Second Impression: Upcoming Kensei faction: The Empire of Katai

 *All images in this article are taken from the Official Kensei Facebook page. 

Recently Zenit Miniatures revealed more info about the upcoming Kensei/Torii faction, The Empire of Katai, and announced that the new range will be coming to Kickstarter soon. As before, I will write a quick impression about the recent update.

Lore update

It is revealed that the Empire of Katai established a floating fortress at the northernmost part of Hyumkai (Japan in the Kensei setting). While that's cool and all, I can't help but feel like it is just asking to be Kamikaze'd.

Impression of random new stuffs

Faction Emblem

I am not sure if this round logo (pictured left) is meant to represent the faction emblem of the Empire of Katai, although I think a five-petal flower is an odd choice for a Chinese emblem. I actually prefer the old emblem (pictured right) over this one, even though that one is just a generic Chinese New Year emblem meaning "long life".

Qin Dynasty joins the fray!

It seems that the Katai Empire will no longer be a fantasised version of Ming China anymore, but will include bits and pieces from various imperial dynasties. To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it's good to have more variety, but on the other hand, throwing all those dynasties together will almost always result in a jumbled mess of suck, even in a fantasy setting. It's the equivalent of having Yayoi-period warriors fighting side by side with gun-toting ashigaru, or Roman legionaries fighting side by side with pistol-armed cuirassiers.

(Some ramblings)

While China has had about twelve major imperial dynasties, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, I can roughly group these periods into six categories:

1) Pre-unification: Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, as well as Spring and Autumn period

2) War to unify China: Warring States and Qin Dynasty

3) Early imperial: Han Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms, as well as Southern and Northern Dynasties period

4) Golden age: Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, as well as Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period

5) Later imperial: Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty

6) Manchu rule: Qing Dynasty

Broadly speaking, dynasties under the same category have similar aesthetics, and are compatible with the categories directly above or below them. For example, in a "Fantasy Ming China" setting I can slip in Song Dynasty elements without worrying about them sticking out like a sore thumb. I can even get away with a little Tang or Qing Dynasty elements if I am careful. However if I throw some Han Dynasty stuff into it, then that will look messy and extremely out of place.

(end of ramblings)

By the way, Chinese double arc shield was gripped at the centre, not strapped to the arm. Also, this so-called "Jian swordmen" is awearing what should be classified as Qin officer armour, instead of armour used by the rank-and-file.

Impression on various models

Hero with Pudao/"Tang Berserker"

I've reviewed this model when it was first teased, but the painted model looks fairly different, and much better, than before, so I figured I should write something again. 

Overall, the model gives off a strong Tang Dynasty vibe. Although his equipment isn't even close to historically accurate, he looks really good for a "Fantasy" Chinese general. His belt, now painted with tiger stripes, no longer looks like sumo sash, which is a big plus for me. The weapon doesn't look like a Pudao, but it may pass for a Tang period Modao (陌刀) so it's fine. My only problem with the model is that his groin armour is placed underneath his thigh armour - it must be incredibly awkward to walk in that armour (it should be noted that there are some Chinese statues that depict similar armour configuration).

"Sword-and-board"

So it seems that these sword-and-board guys are really meant to be troops rather than special character, which is nice. Their double arc shields are now given to Qin swordsmen, and they are given round shields instead. While the shields are not exactly accurate, I still think this is a big improvement.

Chariot

Possibly the most anachronistic model in the entire Katai range. What I see is presumably a Han chariot with oddly bent shafts and yoke, pulled by two horses in what I think are Shang Dynasty gears, with a Qin charioteer and a Song/Ming halberdier.

Historical accurate ancient Warring States chariot should be pulled by four horses, usually barded, and carry three passengers.

Mounted troops

Cataphracts: They are fairly nice and seemingly based on a Tang Dynasty cataphract figurine. I hope they get better shields (i.e. significantly smaller shield boss or no shield boss) and pennoned lances though. 

Cavalry: Loosely based on Song or Ming cavalry, but I have no idea why they are wielding katanas.

Foot soldiers

(I've wrote about the spearmen before, so I will not discuss them here)

Three-eyed gunners: Three-eyed gunner armour is my favourite (read: closest to accurate) among all Katai models thus far, so much so that I actually wish other Katai troop models also have this armour! Their three-eyed guns are pretty nice too and sensibly porpotioned.

Qin halberdiers: Just your typical Qin terracotta warriors armed with Qin halberds, but again wearing officer armours.

Spear Wukong and dragon gun

Spear Wukong: I am not entirely sure if he is really based on our favourite Monkey King, but he does look slightly like a monkey.

Dragon gun: This cannon looks like it is coming straight out of Kungfu Panda cartoon. It is definitely the fantasiest of all fantasy weapons.

Except it really did exist!

Monk: I am not sure if he is a monk, or just has a Manchu queue. In any case, his shirt is reversed (should be folded right over left, not left over right).

By the way, he seems to be holding a botofeux, maybe he is the artilleryman of that dragon gun?

Until next update!