Shoshin is a tabletop skirmish game set in a mythical reimagination of feudal-era Japan. Players build clans or play as Ronin, leading warriors, monks, and even yokai into tactical battles that blend history, folklore, and strategy.

When development first began, the game was simply going to be called Ascension. But with another well-known title already carrying that name, we knew we needed to look deeper. We didn’t want to settle for something cliché or trope-driven—words like Samurai or Shogun that, while evocative, didn’t capture the unique identity we were building.

Instead, we turned to our growing community. We put out a call for submissions, inviting players and supporters to share their best ideas. Among the entries, one stood out—not just as a title, but as a story. The name Shoshin was proposed, a Zen Buddhist term meaning “Beginner’s Mind.”

It resonated perfectly. Shoshin reflects the heart of the game: a place where deep strategy thrives only when approached with openness, creativity, and humility. We kept The Path of Ascension as a subtitle, marrying the two into a single vision.

In short, the name signifies that the path of ascension is forged through the utilization of the beginner’s mind. Fittingly, it’s not just a name we chose—it’s a fan-created legacy.

Although Shoshin is a miniatures-agnostic game, they are recommended for added immersion. Really, the game can be played with standees and we may offer a set of those in the future.

A 2×2 table would work for a small 125point (per clan) game, 3×3 or 4×4 up to 500 points and 6×4 for 500+ points allocated per each clan. The setup can scaled up or down as needed and as your terrain options permit.

The game is designed for 2 or more players and can be scaled up seamlessly for epic battles with additional sets or clan rosters. A small skirmish game of 125 points runs about 60–90 minutes, depending on scenario complexity and player experience.

Absolutely! Matter-of-fact, Shoshin is an excellent gateway game for new players eager to get into tabletop gaming. The pre-made characters allow new players to start playing right away. Advanced players can dive deeper with full clan creation, training, and equipment options.

Yes. If you prefer a purely historical gaming experience, you can simply remove the yokai elements—the system remains balanced without them.

One of the most unique aspects of Shoshin is our Universal D6 (Ud6) game system that keeps the action economy fast and streamlined. Other aspects include, but are not limited to the following:

• Flexible gameplay that scales up or down seamlessly.
• Rich thematic blend of historical archetypes and Japanese folklore.
• Options to customize your clan or jump in with pre-made characters.
• Unique mechanics for calling upon ethereal allies and yokai to the battlefield.

The rulebook includes a 10-module starter campaign (with RPG elements) called Blood and Snow which was developed by Patrick Durkin. Additional fan-created campaigns like Terror of the Lizard King are in development.

We actually encourage our community to create their own and submit them so that everyone can enjoy them as well.

Yes. There are several expansions specific to Shoshin already on the board which are ready to begin development. These will feature new characters, yokai, and explore more of feudal Japan’s rich history.

Yes. Our team includes Asian contributors, and we draw from historical research and verified cultural sources. We work to ensure the world is inspired—not appropriated—and we welcome feedback from the community. 

No. While early prototypes used stock images and AI imagery, all final production art will be artist-created. We are committed to supporting real artists, and funds we receive help us to continue to commission more original artwork.

Unfortunately, not at this time. We are a small team with limited resources which cannot afford to sit on surplus inventory due to manufacturer MOQs (minimum order requirements).

That said, our plan is to offer the game in different localizations in the future after we are able to release our first two expansions. We will want to offer a second edition or a big box set at that time and we anticipate this to be a couple years out.

We will ship worldwide wherever possible.