Japanese Army Lists for ‘Hordes of the Things
by Luke Ueda-Sarson
These lists are presented as three matched pairs covering mythological, legendary and semi-historical Japan.
Mythylogical Japanese, the rise of Japan:
Imperial Descent:
1 x Hero General - the crown prince
1 x Hero - a loyal sidekick, but also of incredible valour, possibly a brother
1 x Cleric - ancient seer dispensing magical artifacts to heroes in need
2 x Riders - imperial troops
2 x Spears - trained militia regiments on Chinese pattern
2 x Shooters - trained militia regiments on Chinese pattern
1 x Horde - untrained miltia
(option - replace Seer with Oyumi (Artillery) - stand-mounted Chinese-stylelarge crossbow)
Stronghold: T'ang-Chinese style walled city
Kumaso:
1 x Magician General - animistic shaman with great powers over the land
1 x Dragon - wingless version, fated to be slain by imperial prince
1 x Behemoth - Oni (giant), with demonic powers
1 x Water lurkers - Kappa - mischevious water goblins
1 x Lurkers - Kumo, and other such creatures of entrapment
1 x Lurkers - Tengu - very long-nosed goblin, fight with swords
1 x Lurkers - ambushing tribal archers in furs with concealed arrows
4 x Shooters - tribal warriors with bows
Stronghold - Palisaded hill-fort
Gempei Wars Semi-historical:
Minamoto:
1 x Hero General - Yoshitsune
1 x Hero - Benkei the ultra-strong monk
1 x Cleric - with warrior monks escorting mikoshi shrine (priests of Gion,etc, enraged with the Taira)
2 x Riders - Samurai from the Kanto
4 x Blades - other eastern Bushi with naginata and light armour
1 x Horde - followers on foot
Stronghold - Palisaded hill-fort
Taira:
1 x Hero General - Kiyomori
3 x Riders - Samurai - Imperial guards and Taira nobles
5 x Shooters - other weatern Bushi with bow and heavy armour
1 x Blade - warrior monks opposed to those of Gion, etc
2 x Hordes - followers on foot
Stronghold - Unwalled Japanese city
Sengokujidai Semi-historical (cf Kagemusha)
Takeda:
1 x Blade General - fake Daimyo seated amongst bodyguards
1 x Hero - Impetuous son of the late Daimyo
3 x Knights - Takeda horse with yari
3 x Blades - Samurai on foot with yari or naginata
1 x Shooters - Ashiguru with bow
2 x Spears - Ashiguru with yari
Stronghold - Japanese castle
Oda:
1 x Hero General - the unifier of Japan himself, with mounted escort
1 x Sneaker - Ninja, adept at hiding in toilets (truly!)
3 x Blades - Samurai on foot with yari or naginata
3 x Shooters - Teppotai arquebusiers
2 x Spears - Ashiguru with yari
1 x Horde - peasants drafted in for seige work
Stronghold - Japanese castle