Monday 7 October 2013

Inspiration and background (1)

I forgot my Camera! What! What has that got to do with inspiration and background? Clint you have lost it! I would normally do a club AAR on Sunday after club but as I forgot my camera it might not be a very good AAR so I am back talking about Samurai!

Many of you will know I live in Gillingham in Kent. What many of you will not realise is that Gillingham is twinned with a couple of Japanese towns. Yes I know most towns have a twin town but why has Gillingham been twined with towns in Japan? You will have noticed the book and DVD on the right. That's a big clue. Change all the names and this book was pretty much a true story, obviously adapted into a story and then TV series. The lead character in this story is "John Blackthorne" who was based on "Will Adams". And "Will Adams" was born in Gillingham. ( Click HERE for the wiki!).
The Will Adams Monument on the A2

Antony J Bryant in the osprey Campaign book "Sekigahara" hi-lights this connection and goes on to say that the Shogun book has the political setting about right. Thus we have a local history link to my current wargaming interest. In fact I would say more than local history as it does link to the Far East and that can hardly be considered local.

One of the plaques on the monument.
While the monument was erected in 1934 and the events go back circa 1600 AD until the towns were twinned most people in this area were unaware of this person. More recently however roads, roundabouts and medical centres have all taken the Will Adams name. So growing up I was not made aware of this local hero. Typically English understatement the town did not celebrate and hardly acknowledge William Adams. Personally I think we could do with a grander monument and perhaps a small visitor centre, nothing too fancy perhaps a permanent display in a local museum. (There are no museums in Gillingham we ain't very cultural here!)

OK enough of the waffle and back to the wargaming. So I thought to post this to show that some background to wargaming need not be all stuffy and involve much reading. And indeed can have local and international overtones.Obviously I am reading around the subject as well as re-reading "Shogun" by James Cavell for the third time ( you can see by the cover it has been read a few times already, and I got it second hand as well). It is a most excellent book and TV series and I would recommend it without hesitation even if you are not interested in wargaming with Samurai. For me it is very gratifying to have such a strong local link and to think that "Will Adams" was the FIRST western Samurai!

I should have some more painted figures by the time Wednesday comes around for my next post. I had anticipated a game report today so I had nothing varnished and ready to photograph. So until Wednesday when I will do my next update I hope you found something of interest here today. Not very wargaming I'll have to admit, but I think it is of interest and with luck I hope you do too.

Best Wishes Clint.
















16 comments:

  1. It's the same up here in the Northern Wastelands where many of our historic characters I'm guessing are unknown to the general populace too - Havelock, and Collingwood spring immediately to mind (and probably Stephenson to many).

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    1. We have such a rich and vibrant history in this country. We should celebrate it more.

      I just thought it a pleasant tie in to the Samurai army I am currently assembling.

      Thank you Jo of the Northern Wastes

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  2. I read that book when I was a teen and liked it a great deal. Me thinks the story would have been a bit different had the first Western Samurai come from Cork. Seriously, can you picture it without laughing?

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    1. I was doing OK without laughing until the last line. It is great to know the book is based on reality and that it was a guy from my home town.

      Thank you Anne.

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  3. Yes, I too read the book and saw the film when I was younger; enjoyed both very much. Thanks for reminding me of them!

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    1. I like it even more that I know it's based on real events. I too read and watched a long while ago and now I am sorting out some figures for this period it is worth watching and reading again I think.

      Cheers Colgar.

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  4. Can't say I've read the book about the first samurai, but I've seen the film about the last one! :P

    As for forgetting local heritage, don't even get me started here, hehe.

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    1. Which tells you if he had been an American there would have been several films about him.

      Thank you Mathyoo I will say no more today about forgetting local heritage...... unless someone else mentions it!"

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  5. I must have a look at Shogun, didn't real do it justice the first time round.

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    1. It's still good but dated in camera angles dialogue etc. But still very good.

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  6. Love my Shogun book and TV series and heave read about Mr,Adams too, The Sengoku period is one of my all time favourites!

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    1. As a period it really does offer many wargames opportunities specially for a campaign. Imagine if Postie put it on in the shed of war and he told you that you have the option of not supporting your ally until you knew if he was going to win or not! Think of the ramifications to any alliances.

      Now that I have planted the seed!!!!!

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  7. I have been to the train station named after Will Adams.

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    1. And now you know he comes from my home town. Out of curiosity where was the train station?
      Thank you Shelldrake

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