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Time to strap on your katana and kabuto, history buffs.

Historians generally feel that the age of the samurai came to an end in 1868, when the political event known as the Meiji Restoration put an end to Japan’s centuries of feudal rule and abolished the warrior caste. We, however, would argue that the curtain didn’t fall on the samurai era until last November, when Samurai Studio, Tokyo’s awesome, limited-time samurai photo studio, closed its doors.

But just as people are still captivated by the samurai ideals of honor, courage, and loyalty, so too do many still long to dress up in samurai armor and pose for dramatic photos. And so Samurai Studio is coming back, this time at a new location in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Customers will be able to choose from three different armor designs, starting with one modeled after the suit worn by history fan-favorite Sanada Yukimura.

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Somewhat less vividly colored is the o-yoroi set, which doesn’t appear to take its styling cues from any specific historical figure.

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Photos of the third outfit have yet to be revealed, but given its name, Date-musha, it’s likely inspired by the armor of northern warlord Date Masamune, which had a distinctive crescent moon-shaped ornamentation on the front of the helmet.

Sadly, the Samurai Studio is once again a limited-time affair, but thankfully, it’ll be open from April 1 to 14, which should coincide nicely with many travelers’ trips to Tokyo or Japan to see the cherry blossoms. Photo packages start at 18,000 yen (US$160), and reservations can be made here through the Samurai Studio website.

Studio information
Samurai Studio (at Studio Squint) / スタジオスクイント
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, 4-7 Komatsu Building, 2nd floor
東京都新宿区四谷4-7小林ビル2F
Samurai Studio website

Source: IT Media
Featured image: Samurai Studio (edited by RocketNews24)
Top image: Samurai Studio
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