Earlier this year, we brought you news of cute earphone jack puppies, perched atop owners’ smartphones in a number of irresistibly cute poses. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any cuter, the company behind the adorable animals announced an update to the series with an extraordinary litter of samurai warrior kittens.
If you like your cats with a side of history, this could be the most perfect gift you could ever wish for.
▼ Military Commander Kitty Naoe Kanetsugu
Naoe Kanetsugu (1559 – 1620) was a Japanese samurai known for his distinctive helmet which bears the Chinese character for “love”. Popularised in the 2009 TV Taiga period drama Tenchijin, Kanetsugu is also a playable character in video games like Samurai Warriors and Pokémon Conquest. Befittingly, this kitty cat looks like he’s just begging for a bit of love!
▼ Military Commander Kitty Date Masamune
Masamune (1567 – 1636) was the founder of the city of Sendai. Known for his crescent-moon helmet, he was nicknamed the “one-eyed dragon” due to a missing eye and achieved legendary status in the Tohoku region for his dedication to the area. If only he knew there would be a little kitty dedicated to him centuries after his passing.
▼ Military Commander Kitty Yukimura Sanada (aka Nobushige Sanada)
Once called the “number one warrior in Japan”, Sanada (1567 – 1615) was a leading general who fought many battles. His troops of 2,000 famously resisted an army of 40,000. This kitty pays homage to Sanada in a faithfully reproduced red helmet bearing the circular clan logo.
▼ Military Commander Kitty Nobunaga Oda
Oda (1534—1582) was a major player in the unification of Japan, conquering a third of the entire country before his death and inspiring those who went on to unify the country. He was the first Daimyo (Lord) to equip his soldiers with muskets, but kitty’s off-the-shoulder robe reminds us that he was also a keen archer. Oda’s distinctive hairstyle is faithfully reproduced here and the gourd is a symbol of one of his most impressive conquests, the siege of Inabayama Castle
▼ Military Commander Kitty Shingen Takeda
Takeda (1521 – 1573) became leader of his clan at the age of 21. A fierce fighter on the battlefield, his impressive armour included a helmet with a horned devil and a long, bushy white mane.
As an added bonus, one of the cats has a detachable horse head. While it’s true that horses were indispensable to warriors in the day, this horse is timely in that it coincides with the 2014 Year of the Horse. Giddyup!
And as we see here, a warrior kitty without a horse is an angry kitty…
Just released on December 6, these cats are available from Amazon while stocks last. We’re sure the cats of the world agree it’s the best history lesson money can buy!
Photos: Amazon: Masamune Amazon: Kanetsugu Amazon: Sanada Amazon: Oda Amazon: horse Amazon: Takeda
We build miniature Japanese samurai warrior armour out of metal
Traditional craftsmen create smartphone case fit for a legendary samurai warrior
Samurai sword and ninja star chocolates from Japan cut open a whole new way to eat sweets
TV series of Japanese swimsuit models stripping off samurai armor now has photo album, DVD【Vids】
Samurai and swimsuit models? New TV show offers both in one sexily convenient place 【Photos】
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character puppet socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Top 30 tourist sites in Japan: the most popular sightseeing spots for overseas visitors
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
The heartwarming story of Japan’s “Weakling Gundam” and the fans who supported it in its hour of need
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Do you remember giant robots? Full-scale Macross Valkyrie lands in Yokohama
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New smartphone game turns your photos of real-world cats into in-game warriors
How did samurai swords and armor evolve over time?【Part 2】【Photos】
Wear your cats on your hands this winter—They’ll wag their tails with every smartphone swipe
Charge up your phone with the power of a portable cat battery from Japan