Kimono

Discontinued 2016

DISCONTINUED IN 2019 - Still available to order but some colours/sizes may not be available. Check with us before ordering if not showing as currently in stock.

Silence. Perfect silence.

You use the silence as a cloak of armour, masked in the darkness and waiting for danger to show itself. You ready your sword, prepared to launch your deadly attack should your Lord’s assassins appear. One quick slice and they will breathe their last, you sword hitting its mark and your Kimono becoming soaked in their dark red blood. When you vanish once more, you’ll leave any of their allies bewildered and afraid.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Dark Red Kimono is a traditional Japanese T-shaped robe with ¾ length sleeves made from heavy red cotton and a reinforced collar. Reaching from the shoulders to the upper thighs, this garment is a great base to an Ancestral costume. The Kimono is worn by tying the left over the right side, securing its cotton straps located on the inside and outside of the waist. The sleeves hang loose just above the wrists, leaving the hands free and allowing the greatest possible freedom of action.

Fully compatible with Epic Armoury's other Asian styles, the Kimono is a great basis for almost any samurai-inspired character you wish to make - be it honourable warrior or dishonoured thief.

HISTORY

• A traditional Japanese garment since the 8th century
• Resembles a kosode, which is a shorter sleeved kimono worn with a hakama
• Traditionally secured with a sash tied at the back called an obi
• Always traditionally tied with the left over the right side, except when dressing the dead

The best made blades are forged by the most skilled swordsmiths, the metal worked with such precision and care that the edge can cut through flesh so cleanly that a person might not even know they are dead.

You have commissioned a swordsmith to craft you a Katana. Before he is paid you want to be certain it is a properly made blade, and so you conduct a test. You produce a silken sheet, allowing it to descend lightly onto the Katana’s edge. The sheet is cut cleanly, not a thread mismatched.

The blade is perfect.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Katana is a latex-hybrid longsword favoured by both deadly ninja assassins and samurai alike. The sword is 85 cm from tip to pommel with a 55 cm straight, single-edged blade, handpainted to look like real metal. A small oval crossguard protects the 20 cm handle, cast and painted to look like fabric bound in menuki-style.

Whether you are a samurai or ninja, this Katana is our highest quality gear due to its impressive durability and detail. The blade is made from closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, while the handle is a polyurethane foam cast that allows for greater detail and no maintenance. This hybrid model sword will make you confident in the safety and appeal of your weapon on the battlefield.

HISTORY

• Traditionally used by samurai of feudal Japan
• Designed to be drawn from the sheath quickly to accommodate combat that required fast response times
• Paired with a tanto or wakizashi by samurai to display social power and personal honor

Your Nodachi was handed to you by your master, many years ago. It had been a bittersweet moment for you, because while it meant you had overcome all obstacles in your training, it also meant that it was time to set out on your own.

You find the handle comforting, your hand finding its usual well-worn grip. As a traveling samurai--a ronin--your sword is your only consistent companion.

You look beyond the campfire where a fresh fish now cooks, sizzling in the heat, looking to the flickering shadows along the treeline. You have the sense that tonight you and your sword may once again be tested as you hear the unmistakable snap of a twig, your grip on its handle tightening in anticipation.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Dai Katana is a latex-hybrid sword featuring a distinctive Asian appearance with a squared guard. The sword is 140 cm long from tip to pommel, with a 105 cm slender, single-edged blade. The long detailed handle accommodates two hands and a firm, comfortable grip while on the battlefield. The handle is 24 cm long, cast and painted to look like fabric bound in a diamond patterned menuki-style.

Whether you are an honorable samurai or sneaky ninja, this Nodachi is our highest quality gear due to its impressive durability and detail. The blade is made from closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, while the handle is a polyurethane foam cast that allows for greater detail and no maintenance. This hybrid model sword will make you confident in the safety and appeal of your weapon on the battlefield.

HISTORY

• Nodachi means “field sword” in Japanese
• Required extensive training to be used correctly
• Considered a symbol of skill and status, made to look dangerous in the hands of elite troops
• Typically used for ceremonies, duelling and calvarymen due to its long blade size

Silence. Perfect silence.

You use the silence as a cloak of armour, masked in the darkness with the help of your Mempo, waiting for the perfect opportunity. You ready your throwing knives, ready to launch your deadly attack when the lord finally emerges from inside the keep. One quick flick of your wrist and the lord breathes his last, you knife hitting its mark...and you vanish, leaving their guards bewildered and afraid.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Mempo is a leather half-mask inspired by early Asian soldiers. This mask protects the face from the bridge of the nose to the chin. Four ventilation slits allow proper airflow through the mask’s mouth, designed to be comfortably worn for long periods of time. Secure the mask to your face by tying two long cotton-weave cords around the head.

Made from 3mm thick vegetable-tanned full-grain leather, Epic Armoury’s Mempo is designed to add a great layer to your fantasy or historic costume. With the best quality materials, this mask is built to withstand extensive abuse with regular leather care.

HISTORY

• Worn by Japanese and Chinese infantry and cavalry from as early as 200 BC
• Used to balance and secure top-heavy helmets, often decorated to give the wearer an extra fierce look

The best made armour is crafted by the most skilled smiths, the leather worked with such precision and care that the wearer can move unhindered, but still protected on the battlefield.

You have commissioned a leather crafter to create a pair of Samurai Bracers for you. Before she is paid you want to be certain it is properly made armour, and so you conduct a test. With the bracers properly tied to your arm, you perform a series of sword drills, faster than the eye can properly see.

The bracers are perfect.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Samurai Bracers are a set of leather vambraces designed to protect the forearms and hands in combat. Made from full-grain leather, these bracers have been sculpted to comfortably follow the shape of the arms. The leather has been hardened and the edges curved to add structural strength that will ensure added protection and longevity.

Comfortably secure the Samurai Bracers by lacing the leather cords on the underside and tightly wrap the heavy cotton fabric around the wrist. Attach the handguard by gripping the cotton cord around the knuckles. Inspired by Asian traditional armour, these bracers are perfectly matched with other products from Epic Armoury’s Asian Universe.

HISTORY

• Hand and arm protection are one of the oldest forms of armour, due to its importance in combat
• This particular style might also be referred to as a demi-gauntlet, due to its limited finger protection

The armour of the true warrior is in his heart.
But having something over that often helps.

The best made armour is crafted by the most skilled smiths, the leather worked with such precision and care that the wearer can move unhindered, but still protected on the battlefield.

You have commissioned a leather crafter to create Samurai Armour for you. Before she is paid you want to be certain it is properly made armour, and so you conduct a test. With the chestplate properly tied to your torso, you perform a series of sword drills, faster than the eye can properly see.

The armour is perfect.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Samurai Armour is a leather cuirass designed as part of the Asian Universe. Inspired by traditional samurai, this cuirass is laminar armour made from long horizontal full-grain leather plates. With attached leather tassets, shoulderguards, and a cotton foundation, this armour uses overlapping plates to provide protection and excellent mobility. Each plate is tied together and adjusted using sturdy canvas cords.

This Samurai Armour has been shaped and molded to feel particularly stiff like steel, but can be put on as easily as a surcoat with adjustable long cotton straps at the flanks. This armour offers great movement on its own or can be worn with chain armour or other Epic Armour leather or metal works, giving you the freedom to create any samurai inspired character that you want. With regular leather care, you can expect this Samurai Armour to last a long time.

Available in colours Red and Black; and size Medium/Large.

HISTORY

• This armour would be considered a type of kiritsuke iyozane dou, or simulated large scale lamellar
• Considered a type of dou, in Japanese, and was a major component of Japanese armour
• Thigh guards hanging from the cuirass were called kusazuri
• Shoulder armour was called sode, often made from iron and leather plates
• Would have often been worn with chain armour (or kusari)
• Long cotton cords would be tied into decorative knots

THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN COURAGE AND RESPECT OF LIFE

Whether you are a common thief or an honourable Samurai, Epic Armoury's Beruto is the belt for your complete LARP outfit. This light belt is made from two connected, black leather pieces fastened to an underlayer of black, textured cotton. The back features a spacer to give an extra option for customization and perfect fit and is locked in place at the front by a rounded brass belt buckle with a Samurai inspired pattern. Fully compatible with Epic Armoury's other Asian styled fighter clothes, the Beruto is a great basis for almost any warrior-inspired LARP character you wish to make.

The best made blades are forged by the most skilled swordsmiths, the metal worked with such precision and care that the edge can cut through flesh so cleanly that a person might not even know they are dead.

You have commissioned a swordsmith to craft you a Tanto. Before he is paid you want to be certain it is a properly made blade, and so you conduct a test. You produce a silken sheet, allowing it to descend lightly onto the Tanto’s edge. The sheet is cut cleanly, not a thread mismatched.

The blade is perfect.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Tanto is one of the smaller latex weapons in the Asian Universe collection. Inspired by a historical weapon of Japan, the Tanto goes perfectly with a samurai’s set of swords. The 26 cm is straight with a single-edge, meeting a small oval crossguard that protects the 10 cm handle wrapped in split-leather.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Asian-inspired kit.

HISTORY

• Traditionally used by samurai of feudal Japan
• Designed to be drawn from the sheath quickly to accommodate combat that required fast response times
• Paired with a katana or wakizashi by samurai to display social power and personal honor

Donning your kimono and Jin Baori every morning is as much a ritual as a tea ceremony. Carefully inspected and folded the night before, it is of the utmost importance that a samurai of your stature maintain a pristine uniform. To look sloppy implies that your discipline is lacking--and by that logic, your swordsmanship must be, too.

Instead of risking such dishonor to your reputation, you take the care that is necessary. There will not be a thread out of place.

DETAILS

The Epic Armoury Jin Baori is a traditional open overcoat to be worn over a high-ranking samurai’s armour. Reaching from the shoulders to the mid-thigh and edged with broad golden bands along the collar and hem, this handsome garment adds detail and interest to an Asian-inspired costume. Fit shoulder armour outside the Jin-Baori by threading straps through the four eyelets located on the back and front. Each eyelet is clearly marked by golden edging, adding strength and aesthetic appeal.

On the back, the Jin-Baori has two slits allowing maximum mobility. These slits also allow a sword to hang comfortably from a belt beneath the coat. The garment is made of durable, but comfortable cotton with gold coloured cotton edging. Fully compatible with Epic Armoury's other Asian styles, the Jin-Baori is for the warrior looking to display his status and skill on the field of glory.

HISTORY

• Historically made for armoured samurai to wear
• Considered a type of haori, which is a kimono-like jacket that adds formality to an outfit
• Traditionally a male garment until the Meiji period