|
These figures represent the Japanese Soldiers of the Azuchi-Momoyama
or Late Warring Kingdoms period.
In 1543 a Portugese vessel with a cargo of firearms bound
for China was blown off course and landed in Japan. The introduction
of firearms that resulted revolutionised Japanese warfare
and culminated in wars of unification, initiated by the tactically
gifted Oda Nobunaga and completed by his protege Toyotomi
Hideyoshi.
This period also saw the ill fated invasion of Korea (1592-1598)
in which the Japanese not only fought the Koreans but also
the Ming Chinese (Jurchen/Manchu).
To allow more freedom to the sculptor for poses (and ease
of casting), the two sword combination (Katana / Wakizashi)
worn by the many of the Samurai & Ashigaru is provided
as a separate casting in the packs to glue in place if desired.
|
