On the road to becoming a modern-day samurai, you’ll have to go through many trials. While learning to speak, dress, drink and decorate like a samurai is of utmost importance, your journey will begin with finding your samurai name. That’s where this handy website comes in!
In celebration of the woodblock print exhibit featuring the work of Katsushika Hokusai, the Grand Palais art museum in France has released a special website allowing anyone to discover their samurai roots. First, pick either the long and tall nobori banner or the round horo banner and enter your name:
Click “Generate” and you’re a page away from your true samurai name. Here, we chose the horo banner, which showed up on the left side of the page. We were also treated to a little background information about our inner samurai as well as a photo.
▼ Looks like we need to lay off the cheesy poofs!
And just in case you were wondering, entering the same name into the generator shows the exact same samurai name, so there is some sort of rhyme and reason to the site.
Just for fun, we wanted to see what the long nobori banner looked like, so we typed in a different name and were treated to a different flag, background info, and samurai:
So head on over to the Grand Palais website and get ready to channel your inner samurai warrior!
Source: Japaaan Magazine
Images: Samourai
Make an impression on paper and your peers with a katana-hilt name stamp
Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo With Experience is true to its name, lets you slice with real katana
Impress your coworkers by opening your mail with a tiny samurai sword engraved with your name
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Japanese bank’s founders blood-signed promise to commit samurai-style suicide if they committed fraud
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
Over 1,400 cities in Japan see foreign population rise, total populations drop in new statistics
Starbucks Japan unveils new Kyoho grape drinks for a taste that’s quintessentially Japanese
Stray cats almost became classified as an invasive species in Japan but the change was overturned
7-Eleven Japan adds new doughnut-like tonkotsu ramen fried chicken to its hot food section
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
TV series of Japanese swimsuit models stripping off samurai armor now has photo album, DVD【Vids】
Traditional Japanese braiding is in high demand thanks to success of anime Your Name
Kusaki Marino: A Japanese family restaurant where you bow your head and enter like a samurai