Gassho-Minka (合掌民家)

The Heart of the Satoyama: The 28mm Gassho-Minka Farmhouse

Immerse your tabletop in the mist-covered mountains of feudal Japan. The Gassho-Minka is not merely a building; it is a testament to survival, a centerpiece of culture, and a masterclass in architectural heritage. Designed with surgical precision for the 28mm scale, this model brings the soul of the Japanese countryside—the Satoyama—to your gaming board with a level of detail that bridges the gap between a mere game piece and a historical artifact.

A Marvel of Historical Architecture
The name Gassho (合掌) refers to the iconic steep-pitched roof, resembling hands pressed together in prayer. Historically, these structures were engineered to withstand the crushing weight of heavy winter snowfalls in regions like Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.

Our model captures every nuance of this traditional construction. From the heavy Kayabuki (thatch) textures that look as though they were hand-laid by village artisans, to the exposed timber framing and the raised Engawa (veranda), every millimeter of this sculpt tells a story. The weathered wood grain and the stone-supported foundation pillars reflect a world where man and nature lived in a delicate, beautiful balance.

Engineered for Perfection: The Support-Free Revolution
For the modern hobbyist, the greatest challenge of high-detail scenery is often the cleanup. We have solved this through intelligent, “stealth” geometry, first engineered and invented by Iain Lovecraft. This Gassho-Minka has been meticulously engineered to be 100% support-free.

By utilizing specific angles of incidence and self-supporting overhangs within the thatch and timber joints, we have eliminated the need for tedious plastic scaffolding. This means:

Zero Scarring: No clip marks or pockmarked surfaces on your beautiful model.

Material Efficiency: Save on filament and reduce waste.

Print-and-Play: Go from your printer bed to the painting desk instantly.

Structural Integrity: The model prints as a solid, robust piece designed to survive the rigors of tabletop combat and frequent transport.

Whether you are running a high-speed FDM setup or a precision-tuned machine, the geometry ensures that every layer transitions seamlessly into the next, preserving the rugged aesthetic of the farmhouse without the headache of manual post-processing.

Elevating Your Tabletop Narrative
In 28mm wargaming, your terrain is the silent narrator of your story. Adding a Gassho-Minka to your collection does more than just provide “Line of Sight” blocking; it anchors your gameplay in a specific, evocative reality.

The Tactical Advantage
The layout of this model provides diverse tactical opportunities. The raised foundation allows for height variance on the board, while the Engawa porch serves as the perfect platform for a group of archers or a lone sniper to take cover. The large, imposing silhouette of the roof creates a significant “blind spot,” allowing players to use the building for flanking maneuvers or as a defensive bastion.

A Cultural Touchstone for Every Scenario
Imagine a skirmish game set in the Sengoku Jidai. This farmhouse isn’t just a house—it’s the village elder’s home, the secret storehouse for a local rebellion, or the site of a desperate last stand.

For Samurai Wargames: It acts as the objective for a “protect the village” scenario, where your ronin must hold the perimeter against bandits.

For Fantasy/Yokai Games: The dark eaves and deep thatch provide the perfect hiding spot for a Kappa or a Tengu. The historical accuracy of the model lends a sense of “groundedness” to even the most magical encounters.

For RPGs: Use the model as a hub for your players to receive quests. The visual fidelity helps players visualize the textures of the world—the smell of the straw, the creak of the old wood, and the warmth of the hearth inside.

The Beauty in the Details
We didn’t stop at the broad strokes. If you look closely at the model, you will find:

The Thatch Texture: We have pushed the limits of FDM detailing to ensure the “layers” of the straw roof are visible, providing a dry-brusher’s dream surface.

The Stone Base: Each support stone is uniquely shaped, mimicking the natural river stones used by Japanese builders to prevent wood rot.

The Timber Joints: The model showcases the Shiguchi style of Japanese joinery, where beams interlock without nails, adding an extra layer of immersion for history buffs.

A Hobbyist’s Canvas
While the sculpt is rich in detail, it remains an open canvas for the painter. The deep recesses in the thatch are designed to catch washes and contrast paints perfectly. Weathering the model is a joy—add a touch of green flock to represent moss growing on the north side of the roof, or use dark pigments to simulate the soot of an indoor fire pit (Irori) staining the upper timbers.

Because it is optimized for 28mm, it scales perfectly with major miniature lines, ensuring your warriors look like they truly belong in the doorway of this ancient home.

Conclusion
The Gassho-Minka is more than just a piece of terrain; it is an investment in the atmosphere of your games. It combines the rugged, breathtaking beauty of Japanese history with the cutting-edge convenience of support-free FDM printing.

Bring the legacy of the mountains to your table. Let your warriors fight under the shadow of the “praying hands,” and turn every game into a cinematic experience.