Some ships are remembered for changing the way battles were fought, and the Atakemaru (阿武丸) is one of them. This papercraft recreates the legendary ironclad warship commanded by Kuki Yoshitaka, a naval commander who served Oda Nobunaga during the Siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji. According to historical accounts, the vessel was protected by iron plates fitted to its hull, allowing it to better withstand hōroku hiya, ceramic explosive bombs that were commonly used in naval warfare during Japan's Sengoku period.
Designed by Masahiro Kushi, this 1/150 scale paper model captures the ship's distinctive armored hull, towering castle-like superstructure, large square sail bearing the Mitsudomoe crest, and the yellow banners associated with Oda Nobunaga's forces. Rather than focusing on tiny decorative details, the design emphasizes the overall silhouette and historical character of the vessel, making it an interesting project for both papercraft builders and Japanese history enthusiasts.
Template Notes
The template is provided as three PDF files containing 10 pages in total, requiring 10 sheets of paper to complete. Assembly instructions are not included in the PDFs themselves, but the creator provides a step-by-step illustrated guide on the original project page, making it much easier to follow the construction process.
Build Overview
- Designer: Masahiro Kushi
- Subject: Atakemaru (阿武丸) Ironclad Ship
- Scale: 1:150
- Paper Required: 10 sheets
- Template: 3 PDF, 10 pages
- Instructions: Illustrated assembly guide available on the creator's webpage
If you enjoy building historical ships, this model offers a fascinating look at one of the most iconic warships associated with Japan's Sengoku era while remaining approachable enough for a rewarding display piece.
Download
You can download the free Atakemaru Ironclad Ship Papercraft template from Masahiro Kushi's original page, where you'll also find the complete illustrated assembly instructions.
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