You may have noticed our enthusiasm for sharing updates on boat constructions. Previously, we introduced fishing boats in Minecraft PE, which would be perfect for a great fishing experience. However, these boats might seem like a school of herring compared to the vessels we’re showcasing today—the fleet of Japanese ships meticulously recreated.
These impressive ships are the creation of the builder Minecraft, Yamada-Ken. I was amazed by Yamada-Ken’s level of detail and his clever use of TNT cannons to demonstrate the power of Yamato. FIRE!
“Initially, I had an interest in military ships and worked on building plastic model kits,” Yamada-Ken explains. “However, I found it tedious to paint the kits, so I sought another way to enjoy military ships with complete flexibility.”
This quest for a more adaptable environment led him to discover our game. “I realized that Minecraft Pocket Edition would be a fantastic platform for constructing ships since I could start from scratch without limits on what I could build.”
With the constraints of plastic models behind him, Yamada-Ken began exploring how to utilize various aspects of Minecraft to create more intricate ships. “I can use blocks in any colors I want,” he says. “I could also design internal structures and appropriate TNT wires, which isn’t possible with plastic kits.”
Yamada-Ken started playing Minecraft “about three and a half years ago” in a Minecraft club at his school (all good schools have a Minecraft club—don’t argue with my radical generalization; it’s a fact now). After convincing his parents to buy him the game, Yamada-Ken spent an incredible amount of time not focusing on building. “At first, I didn’t build anything and just played survival mode for about a year.”
This is the way of playing the game he aims to return to. “Another interest I have is playing Minecraft in survival mode with some mods. Since I always built in creative mode, I haven’t played survival mode for a while, and I often miss it.” Nooo! We need more builds, dude!
Of course, we’re just joking—Yamada-Ken can play Minecraft PE, but he chooses to focus on his favorites among his fleet. If he had to pick one ship, which would it be?
“My favorite battleship is the Kaga class.”
A truly remarkable ship, and we are particularly fascinated by the choice of pumpkin block as the mast top. Yamada-Ken explains that Kaga has a rich history. “It has three sister ships: Tosa, Satsuma, and Owari. These names are derived from feudal states in Japan that existed long ago.”
So, out of all his creations, why does this one stand out? “The reason I love it the most is that the Kaga class was the first battleship I made,” he explains. “And through the designs of all four Kaga-class battleships, I learned the fundamentals of battleship construction.”
“For instance, the excellent bow shape and the unique bridge, often referred to as the ‘pagoda mast.’ I was able to apply these elements I learned to later creations, including this Yamato.”
Indeed, thanks to interactions with the broader Minecraft community. “Through Twitter, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with those who build massive structures like castles or traditional shrines in Japan. So, I’m also interested in creating those, although it seems to require much more effort than building military ships.”
Not necessarily! For example, the castle I recently constructed in twenty minutes using rotten flesh required very little effort. March even said it looked like I put absolutely no effort into it.
