Japanese Warfare wih Hail Caesar?

[irondog]

From one who reads a lot about the period,
The pike and shotte rules will NOT, i say again NOT work. The Japanese never fought like they did in the west. There Yari may have been pike length in some clans (no all clans). And the Ashigaru were part of the Bushido class so single combat, even in formation was honored. If that makes any scene. The list on the yahoo groups is pretty close to the studying I have found. Treat the teppo as they do in the list on the yahoo group. If you do not like the way it is on the list, treat them as heavy crossbow. Also , keep in mind the Japanese organized there troops in type. Yari missile (sometimes teppo and yumi too keep missile fire up while the teppo reloaded), and Samurai Here are the changes I am making from the Yahoo list:
1) No pike, treat them as long spear per the list.
2) No Ninja, really? If you really want to paint a guy in black pajamas (they wore other colors depending on the weather/terrain) treat them per the sniper rule in Pike and Shotte. Can't kill but can bother a leader for a turn.
3) No Ronin. Best left for a skirmish game. Whole armies would change sides if there Daiymo was killed. In a era of constant warfare it would be a waste to loose a bunch of trained and armed troops.
4) In the late period limit either side to 1 gun and once deployed it cannot move. Senikahara (sp) was one of the few battles were guns were deployed (and it was in 1600). Osaka was a siege in 1615. Some clans may have the option of "off board" artillery being supported by naval ships either Japanese or in some clans a Portuguese ship.
5) Limit the Hatamato one to the army Diamyo. It should only be used as a last resort or to finish the deal (Think of them as the Old Guard). They should have to stay next to the head Diaymos Maku (Immobile command)

This is a great peroid and I have thrown out more that 400 of Perry's Samurai figures more than once. I look foward to using these rules woth them

[janner]

Thanks irondog - some very good pointers there and I've been following your posts on the yahoo group with interest. So many Samurai lists get diverted by popular requests for Ninja etc. good to see some common sense prevailing

[Cubster]

2) No Ninja, really? If you really want to paint a guy in black pajamas (they wore other colors depending on the weather/terrain) treat them per the sniper rule in Pike and Shotte. Can't kill but can bother a leader for a turn.

I believe the myth of the black suit stemmed from misunderstandings about Kabuki theatre and people dressed in black (meant to be ignored in Kabuki, like strings in a puppet show) apparently 'killing' characters who fall over dead with knives in their backs and stuff.