The worlds of katana and candy collide just in time for Valentine’s Day.
While a lot of high-class chocolates have a feminine look to them, a love of sweet flavors isn’t always necessarily coupled to a preference for dainty design. In recognition of this, Japanese confectioner Mary’s has unveiled its new Tsuwamono line of chocolates,
Tsuwamono is a classical Japanese word meaning “warrior,” and so the Tsuwamono chocolates pay tribute to three of Japan’s most famous samurai.
For those craving variety, the Kiremono chocolate set, pictured above, is a tip of the hat to Sanada Yukimura, a local hero of Nagano. The Kiremono chocolates include pieces flavored with apples, a famous agricultural product of Nagano, as well as candies bearing the likeness of Sanada’s antlered helmet.
Alternatively, Date Masamune, feudal ruler of the area around present-day Sendai, is the inspiration for the Sharesha chocolate set, which makes use of the region’s distinct zunda sweetened bean flavor. There’s also a chocolate with decorated with the crescent moon motif seen on the oversized ornament at the front of the helmet Date wore into battle.
Moving from armor to weaponry, the Atsukimono is a chocolate katana, as well as a tip of the hat to Oda Nobunaga, the ambitious warlord and enthusiastic sword collector who nearly succeeded in his attempt to unify Japan and end its centuries-long civil war.
Finally, the Hayatemono et is a box of chocolate shuriken, or throwing stars. Unlike the other items in the Tsuwamono line, the chocolate shuriken don’t seem to have a connection to any specific historical figure, but rather are an edible assertion that ninja in general are awesome.
The entire lineup can be ordered online here directly from Mary’s. Prices range from 648 to 1,404 yen (US$5.60-US$12.10), and delivery can be made before Valentine’s Day, in case you’d like to mix a little samurai history into your romantic gestures this year.
Source: Mary’s
Top image: Mary’s (1, 2) (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Mary’s (1, 2, 3, 4)
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