
With both adult and kid sizes available, samurai of all ages will be ready for cardboard battle.
Since you can never be sure of when ninja are going to suddenly try to assassinate you, investing in some samurai-style armor is always a sound decision. But if you’ve priced sets of lamellar at your local blacksmith recently, you know that such stylish protection can cost you a pretty penny.
Thankfully, there’s now a more affordable option: cardboard samurai armor from Tokyo-based paper products company Showa Note.
Two sets are on offer, one modeled after the crimson armor of historical samurai Sanada Yukimura and the other after daimyo Date Masamune’s, complete with crescent moon-shaped helmet ornament. The suits provide extensive coverage of the arms and legs, and even include mustache-equipped face plates.
Because of their cardboard construction, no hammering or smelting is required. Instead, the pieces are held together with plastic brackets, with assembly taking about 90 minutes, giving you a manageable craft project to work on while waiting for your spies to report back about the Takeda Clan’s latest troop movements.
▼ Prefect for fans of Japanese history and the Sengoku Basara anime/video game franchise alike!
The sets seen above will fit would-be samurai between 150 and 180 centimeters (59 and 71 inches) in height, and are priced at 2,980 yen (US$28). If you’re planning to take your kids with you on your next invasion of a neighboring fief, Showa Note also has a kids size (100-120 centimeters) which sells for just 2,480 yen.
However, be aware that it will become much more difficult to scare your kid into being careful about poking his eye out once he discovers how awesome he looks with an eye patch.
Follow Casey on Twitter to keep up on all the must-know information for samurai on a tight budget.
Source: IT Media
Top image: Showa Note
Insert images: Showa Note (1, 2) (edited by RocketNews24)




Anime fan Halloween costume planning is now done thanks to cardboard Dragon Ball Z battle armor
The City of Angels is now the City of Samurai with Los Angeles museum’s awesome armor exhibition
Awesome cardboard Darth Vader costume lets you become an eco-friendly Jedi villain【Video】
Samurai armor for pets turns your animal companions into adorable dogs and cats of war【Photos】
Kamakura Warrior Tour now offering T-shirts that are the spitting image of real samurai armor
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport airlines announce stricter luggage check-in deadline for domestic flights
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Yoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
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
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】
This amazing suit of samurai armor is made of five-yen coins, and you can make your own too【Pics】
Awesome Samurai Armor Hoodies are looking to conquer the whole world/keep you warm
Need a set of samurai armor for your cat or dog? This pet supply shop can help 【Photos】
Samurai backpacks from Kyoto combine lamellar tradition, awesome style, and modern functionality
Spider-Man’s black costume goes back to the past in this awesome samurai/ninja figure【Photos】
Captain Japan? Marvel’s Captain America reimagined as samurai warrior in awesome new figure
Samurai chef serves ramen with a side of history at awesome restaurant in Japan
Tour Japan’s former capital dressed as a samurai or noble lady on awesome day trip from Tokyo
Samurai style for the rainy season! Wooden samurai bokuto sword umbrella goes on sale in Japan
Tokyo’s new samurai photo studio sends you to Japan’s feudal era with awesome digital backdrops