Paulo

 

[kogu]

Congratulations to adding this range to your collection. They truely are beautiful figures.
My favorite subject of that line is the "procession", a great assembly of mounted and foot figures, showing a Noble and his entourage on the march.
Konrad

 

[Russell]

I'm very impressed with your background grass and trees.

 

[PolarBear]

Andreas

Wonderful photos of your Monarch samurai. Great integration of figures and setting. I like the cherry blossoms on the tree.

Randy

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I have several Monarch Samurai sets as well. They are very special. Nicely sculpted and painted. I bought them from Ted Deddens at the OTSN show several years ago. I should see what new is available in that range. Haven't checked out that line in years... I love samurai in gloss!

 

[Andanna]

Thank you for all the kind words. I had no idea this many people were familiar with this range of figures - and collect it.

Details of the messenger:

 

[Andanna]

Samurai Heraldry (Part 1):

Having just started to dive into this area of warfare/collecting, everything is new to me and I would like to share some of my new understandings with my fellow-collectors:

In the photo below, we see the personal standards of the Head Honcho: Tokugawa Ieyasu. One purpose of a standard was to indicate the whereabouts of a general, and so as the nobori became popular and the same flags tended to appear everywhere the eye could see, a new device had to be introduced; the “uma-jirushi”.

The Head Honcho had two standards: an “o-uma-jirushi” (Great Standard) and a “ko-uma-jirushi” (Lesser Standard). The Great Standard consisted of a giant golden fan made of strengthened paper and raised on a fifteen-foot- high shaft. Some sources say that a red sun was painted on each side (Note: see picture without the red sun in Osprey’s "Samurai Heraldry", plate H; with it in Osprey’s “Samurai Armies”, plate D).

For the Lesser Standard he used a bronze disk pierced with a circular hole at the top (the “Boar’s Eye”).

One other flag was a treasure of the Tokugawa house: it was a white hata-jiruschi which bore on it the slogan “Renounce this filthy world and attain the Pure Land”, referring to the Jodo or Pure Land sect of Buddhism, by whom the flag had been presented to Ieyasu’s ancestor.

(Source: Samurai Armies 1550 - 1615, Stephen Turnbull, P. 36 & 37)

 

[VIRIATO]

Just a curiosity: Andanna pointed out the Portuguese armour used by one of the figures. Did you know that the Portuguese were the first Westerners to arrive in Japan? The Japanese word «Arigato» comes from the Portuguese «Obrigado» (both words meaning thank you). At that time Portugal was a superpower...

Paulo

 

[wadepat]

Samurai Heraldry (Part 1):

Having just started to dive into this area of warfare/collecting, everything is new to me and I would like to share some of my new understandings with my fellow-collectors:

In the photo below, we see the personal standards of the Head Honcho: Tokugawa Ieyasu. One purpose of a standard was to indicate the whereabouts of a general, and so as the nobori became popular and the same flags tended to appear everywhere the eye could see, a new device had to be introduced; the “uma-jirushi”.

The Head Honcho had two standards: an “o-uma-jirushi” (Great Standard) and a “ko-uma-jirushi” (Lesser Standard). The Great Standard consisted of a giant golden fan made of strengthened paper and raised on a fifteen-foot- high shaft. Some sources say that a red sun was painted on each side (Note: see picture without the red sun in Osprey’s "Samurai Heraldry", plate H; with it in Osprey’s “Samurai Armies”, plate D).

For the Lesser Standard he used a bronze disk pierced with a circular hole at the top (the “Boar’s Eye”).

One other flag was a treasure of the Tokugawa house: it was a white hata-jiruschi which bore on it the slogan “Renounce this filthy world and attain the Pure Land”, referring to the Jodo or Pure Land sect of Buddhism, by whom the flag had been presented to Ieyasu’s ancestor.

(Source: Samurai Armies 1550 - 1615, Stephen Turnbull, P. 36 & 37)

Hi Andreas,

Your pictures are spectacular! As you know, I collect the Monarch Regalia Samurai figures and I spend long hours admiring them. Seeing your collection posted on our forum is a significant treat!

Also, I want to compliment you on the research you have conducted regarding the personal standards displayed by each "Honcho." As usual, the information you present is exceedingly interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing these beautiful figures with us and for providing us with the knowledge resulting from your research. I look forward to viewing more of your collection!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Just a curiosity: Andanna pointed out the Portuguese armour used by one of the figures. Did you know that the Portuguese were the first Westerners to arrive in Japan? The Japanese word «Arigato» comes from the Portuguese «Obrigado» (both words meaning thank you). At that time Portugal was a superpower...

Paulo

Hi Paulo,

I did not know the Japanese word, "Arigato" originated with a Portuguese word. That is a most interesting fact. To the best of your knowledge, was there no Japanese equivalent word or phrase to express gratitude prior to the arrival of the Portuguese? Were there other Portuguese words or phrases that found their way into the Japanese language? I am interested in learning more about the impact the Portuguese language had on the Japanese culture.

Thanks for sharing this information. I find it to be incredibly interesting!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Andanna]

As you know, I collect the Monarch Regalia Samurai figures and I spend long hours admiring them.

Hi Pat,

I hope you know that you and Ted got me into this wonderful mess . But then, as they say, half was getting dragged, the other half was voluntarily surrendering.

BTW: You having been involved with MR so much longer than I have, I am certain there are things you can share as well.

 

[wadepat]

Hi Pat,

I hope you know that you and Ted got me into this wonderful mess . But then, as they say, half was getting dragged, the other half was voluntarily surrendering.

BTW: You having been involved with MR so much longer than I have, I am certain there are things you can share as well.

Hi Andreas,



I know, I know! I have an evil side. And, Ted and I have tempted you beyond all reason! But,...arn't you having a great time collecting these wonderful figures?

Without a doubt, the Monarch Regalia Samurai are incredibly beautiful figures. And, I am very pleased you are enjoying them so much.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Harrytheheid]

Samurai Heraldry (Part 1):

Having just started to dive into this area of warfare/collecting, everything is new to me and I would like to share some of my new understandings with my fellow-collectors:

In the photo below, we see the personal standards of the Head Honcho: Tokugawa Ieyasu. One purpose of a standard was to indicate the whereabouts of a general, and so as the nobori became popular and the same flags tended to appear everywhere the eye could see, a new device had to be introduced; the “uma-jirushi”.

The Head Honcho had two standards: an “o-uma-jirushi” (Great Standard) and a “ko-uma-jirushi” (Lesser Standard). The Great Standard consisted of a giant golden fan made of strengthened paper and raised on a fifteen-foot- high shaft. Some sources say that a red sun was painted on each side (Note: see picture without the red sun in Osprey’s "Samurai Heraldry", plate H; with it in Osprey’s “Samurai Armies”, plate D).

For the Lesser Standard he used a bronze disk pierced with a circular hole at the top (the “Boar’s Eye”).

One other flag was a treasure of the Tokugawa house: it was a white hata-jiruschi which bore on it the slogan “Renounce this filthy world and attain the Pure Land”, referring to the Jodo or Pure Land sect of Buddhism, by whom the flag had been presented to Ieyasu’s ancestor.

(Source: Samurai Armies 1550 - 1615, Stephen Turnbull, P. 36 & 37)

Andanna,

I don't collect Monarch Samurai - but they are certainly very nice collectibles, no doubt of that whatsoever and this is developing into an extremely interesting thread.
May I ask about the buildings in the background of your photo's? Are these backdrop pictures or actual scale model buildings?
Does anyone know where Japanese style buildings suitable for the Medieval period can be sourced? I think JG Miniatures might have suitable items - although I still have to look through their catalogue again, (it's been a while since I last looked).
Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks
H

 

[Andanna]

Harry, I wish these were models that I owned. They are internet photos of the

Himeji Castle

Matsumoto Castle

and Osaka Castle

of the Edo period of Japanese history. Unfortunately, I have not extended my "research" to castles, but I am comfortable to say that these three castles did not look exactly like this during Ieyasu's life.

I only found models in very small scales - possibly suitable for a background. But I did not find anything that comes close to 1/30, 1/35 or/54mm scale. But I would be interested as well in anyone's ideas.

Postscriptum: If anyone wants to benefit from my googling castle pictures, please let me know and I will email pictures of the desired castle in better quality.

 

[Andanna]

Two more observations on personal standards:

Ieyasu's Great Standard on tour - I highly recommend this article:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/yorkshire/leeds/art27504

as it describes the Great Standard - and has a picture of the original (without the red sun).

Interesting also the precautions, the lending museum took:

"Two Shinto priests from Japan are to safeguard the artefacts throughout a forthcoming exhibition at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds."

Secondly, I may point out that Ieyasu had at least seven additional personal standards in the form of a jirushi (a form of flag that I would like to cover in Part II) with the mon ("crest") of his clan. They were sometimes substituted by plain white nabori - as for example during the battle at Sekigahara. Monarch offers both versions of these standards. You will need seven ... These photo's are from Ted's website - I do not have these standards (http://www.tedtoy.com/monarch_samurai.htm).

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry, I wish these were models that I owned. They are internet photos of the

Himeji Castle

Matsumoto Castle

and Osaka Castle

of the Edo period of Japanese history. Unfortunately, I have not extended my "research" to castles, but I am comfortable to say that these three castles did not look exactly like this during Ieyasu's life.

I only found models in very small scales - possibly suitable for a background. But I did not find anything that comes close to 1/30, 1/35 or/54mm scale. But I would be interested as well in anyone's ideas.

Andanna,

Thanks for the response.
I had a look through the JG miniatures catalogue earlier today and while they do have some scenic stuff that would be useful, (specifically, their cherry blossom trees), the Asian building facades don't have that medieval "Japan" feel.
I'm using Chinese stuff which at a stretch I can call "Korean", but I'm looking for more than that.
I know JJD does 28mm Japanese buildings;
http://www.johnjenkinsdesigns.com/28mm.htm

As you say, these would work as distant background, but for close-up backdrops I reckon I'll have to fall back on "Plan B".

PS. Please see my PM.

Thanks
H

 

[Andanna]

Harry & I have agreed to take rounds.

Samurai Heraldry (Part II):

In Part I, I undertook the effort of covering personal banners, namely those of an individual warlord. In this part, I would like to address the signage for units. As a reminder, I am covering the Tokugawa clan (clan of the “Head Honcho”) only.

The main banner for unit identification by the end of the 17th century according to my understanding had become the nobori, replacing the hata jirushi. The nobori had the advantage of not being obscured by high winds. Large numbers of foot soldiers were employed simply to carry flags to aid an army’s disposition on the battlefield. According to Turnbull (Samurai Heraldry, p. 20), a muster roll of Uesugi Kenshin in 1575 showed that out of a grand total of 6,200 foot soldiers, no less than 402 were employed in carrying flags. For visuals, I may refer to the movies “RAN” and “KAGEMUSHA”.

Red, blue, yellow, black and white are considered the “Lucky Colors” and therefore were the usual choices.

The mon of the Head Honcho’s clan, the Tokugawa clan, was the mitsu aoi, the “three hollyhocks”.

I think it is a fair statement that most of the clans end of the 17th century provided its soldiers with armor which carried the mon of the clan displayed on the helmet and chest plate. In addition, a new type of flag had been introduced to give units of samurai pike men and swordsmen a more prominent visual signature: the sashimono. Most sashimono consisted of a small flag similar to a nobori which was held rigid by two poles threaded through loops on the edges of the cloth, and flown from the back of a samurai’s suit of armor.

A unit of Ashigaru and their Samurai receive new orders:

In the picture we see the sashimono carried by the Ashigaru with the mon of the Tokugawa clan, the nabori of this specific unit (the "Rising Sun" on off-white ground) and the special sashimono of the messenger, in the case of this Tokugawa messenger, the character "go" (meaning "Five") for the "honourable messenger corps".

The information summarized here is generally taken from the following books which I can only full-heartedly recommend:

Samurai Heraldry
Samurai 1550-1600
Ashigaru 1467-1649
Samurai Armies 1550-1615