Samurai – what scale of warfare?

When it comes to gaming in the period of the Samurai, one thing is certain – we have a wide range of miniatures to choose from, whether it be large battles or small skirmishes.  I’ve tried to gather together a selection of ranges in a number of scales, so no matter what your preferred level of gaming, you should find a range of models to your liking (or perhaps, suddenly realise that this is a period you might want to game in multiple scales!)

I’ve aimed this primarily at the Sengoku period, though some earlier periods are referenced.

6mm

Baccus charging Samurai

Baccus 6mm – Baccus have a relatively small but comprehensive range of Samurai miniatures. 8 packs in total, but they cover all the main troops you will need. Their ‘Medieval Samurai’ range also include miniatures suitable for Ronin and Warrior Monks, plus a pack of Pavises.

Irregular Miniatures – Irregular also cover the main Samurai troop types (7 packs), although their range does include a light cannon for very late period battles

10mm

Irregular Miniatures – Irregular have a small range of 10mm Samurai in addition to their 6mm range, though the poses and armaments are limited.

Magister Militum 10mm Ashigaru

Magister Militum – Another small range of Samurai miniatures. There are 10 packs in the range, including  Warrior Monks and Ninja(!)

Pendraken Miniatures – A fairly comprehensive range of 20 different packs of figures including Samurai (Mounted & Foot), Ashigaru and peasants, plus guns and monks.

Castle Art’s – Large range of figure packs (50 in total) including complete clan battle packs (designed for Impetus rules – figures, resin bases, flags and grass)

Kallistra – Whilst these are listed as 12mm rather than 10mm, and look to be Medieval rather than Sengoku period, there are several packs of Samurai, Asahigaru and Monks in this range.

15mm

Irregular Miniatures – A range of 20 packs of figures, though lots of poses with Naginatas rather than Yari.

Old Glory 15s – A reasonably large range of miniatures: 28 packs in all including some more unusual packs such as female samurai and unarmoured samurai. Also available from Timecast Hobbies.

Museum Miniatures

Museum Miniatures – A range of over 40 different packs of miniatures, including some more unusual items such as camp and baggage items, as well as a drum.

Tin Soldier UK – A range of 23 different models with some unusual poses

Lancashire Games – A small range of 15 packs of figures – does include a pack of civilians.

Freikorp15 – Another small range of miniatures – 9 packs available

Peter Pig – Large range of figures, with over 50 packs available. Includes casualty figures and several different generals.

Two Dragons – Possibly the largest range of 15mm Samurai available.

Figures from my collection of Eureka Miniatures

Eureka Miniatures – One of my favourite ranges of 15mm Samurai, with 27 different packs available.

Legio Heroica – a range of 14 packs of Samurai and Ashigaru – sashimonos are sold separately.

Essex Miniatures – Quite a large range of 30 packs of figures, though these are Medieval period rather than 16th/17th Century.

Black Hat Miniatures – A small range of 8 packs of Medieval period Samurai

20mm

BandB Miniatures – Quite a large range of 33 packs of metal miniatures, ranging from individual heroes to unit packs.

Newline Designs – a small range of 5 packs of miniatures

Plastic Miniatures – There is quite a large range of 20mm plastic boxes available, including Caesar, Red Box and the excellent Zvezda range.

28mm

Dixon Miniatures – Large range of individual Samurai miniatures

Steel Fist Miniatures – Around 30 packs of figures, including many unique heroes and generals (range is themed around the battle of Sekigahara in 1600)

Kingsford Miniatures – Around 40 packs of figures in this range, including group packs and individual miniatures.

AW Miniatures – This company has just started to distribute 28mm Museum Miniatures. They have a comprehensive range of 34 packs, including Taiko, equipment and baggage

Perry Miniatures Samurai Cavalry

Perry Miniatures – Very large range of some 66 packs of figures. Probably my favourite 28mm range.

The following Manufacturers have ranges of Medieval Period Samurai in 28mm:

Battle Valor Games – Several packs of mixed mounted and un-mounted Samurai

Wargames Foundry – Five packs of Oriental Heroes sculpted by Aly Morrison

1st Corps – a range of 24 packs of figures, including monks and an interesting female hero, mounted and dismounted – larger unit packs also available

Curteys – a range of 15 packs of figures, with larger unit packs also available

Old Glory – Smaller 25mm range

The Assault Group – large range of figures available – over 40 packs.

West Wind Productions – 10 packs of figures available, plus larger unit boxes and separate heads, plus a couple of great character figures.

BOF Studio – Something slightly different, as this company has over 50 individual models, with a game themed around a Japanese version of Robin Hood: Ronin Hood.

Zenit Miniatures – a range of 27 packs of miniatures, including some fantasy miniatures. Designed for the ‘Kensei’ game, but most packs useable in historical games.

42mm

Steve Barber Models – a range of 48 large scale miniatures. Without doubt my favourite range of Samurai models currently available, in any scale.

Note: This is by no means an exhaustive list of the miniatures available, but rather something of an overview – please let me know of any I have missed and I will add them to the list.