"sohei and yamabushi robe colors" Topic

I have some sohei from Perry Bros on order and have been googling around looking at photos of painted minis and have even found some photos of modern Yamabushi in japan.
The consensus of mini painters seems to be a predominantly black or dark blue robe while the "modern" yamabushi are all clad in a light tan to saffron robe.
My question. Is there a right or wrong way to paint sohei?
are there different colors for different "orders" or different "ranks" among certain orders?
Should the leaders have different robes or the same color?
I have already googled this and I can't find anything definite.

Thanks

Mongo

Mongo:

I had the same "luck" trying to research those colors for their robes. Even the Osprey Japanese Warrior Monks book doesn't really answer the question. It rather vaguely states that "…the outer robe being white, tan or saffron." – p. 28. What was a little enlightening was watching a few scenes from "Tales of the Taira Clan". It's about the later-Heian period (1100's) and shows a bunch of the monks storming out of their stronghold. The procession has most of them in black, with a few in the front wearing yellow and orange robes. I took this as their leaders. Then again this could be purely artistic convention by the director. In any case, I ended up painted the majority of my monks in black robes with a few in either yellow and orange. Sorry I couldn't refer you to more authoritative sources. Dean

Thanks Dean

I have seen your photos. Excellent work.
I did notice that the majority of yours were in black with a few in orange or yellow. I like the idea of that and that is what I will probably do.
I was also thinking of picking up the Kingsford Sohei pack so as to have a couple of very large monks.

Mongo

This site helps a little bit with costumes and clothing of different Japanese periods. Somewhere there is a drawing of a Sohei.

iz2.or.jp/english/index.htm

I've done my first ten in dark blue robes and a bone white for the other bits.

picture

I've got more useful links at our Yahoo Newsletter which can be joined from the retail website at kingsfordminiatures.org

We have a re-order for the Sohei so they should be in stock shortly.

Have a Merry Christmas!

David

David,
I just e-mailed you today to ask about the re-stock. I am already signed up for the newsletter.

Mongo