Land of the Samurai

These are shots of how these dioramas were prepared. The Tenshu, or main castle, and the level baileys which are called Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru. After all the materials are gathered, the majority of the work is spent waiting for paints to set, flock to dry, and the room to clear of fumes from texturing the styrofoam. Important safety tip, ALWAYS cut and texture foam in a well ventilated area, or outside preferably.

1) The floors and walls were measured and cut.
2) The Tenshu was preassembled and set aside for the Honmaru measurement.
3) After the Honmaru were textured with my woodburner, they were painted.
4) The individual tenshu walls were painted both interior and exterior.
5) Once dry, the gunholes and windows were cut, as well as roof details.
6) Windows and interior decorations were added.
7) Drying time under a hot lamp.
8) With the Temple and Tenshu done, the Honmaru halves were joined and the grounds and foliage were built up.

With the main Tenshu done, it was time for the miscellaneous details. The walls were constructed, and gunholes added. The interiors were given wooden floors as well as rice paper screens and doors. Tatami, the reed mats were added to the specific rooms on both the tatami room and upper level tea room. Also, in the upper level, a trap door was fitted over the lower level stairway for added protection. The miscellaneous images of calligraphy, and period portraits of Ieyasu Tokugawa were added to set the period.

These are various outer walls and baileys that offer protection besides the main gates and doors. Footpaths with inlaid individual flat granite stones give the diorama a very realistic feel. Additional gunholes were added along the walls.

This is the period Temple I created in addition to the Castle. In this piece, there is a main Tenshu, with an outer courtyard that has a rooved temple bell. The balcony, on the upper level, is a three-quarter landing, only the front and sides are accessible. The interior is the temple is complete with rice paper screens and walls, a temple dais, wall decorations of the various deities. The mural in the center has a cherry blossom pattern done in gold from a Japanese stamp. The steps, shown cut into the Honmaru, are tiled and lead to the inner courtyard and stone footpaths.

In the picture above, a 25mm Ninja figure from the old Shogun game was added to show the scale and feel of these pieces.