Koyane-Minka (小屋根民家)

The Silent Hermitage: The 28mm Koyane-Minka Circular Dwelling

In the quiet transition zones of the Japanese Satoyama—the space where the wild mountain forests meet the ordered rows of the rice paddies—stands the Koyane-Minka. This circular “bell-roof” dwelling represents a softer, more organic side of Japanese architectural history. Scaled precisely for 28mm tabletop gaming, this model is an atmospheric masterpiece that brings the humble, spiritual, and rustic essence of rural Japan to your scenery collection.

The Poetry of the Round House

The Koyane-Minka is inspired by the Enkei-shiki (circular style) structures that have dotted the Japanese landscape since the prehistoric Jomon period. Unlike the sharp angles and rigid lines of later Edo-period manors, this dwelling embraces the curve. Its roof is its most defining feature: a sweeping, bell-shaped thatch that flows downward like a heavy cloak, designed to shed the heavy snows of the Japanese highlands and the torrential rains of the monsoon season.

Historically, these smaller structures served a multitude of purposes. They were the mountain retreats of aesthetic monks seeking a “Small-Roof” (Koyane) hermitage, the auxiliary homes for village elders, or specialized storage huts for the village harvest. By including this model in your collection, you are capturing a specific “Wabi-Sabi” beauty—the appreciation of the humble, the weathered, and the natural.

Engineering Excellence: Support-Free FDM Printing

A common challenge with rounded, organic shapes in 3D printing is the reliance on messy support structures. The Koyane-Minka solves this through intelligent architectural geometry. We have designed this model to be 100% support-free for FDM printing.

The curvature of the bell-shaped roof is not just an aesthetic choice; it is a calculated series of self-supporting angles.

• Seamless Texture: Because there are no supports to remove from the underside of the eaves or the entrance canopy, the texture of the bundled straw remains crisp and unbroken from the peak to the base.

• Economic and Efficient: Print with total confidence, knowing you are using only the filament necessary for the model itself. The lack of post-processing means you spend less time cleaning plastic and more time painting and gaming.

• Optimized for Detail: The geometry is specifically tuned to the way an FDM printer moves. The layer lines themselves contribute to the realistic look of the horizontal binding found in traditional Japanese thatch-work.

A New Perspective for Your Tabletop World

The Koyane-Minka serves as a perfect “character building” for your 28mm environment. While large manors provide the scale, it is these smaller, unique dwellings that provide the soul.

Tactical Versatility in Skirmish Gaming

In games like Test of Honour or Bushido, the circular footprint of the Koyane-Minka creates a unique tactical environment.

• 360-Degree Engagement: Unlike rectangular buildings that create long “fire lanes,” the rounded walls of this dwelling allow for fluid movement. It is harder for a unit to get “pinned” against a flat wall, encouraging more dynamic, circular combat maneuvers.

• The Protected Entryway: The small, pillar-supported porch isn’t just for show; it provides “Light Cover” for a lone archer or a scout, making it a valuable objective for players to seize early in a match.

• Line-of-Sight Dynamics: Its compact size makes it the perfect “filler” terrain to break up open spaces without dominating the entire board, allowing you to create dense, realistic village layouts.

Narrative Hooks for RPG Players

For those navigating the mystical paths of Legend of the Five Rings or Lozan, the Koyane-Minka is the ultimate “Mystery Location.”

• The Hermit’s Hut: Every village has a story about the wise woman or the disgraced samurai living on the edge of the woods. This model is the physical manifestation of that story.

• Sacred Storage: Use it as a village storehouse where a cursed relic is kept under lock and key. The primitive, ancient look of the thatch suggests that whatever is inside has been there for a very long time.

• Atmospheric immersion: Describe to your players the smell of damp straw and the sight of smoke rising through the small ventilation gaps in the thatch as they approach this humble mountain retreat.

Craftsmanship in the Details

We have poured our passion for Japanese history into every facet of this 28mm sculpt:

• The “Bell-Shape” Thatch: The roof features heavy, layered textures that are a joy to paint. The “flow” of the straw is designed to catch light and shadow, making even a simple base-coat and wash look professional and high-end.

• Timber and Stone Foundation: The model sits on a sturdy stone base, showcasing the Ishiba-tate style where wooden pillars are elevated to prevent rot. This adds a layer of structural realism that grounds the model in the physical reality of the Satoyama.

• Rustic Joinery: From the bamboo-textured pillars to the rough-hewn wooden door, every element reflects a time when buildings were crafted by hand using local materials.

The Painter’s Playground

The Koyane-Minka is perhaps the most versatile model in our collection when it comes to painting.

• Weathering Effects: Because the roof extends so low, it is the perfect canvas for practicing “gradient weathering.” Start with a sun-bleached golden straw at the peak and transition into a dark, mossy green at the base.

• Flocking and Moss: The gentle curves of the roof invite the use of static grass or fine flock to simulate the moss that naturally grows on old Japanese thatch in humid climates.

• Object Source Lighting (OSL): The recessed entrance provides a fantastic opportunity to paint a warm, orange glow emanating from the doorway, suggesting a welcoming fire burning inside the earth-sheltered home.

Conclusion: The Soul of the Village

The Koyane-Minka is a tribute to the quiet, resilient spirit of the Japanese countryside. It is a model that balances ancient architectural precision with the modern technical ease of support-free printing. Whether it serves as a humble peasant’s home, a hidden temple, or a vital storehouse, it will bring an unmistakable sense of place and history to your 28mm tabletop battles.

Add the “Bell-Roof” Hermitage to your collection and let your stories unfold in the shadow of the Satoyama.