Manda's (Amachan) Samurai Warband

The base colour for the armour plates will be Vallejo Model Color Black Grey (70.862) where the lacing on the armour (where visible) will be for the majority Vallejo Model Color Deep Green (70.970) with some accents of Vallejo Model Color Vermillion (70.909) on the Samurai to make them stand out a bit. Any decorative bits will be painted with Vallejo Game Color Polished Gold (72.055). The armour has all been issued by their lord so should look similar between models. I will not add any iconography to the armour, this is a personal choice.

For the Sashimomo (banner/flag) I’m going to use Vallejo Model Color Golden Olive (70.857) for the main bit and Vallejo Model Air White Grey (71.119) for the bits attaching it to the wooden frame. I will not add any iconography to the Sashimomo, this is a personal choice.

For the fabrics the Ashigaru are wearing I will use the following chart and roll a D10 for the upper and lower clothes. So they will all look unique since they didn’t particularly have uniforms. For the Samurai I will hand pick the colours I want and they may not necessarily from this chart.

1. Vallejo Model Color Golden Olive (70.857)
2. Vallejo Model Color Pale Blue (70.906)
3. Vallejo Panzer Aces Light Mud (70.315)
4. Vallejo Model Color Medium Sea Grey (70.870)
5. Vallejo Model Color Beige (70.917)
6. Vallejo Game Color Goblin Green (72.030)
7. Vallejo Model Color Desert Yellow (70.977)
8. Vallejo Model Color Azure (70.902)
9. Vallejo Game Color Beasty Brown (72.043)
10. Vallejo Model Air USN Sea Blue (71.295)

For the Hachimaki (headband), Uwa-obi (sash/belt) and the white cloth hanging from the Jingasa (hat/light helmet) will be painted with Vallejo Model Air White Grey (71.119)

The Tabi (socks) I will paint with Vallejo Model Air Aged White (71.132) and the Waraji (sandals) with Vallejo Panzer Aces Old Wood (70.310).

For the metal bits on the weapons I will use a base coat of Vallejo Metal Color Burnt Iron (77.721) with a drybrush of Vallejo Model Air Steel (71.065). Any decorative bits will be painted with Vallejo Game Color Polished Gold (72.055).

The main body for the Yumi (bow) is lacquered wood and I will paint it Vallejo Model Color Black Grey (70.862) and the binding or straw bits on it will be painted Vallejo Panzer Aces Old Wood (70.310).

For the rest of the lacquered wood I will use a combination of Vallejo Model Color Black Grey (70.862) & Vallejo Model Color Flat Red (70.957) in different situations to add some variety.

Non-lacquered wood I will paint with Vallejo Model Color Mahogany Brown (70.846).

For the grips of the Katana (and all other bladed weapons with a similar grip) I will again use a random table, this time based on a D6. For the Samurai I may hand pick the colours like I would with the fabrics.

1. Vallejo Model Color Deep Green (70.970)
2. Vallejo Model Color Vermillion (70.909)
3. Vallejo Model Color Dark Blue (70.930)
4. Vallejo Model Color Black Grey (70.862)
5. Vallejo Model Color Sand Yellow (70.916)
6. Vallejo Model Color Golden Olive (70.857)

For the basing I will use a base coat of Vallejo Panzer Aces Dark Mud (70.316) and than add a coat of Vallejo Earth Texture Dark Earth (26.218) on the top. While this last coat is still wet I add a couple of tufts, maybe a log or a rock and then lightly sprinkle some static grass over it. This will make a bit of a worn summer/spring like battlefield look.

My sources for this colour scheme is a combination of the Ashigaru 1467-1649 book from Osprey Publishing and some screenshots for the Shimazu clan from Total War: Shogun 2 with the Alternative Clan Colours mod installed. Links in the list to the mod and the book below. And further down are the screenshots I used for reference.