Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Moderator: Slitherine Core
Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun offers the opportunity to lead armies from very diverse regions and countries: Japan, Korea, China, Manchuria and Mongolia.
We’ll cover each region in weekly previews, describing the available army lists, talking about their evolution and the weapons and tactics they employ.
Japan and its clans
Japan in the 16th century was a politically fractured reality: the Sengoku Jidai period (Warring States Era) was a period of civil war in Japan from 1467 to 1600. During that time, the Emperor of Japan was only a religious and ceremonial figure who delegated power to the Shōgun, the military governor of Japan. The era began with the Ōnin War (1467-1477) where a dispute between potential heirs to the Ashikaga Shogunate led to a civil war involving several daimyō and the destruction of Kyoto. Since then, the authority of the Shogunate had diminished while the daimyo increased their authority over their fiefs and fought against each other to expand their realms.
The era brought about the rise and fall of several prominent clans. Old families like the Imagawa and Hōjō would be eliminated. Some families would break away from their old masters and forge a path of their own, like the Tokugawa. The Takeda family, hailing from an agriculturally poor province, dominated central Japan through exploitation of their gold mines, and employed cunning military and political strategies against their neighbours. Peasants could become lords and make a name for themselves, like the Toyotomi.
An Oda army defending behind field fortifications against the Takeda
The armies of the Sengoku Jidai were manifestations of the feudal social structure of Japan, which revolved around kinsmen and vassals. The head of the clan and its army was the daimyō, literally translated as “great name”. He was supported by the kashindan. These were a group of blood relatives and retainers associated by family ties, marriage, filial oaths, and hereditary vassalage.
A standing army was uncommon but was popularised during the later years of the Sengoku Jidai. For the majority of the period, armies were composed of farmers who needed to stand down during the planting and harvesting seasons.
Typically, when a call to arms was issued, each landowning samurai was required to muster a pre-determined quantity of troops and equipment based on his wealth. Troops from all around the province would then converge at a designated place where they would be reorganised into battalions wielding similar weaponry and start practicing drills. The daimyō determined the chain of command for the campaign. The prominent retainers would act as bushō (general). A taishō (field marshal, commander-in-chief) would be appointed if the daimyō did not intend to take the role himself.
Each general commanded a division comprised of specialised battalions of cavalry, missile and melee troops mustered from their fiefs. These troops were only loyal to their direct lord and the daimyo, not the taishō or other generals. To reflect this, Japanese commanders who are not assigned as the Commander-in-Chief are classified as Ally-Generals. Their units cannot receive any command effects from other generals except the C-in-C.
The Japanese wielded a variety of weapons, the prominent ones being the katana (sword), yari (spear), naginata (polearm), yumi (bow) and teppō (matchlock). Contrary to popular depictions, the katana was just a sidearm and the yari was the weapon of choice due to its range and versatility. All classes of soldier, from the lowly ashigaru to the elite samurai, wore armour of lamellar construction.
Before 1530, mounted samurai would primarily use bows, similar to other East Asian cavalry. The switch to the yari and shock tactics happened around the 1530s, pioneered by the Takeda clan.
The main fighting force was foot samurai, augmented by ashigaru. Due to the rugged terrain, the Japanese utilised loose formations and fighting was done man-to-man, as depicted in martial arts and samurai films. Hence they are classified as Warriors.
In 1543, Portuguese merchants introduced matchlock firearms (teppō) to the Japanese. Teppō ashigaru infantry were deployed, but there weren’t enough firearms available to equip large units. These small units are classified as Light Foot and are primarily used as skirmish troops.
By 1551, as battles grew larger, more and more ashigaru infantry were being mustered, as a result of which the proportion of foot samurai in the army was somewhat reduced. The Battle of Nagashino in 1575 showed the Japanese that massed volley fire from firearms behind field defences could defeat samurai cavalry. From then on, teppō ashigaru formations were larger and did not engage in mere skirmishing tactics.
By 1577, samurai cavalry had lost its appeal due to changes in battlefield technology and tactics. And by 1592, ashigaru infantry tactics evolved into fighting in close formation. They would receive better training and form the backbone of the Late Sengoku Era army. Ashigaru infantry, including yumi and teppō armed units, are now classified as Medium Foot. A century of fighting also depleted the numbers of available samurai. Just like their mounted counterparts, foot samurai, who still fought man-to-man, were finding it harder to dominate the battlefield against organized peasant foot troops. The 1590s also introduced some other elements of modern warfare such as light artillery, but these were not used as extensively as on the Asian mainland.
Warrior-monks
Buddhist monks of various temples also trained for combat. They had to take up arms in order to protect their temples from rival sects. These warrior monks were called sōhei. During the Gempei War (1180-1185), the sōhei eventually became embroiled in secular politics as they joined the lords that supported their temple. This was repeated during the Sengoku Jidai and the daimyō were able to gain the support of sōhei from their local temples.
The monks’ weapon of choice was the naginata, a long-bladed polearm. They also used bows and matchlocks. Occasionally, they can be seen wearing armour underneath their robes but the majority were unarmoured.
Ikkō-ikki
Alongside the various japanese clans, you can also lead a different type of army which finds its origin in feudal Japan: the Ikkō-ikki. It was a militant movement which followed the beliefs of the Jōdo Shinshū (True Pure Land) sect of Buddhism which taught that all believers are equally saved by Amida Buddha's grace.
The Ikkō-ikki revolution gave some sōhei a new purpose. Instead of fighting for their temples and patrons, they fought under an ideology of equality and independence from the daimyō. Ikkō-ikki rebel armies were mostly made up of sōhei and supported by armed peasant mobs. Samurai who shared their ideals also joined but did not form separate units. The samurai fought alongside the monks and peasants and provided leadership as well as training.
We’ll cover each region in weekly previews, describing the available army lists, talking about their evolution and the weapons and tactics they employ.
Japan and its clans
Japan in the 16th century was a politically fractured reality: the Sengoku Jidai period (Warring States Era) was a period of civil war in Japan from 1467 to 1600. During that time, the Emperor of Japan was only a religious and ceremonial figure who delegated power to the Shōgun, the military governor of Japan. The era began with the Ōnin War (1467-1477) where a dispute between potential heirs to the Ashikaga Shogunate led to a civil war involving several daimyō and the destruction of Kyoto. Since then, the authority of the Shogunate had diminished while the daimyo increased their authority over their fiefs and fought against each other to expand their realms.
The era brought about the rise and fall of several prominent clans. Old families like the Imagawa and Hōjō would be eliminated. Some families would break away from their old masters and forge a path of their own, like the Tokugawa. The Takeda family, hailing from an agriculturally poor province, dominated central Japan through exploitation of their gold mines, and employed cunning military and political strategies against their neighbours. Peasants could become lords and make a name for themselves, like the Toyotomi.
An Oda army defending behind field fortifications against the Takeda
The armies of the Sengoku Jidai were manifestations of the feudal social structure of Japan, which revolved around kinsmen and vassals. The head of the clan and its army was the daimyō, literally translated as “great name”. He was supported by the kashindan. These were a group of blood relatives and retainers associated by family ties, marriage, filial oaths, and hereditary vassalage.
A standing army was uncommon but was popularised during the later years of the Sengoku Jidai. For the majority of the period, armies were composed of farmers who needed to stand down during the planting and harvesting seasons.
Typically, when a call to arms was issued, each landowning samurai was required to muster a pre-determined quantity of troops and equipment based on his wealth. Troops from all around the province would then converge at a designated place where they would be reorganised into battalions wielding similar weaponry and start practicing drills. The daimyō determined the chain of command for the campaign. The prominent retainers would act as bushō (general). A taishō (field marshal, commander-in-chief) would be appointed if the daimyō did not intend to take the role himself.
Each general commanded a division comprised of specialised battalions of cavalry, missile and melee troops mustered from their fiefs. These troops were only loyal to their direct lord and the daimyo, not the taishō or other generals. To reflect this, Japanese commanders who are not assigned as the Commander-in-Chief are classified as Ally-Generals. Their units cannot receive any command effects from other generals except the C-in-C.
The Japanese wielded a variety of weapons, the prominent ones being the katana (sword), yari (spear), naginata (polearm), yumi (bow) and teppō (matchlock). Contrary to popular depictions, the katana was just a sidearm and the yari was the weapon of choice due to its range and versatility. All classes of soldier, from the lowly ashigaru to the elite samurai, wore armour of lamellar construction.
Before 1530, mounted samurai would primarily use bows, similar to other East Asian cavalry. The switch to the yari and shock tactics happened around the 1530s, pioneered by the Takeda clan.
The main fighting force was foot samurai, augmented by ashigaru. Due to the rugged terrain, the Japanese utilised loose formations and fighting was done man-to-man, as depicted in martial arts and samurai films. Hence they are classified as Warriors.
In 1543, Portuguese merchants introduced matchlock firearms (teppō) to the Japanese. Teppō ashigaru infantry were deployed, but there weren’t enough firearms available to equip large units. These small units are classified as Light Foot and are primarily used as skirmish troops.
By 1551, as battles grew larger, more and more ashigaru infantry were being mustered, as a result of which the proportion of foot samurai in the army was somewhat reduced. The Battle of Nagashino in 1575 showed the Japanese that massed volley fire from firearms behind field defences could defeat samurai cavalry. From then on, teppō ashigaru formations were larger and did not engage in mere skirmishing tactics.
By 1577, samurai cavalry had lost its appeal due to changes in battlefield technology and tactics. And by 1592, ashigaru infantry tactics evolved into fighting in close formation. They would receive better training and form the backbone of the Late Sengoku Era army. Ashigaru infantry, including yumi and teppō armed units, are now classified as Medium Foot. A century of fighting also depleted the numbers of available samurai. Just like their mounted counterparts, foot samurai, who still fought man-to-man, were finding it harder to dominate the battlefield against organized peasant foot troops. The 1590s also introduced some other elements of modern warfare such as light artillery, but these were not used as extensively as on the Asian mainland.
Warrior-monks
Buddhist monks of various temples also trained for combat. They had to take up arms in order to protect their temples from rival sects. These warrior monks were called sōhei. During the Gempei War (1180-1185), the sōhei eventually became embroiled in secular politics as they joined the lords that supported their temple. This was repeated during the Sengoku Jidai and the daimyō were able to gain the support of sōhei from their local temples.
The monks’ weapon of choice was the naginata, a long-bladed polearm. They also used bows and matchlocks. Occasionally, they can be seen wearing armour underneath their robes but the majority were unarmoured.
Ikkō-ikki
Alongside the various japanese clans, you can also lead a different type of army which finds its origin in feudal Japan: the Ikkō-ikki. It was a militant movement which followed the beliefs of the Jōdo Shinshū (True Pure Land) sect of Buddhism which taught that all believers are equally saved by Amida Buddha's grace.
The Ikkō-ikki revolution gave some sōhei a new purpose. Instead of fighting for their temples and patrons, they fought under an ideology of equality and independence from the daimyō. Ikkō-ikki rebel armies were mostly made up of sōhei and supported by armed peasant mobs. Samurai who shared their ideals also joined but did not form separate units. The samurai fought alongside the monks and peasants and provided leadership as well as training.
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Of course I will buy this since it is by the Artisocrats - and when you get to the beta stage I volunteer for that too.
Beta tester
OOB Pacific Morning Sun
OOB Pacific US Marines
OOB Pacific Winter Wars
Panzer Corp Allied Corp 43,44, 45
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OOB Pacific Morning Sun
OOB Pacific US Marines
OOB Pacific Winter Wars
Panzer Corp Allied Corp 43,44, 45
On Steam I'm Spartacus
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
This is not actually by the Artisocrats (perhaps you meant the Winter War announce?).
Cheers
Pip
Cheers
Pip
follow me on Twitter here
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Have been watching this title and looks very interesting and will be buying way its looking so far.
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
The developer is Byzantine Games, whom also developed Pike and Shot : Campaigns.
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
I saw these two lines at the top left of the page Pip and thought it was ( I wondered where Luckas got the time to do this too? )
Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Moderators: Order of Battle Moderators, The Artistocrats
Anyway thank you for the correction and I will give it a try anyway - it looks like something I might like since I play a lot of Total War Rome the original.
Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Moderators: Order of Battle Moderators, The Artistocrats
Anyway thank you for the correction and I will give it a try anyway - it looks like something I might like since I play a lot of Total War Rome the original.
Beta tester
OOB Pacific Morning Sun
OOB Pacific US Marines
OOB Pacific Winter Wars
Panzer Corp Allied Corp 43,44, 45
On Steam I'm Spartacus
OOB Pacific Morning Sun
OOB Pacific US Marines
OOB Pacific Winter Wars
Panzer Corp Allied Corp 43,44, 45
On Steam I'm Spartacus
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Just been watching a "Lets play" made by Dastactic youtube. The Japanese Matchlock muskets seem way overpowered. Although the game is still in Beta, will this remain the same ? Right now the Matchlocks could win on thier own.
Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Actually they can't win on their own. Combined arms still necessary.stefankollers wrote:Just been watching a "Lets play" made by Dastactic youtube. The Japanese Matchlock muskets seem way overpowered. Although the game is still in Beta, will this remain the same ? Right now the Matchlocks could win on thier own.
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
I think you missed my point, the Matchlocks seem to cause casualties out of all proportion, considering the weapon they are using. I realise the units they are firing against are large and not protected with armour. Just seemed unbalanced to me.
Also what is the function of Generals ?
Also what is the function of Generals ?
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
In practice you will find that they are not overpowered. Bear in mind that DasTactic is playing the Imjin War campaign, where there is a 337% force multiplier. Hence the enemy unit of matchlocks numbers about 1600 men and the casualties are 3.37 times the casualties that the unit would inflict if it was in a skirmish game with standard strength units.stefankollers wrote:I think you missed my point, the Matchlocks seem to cause casualties out of all proportion, considering the weapon they are using. I realise the units they are firing against are large and not protected with armour. Just seemed unbalanced to me.
Against competent enemy units, they are useless in close combat.
Historically they were the Japanese trump card against the Koreans, especially in the early part of the war when the Korean troops were of low quality.
1) Units outside command range of a general are less manoeuvrable. (They lose their free 45 degree turn. This may not sound like much but in fact it often makes a significant difference). Normally generals exert command range only over the units in their own division, although the C-in-C can give command control to any units in his range.Also what is the function of Generals ?
2) Generals give a significant combat bonus (+50 POA) to the unit they are with when it is in close combat.
3) Generals give a cohesion test bonus to nearby units when their own unit is in close combat. (Inspiring by example).
4) Generals cause the unit they are with to take a rally test each turn if needed. (Without a general there is only a small chance of a unit taking a rally test each turn).
5) Generals can duel with an enemy general if their units are in close combat. Each general has his own duelling skill rating.
6) If a general is incapacitated (wounded/killed), which can only occur when his unit is in close combat, nearby friendly units take a cohesion test. The distance at which they have to test is greater for CinC and ally-generals (but ally generals only affect their own division)
7) Generals can move from unit to unit within their own division.
8 ) Generals get promoted or demoted in the strategic campaigns depending on their victories or defeats. This determines which general will be C-in-C of the army, which sub-generals, and which passed over for command of a division.
Richard Bodley Scott
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Thanks for the prompt and concise answers, I was unaware the units in campaign are larger than in skirmish mode. One last question will it be possible to play with the larger units in Skirmish ? Also the AI "seems" more challenging, I know dastactic is not a bad player, facing the Japanese seems a daunting challenge, I guess the Koreans are playing catch up regarding their units. It looks great fun. I have to say the graphics are slowly growing on me, I can see what the Team is trying to reproduce, sadly for me the map looks like a sea of mud, I would love to see green green grass.
Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Well the Koreans are really out matched at that stage. They are proud of their archery tradition and shunned firearms. They were shocked when they faced the Japanese Teppō units. Reforms later in the war allowed for more frequent use of arquebus.stefankollers wrote:I think you missed my point, the Matchlocks seem to cause casualties out of all proportion, considering the weapon they are using. I realise the units they are firing against are large and not protected with armour. Just seemed unbalanced to me.
Also what is the function of Generals ?
What you are seeing comes from standard Pike and Shot game mechanics and the disparity comes from the differences in doctrine. The typical Korean 500 man battalion is composed of 50% bows and 50% polearms. The Japanese Teppō battalion has 100% arquebus and they are armored. So the Korean bows have longer range but diminished damage potential due to only 50% firing and the targets are armored. The Japanese on the other hand has more shooters so they are more devastating. To defeat the Teppō the Koreans need to employ other tactics and not just rely on stand off shooting. Koreans will get hold of arquebus later in the war. The Chinese (not played by Dastactic) would fare much better as they have more shooters per battalion and use various firearms. The armor of the Japanese will be negated. The Japanese are no better than European full arquebus units, well maybe except for their armor. But all this is considered in then unit's cost.
Generals have been discussed here:
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtop ... 21&t=71773
And yes, that campaign has more men per unit as per standard so you see more casualties.
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Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
Not at present. The force multiplier, however, is just there so we can represent the larger numbers involved in certain campaigns without making the game unplayable. It doesn't alter the way the units behave, it just alters the displayed numbers of men and casualties.stefankollers wrote:One last question will it be possible to play with the larger units in Skirmish ?
Richard Bodley Scott
Re: Sengoku Jidai - Faction preview I - Japan
It also can be used to make small battles interesting (more units but less men per unit).