It's been a while...

Well, where has the last year gone?

Actually I can answer the above question. In March 2012 I moved to Japan to teach English; and I am still here. Yes indeedy with arriving in a new country, setting up my apartment, traveling around Japan and ... err ... oh yes, working, I've had little time to pursue this hobby of mine. 

Until now.

I finished my first year at school last month and with the ability of recycling my lesson plans from last year, to this year (plus completing setting up my apartment), I now not only find myself with time to starting painting a new army, but in fact I need to start the hobby again so that I don't spend all of my free time watching films and eating chocolate. Therefore, on a Saturday afternoon in mid-February, I preempted this 'new year lack of activities' when I emailed my parents (who, by the way, came over to see me last month) with a list of items I wanted from the UK. Within that list was an 1,000pt army ...

... but a 1,000pts of what?

Firstly, GW models were out as they are extremely expensive; secondly, I wanted to do something in connection to where I am currently located. It therefore didn't take me long to realise that a samurai army was for me. The scale was an easy choice too; 10mm models from magister militumn are the perfect size for Warmaster ancients. Warmaster ancients; I've had the rulebook on my shelf for quite a while. I've read countless excellent reviews about the game and so, I thought, it was time to delve into it. 

£75.00 was all it was to get over 300x 10mm samurai models and so, after sending that email, on that February afternoon, I waited eagerly for a reply.

Time has passed and three weeks ago I met my parents at Narita airport (Tokyo). Of course I said hello first, but then I quickly asked if they had brought 'the army' with them. A positive look, mixed with a 'is that all you care about' look was slapped across their faces but, two days before, I had been to GW Tokyo to buy paints, brushes and other 'bits n bobs' (GW is expensive in the UK; but with import tax I almost abandoned the whole idea it was so ridiculous) and so it was nice to know that I actually had something to paint.

Three weeks have passed and my parents have now gone home. Below is what they sent me which, if I'm honest, doesn't look a lot from the photo:

Today I spent two hours cleaning up 160 Ashigaru and realised two things. Firstly I remembered how much I hate cleaning figures and secondly, this may take a while so don't expect too many 'progress' updates.