Fuggit Khan:
Nice progress so far…I’ve been enjoying this thread immensely. I especially like that you scratch build lots of things from wood :hat off
Willmark:
Castle Update
Didn’t feel like working on the army tonight so I worked on the castle instead. That’s one nice thing about doing both simultaneously, I can work on the one that strikes my interest on a given night.
Right now I’m at the major milestone for the castle it wont be getting any taller. For scale I think its good compared to GW scenery or other scenery I’ve made, but as I’ve said all along. Castles are big!
I didn’t take any close ups of the roofs but Ive worked out a way to do terra-cotta looking roofs. I take large sheets of cardboard ans soak them for a few minutes to loosen the glue. Once its loosens its a simple matter to pull off the parts you want. Let them dry and when ready glue them on. (the masking tape is bracing stuff while it dries.)
I vaguely remembered the idea form a White Dwarf and sure enough I dug out issue #266 and the article was there.
I also have some left over Spackle to use to fill in ends of walls where the cardboard shows through and other goofs spots.
Next up is glue the third level roofs (they are only taped right now and finishing the upper deck and upper roof. From there its time for more roof sections. The base with what will be stone is a job for when I feel like doing something mindless 
Anyways here it is as it stands now.
Topota:
oh! interesting army and cool WIP Meiji castle!! Im wainting for more 
Willmark:
Castle update
So one month later… This didn’t take me one month of work more like a couple of days off and on. So what did I accomplish? Take a look at the lower walls… that’s a lot to glue on! :o
I’ve also got my technique for separating the glue from the backing on cardboard which I’m using for the roofs.
1. Cut the cardboard out so it fits in a sink, (kitchen works best).
2. Use warm but not to warm water.
3. Leave the cardboard in only long enough to get it to separate, usually no more then 2-3 minutes tops. Otherwise it will over saturate and flatten the cardboard, what you are trying to preserve is the ridges.
4. Find a flat place for the sections to dry.
Anyways here is my progress thus far with the bases now done and the start of the roofs. The stairs and the doors to the entry hall need work, or in the case of the doors constructed.
ClawLeader:
Cool castle willmark, hope they got plumbing in there…
Fuggit Khan:
Looking very nice! A question though, how do you paint cardboard? I have tried it in the past and always failed miserably…do you have some technique you can share with us? A sealer of some sort?
Yodrin:
Looks very nice so far!!
Kera foehunter:
very nice work Will mark it always great to see you working on some project:cheers
Admiral:
Nice! I only hope the structure will have enough stability and integrity from its skeleton framework to survive the many years it deserves to be used frequently in games. There are sturdier though less available and more expensive materials which could work instead of cardboard.
Willmark:
Cool castle willmark, hope they got plumbing in there...Its a Nippon castle, plumbling? Pffffft chamber pot bombs.
ClawLeader
Looking very nice! A question though, how do you paint cardboard? I have tried it in the past and always failed miserably...do you have some technique you can share with us? A sealer of some sort?Spray paint- flat. I'm also experimenting with building spackle on the joint sections.
Fuggit Khan
Nice! I only hope the structure will have enough stability and integrity from its skeleton framework to survive the many years it deserves to be used frequently in games. There are sturdier though less available and more expensive materials which could work instead of cardboard.The base is exceptionally sturdy, the frame will be getting reinforced. Ive worked on it a bit since these photos and the upper platform will be/is very sturdy as I'm gluing down Popsicle sticks similar to the main from which was solid when the glue dried.
Admiral
Willmark:
Anyone have an idea on scale on these? Particularity how they compare to ogres? My guess is they will be a bit smaller, question is how much?
Bloodbeard:
Roughly the size of mantic ogres, but broader. Smaller than GWs.
Willmark:
But from the sound of it they are at least in the ballpark? Obviously I can built the bases up a bit too to compensate, I’ve already thought of the obvious like to rocks, put a few on a bamboo mat, that sort of stuff. EDIT: from the look of it the mini will work out in terms of scale.
Reason being these guys are going to be my ogres for the army. I’ve found one other sumo mini out there but it was fairly skinny.
Bloodbeard:
Hiatus or not, I hope you might check in when there’s a respond to your blog.
I think iit’s worth checking out this Kickstarter: Rise of the Kage
It’s a ninja board game with 28 mm. But with all the current stretch goal (and 8 days to go) you’ll get a lot of miniatures for a decent price.
Baggronor:
Worth a look:
Kensei Miniatures do some very nice monsters. Think the regular guys are larger then 28mm though.
And you already know of Bushido; again, their regular bods are larger than GW scale but some nice pieces there. The Oni are great, I think they have 8 in total too.
If you want a dragon, then the LoTR Cave Drake converts well. Good size too. Or you can scour eBay for the Clan Wars dragons, they were pretty cool. One here now: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L5R-Legends-of-the-five-rings-Clan-Wars-Fire-Dragon-99-003-box-New-Metal-Huge-5-/281429371679?pt=Games_US&hash=item41867f6b1f
Wrath of Kings are also worth keeping an eye on.
The Immortal Beard:
Nice idea! Wargames Factory makes a line of miniatures with a Japanese theme. The “Rising Sun” line.
wargamesfactory.com - wargamesfactory Resources and Information.
It is all 28mm scale. It might suit your needs!
Mivrash Faz:
Nice idea! Wargames Factory makes a line of miniatures with a Japanese theme. The "Rising Sun" line.I haven't seen their Samurai stuff, but I have some of their mini's and they're not bad at all. Details pretty good especially the faces.
http://www.wargamesfactory.com/webstore/rising-sun
It is all 28mm scale. It might suit your needs!
The Immortal Beard
Willmark:
I’m hoping at some point to pick these guys back up again… Darn real life getting in the way.
Willmark:
I'm hoping at some point to pick these guys back up again... Darn real like getting in the way.
Willmark
Grimstonefire:
You know what you should do, just try and paint one model a month. I know it sounds like nothing, but that’s what I’ve been trying to stick to even during really busy times. It keeps your interest in the hobby and very slowly you do see the progress. 
If Ike is getting in the way you should tell him to move! Sorry, couldn’t resist.