Preset-Formations

[Shoko]

The Japanese had several elaborate pre-battle formations.There were 22 formations in all,each named after the image they were derived upon.Examples,
GANKO(birds in flight)
SAKU (keyhole)
KENRAN(danceing sword)
Anybody know where i can find diagrams on these?

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Shoko Emperor
Die by the Sword

[Yagyu Jubei]

I would really like to see those too m8. I sometimes use those formations that the game gives us options for. I like bird and keyhole and arrow

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Watashiwa Yagyu Jubei desu! Ganbate!

[Shoko]

Yeah there must be on the web somewhere?But i cant find umm...
If not anybody know any book with all these in that i can purchase?

[NZ Tanuki]

Quote Originally posted by Shoko:
The Japanese had several elaborate pre-battle formations.There were 22 formations in all,each named after the image they were derived upon.Examples,
GANKO(birds in flight)
SAKU (keyhole)
KENRAN(danceing sword)
Anybody know where i can find diagrams on these?

[/QUOTE]

Stephen Turnbull's _Samurai Armies: 1550-1615_, Osprey Men At Arms Series, London, 1979, p. 11 illustrates the 7 major formations.

Hope this is of some small assistance.

Regards,
NZ Tanuki

[Ii Naomasa]

Argh! Out posted again by my unwillingness to write a short post! NZ Tanuki gives the answer I wasn't sure of. Please disregard my first paragraph.

If I remember correctly, one of the Osprey Press Samurai books has diagrams of some of the more common ones. I'm currently at work and therefore can't tell you which, but I'll give you the name over the weekend.

Most of the formations are difficult to emulate in Shogun because they involved curved lines, which of course you can't do. Since most battles don't flow like they would historically, there's little point to them anyway in Shogun. One of the benefits of formations was to quickly shift troops. Because you don't have to deal with communication and visual issues in Shogun (as you can just click on units and tell them where to go), it's unfortunately something that isn't fully realized in the game.

[This message has been edited by Ii Naomasa (edited 09-28-2001).]