Nodachi

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 hard leather along 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 Nodachi is a two-handed Japanese sword meant for elite samurai. The Nodachi is 140 cm long, with a 100 cm long single edged cutting-blade. It has a large oval crossguard and a small rounded pommel. The handle’s oval shape helps to steer the blade intuitively, and is adorned with menuki-bindings made from top-grain leather. The menuki-bind is twin-layered and made from contrasting colours, creating a diamond pattern.

Nodachi were large, but unwieldy weapons. With their long cutting edge, they were somewhat at odds with the bushido styles, and thus quickly became symbols of skill and status. Since they required extensive training to be used correctly, they were mostly used for duelling or in the hands of cavalrymen. While on the field of battle, they were made to look dangerous in the hands of elite troops with a fearsome reputation.

HISTORY

• Nodachi means “???, field sword” in Japanese
• Also referred to as an “Odachi,” which means “big sword”
• Typically used for ceremonies and calvarymen due to its long blade size

The ashigarus stormed inside the wealthy samurai's home, quickly rummaging through personal affairs for loot and supplies. They were rogue soldiers, treacherous men-at-arms devolved into mere bandits. They knew the samurai was away, for it was he they abandoned when they deserted. His home must have seemed like the perfect target to raid. There were three of them, armed with spears and matchlock guns. They couldn't have picked a worse house to break in. In a storm of silk and flowing dark hair, the woman of the house jumped into the room. She had been stalking them since they entered the domain, slowly observing their movement while she was preparing her ambush. She was a noble wife of the samurai caste, an okugatasama, and it was her solemn duty to defend her home from these lowly thieves. Inside the walls of her home, their long polearms were clunky and cumbersome, while she was armed with a short tanto, the well-crafted blade nimble and deadly in her trained hands. She had been sparing with her sisters and her household's servants for years; she was no defenceless dove.

The samurai wife nimbly dodged a spear trust from the most vigilant ashigaru before slipping past his reach and quickly ending him, striking the inside of his arm, past his breastplate. A crimson tide announced her she hit true, and she dived toward the next bandit, who was still fumbling with his gun, quickly giving up using the complicated black powder weapon to simply try to club her to death with the wooden shaft. She proved faster, and dodged low, striking the ankle before pushing him in the chest with her open hand, all her weight behind the strike. She watched him fall over and crawl helplessly in a puddle of his own making, too injured to stand. The last man stared at her a moment, hesitant, before abandoning his comrade and running out of the house, stuffing jewelry in his pockets as he escaped. The woman calmly leaned to grab the matchlock gun in her hand, and with a huntress's calm, she leaned the canon against a window frame, aiming and finishing what she started, a cloud of smoke partially hiding from her the collapsing body of the coward.

The tanto, also referred to as a kaiken, was part of the traditional arsenal used by the Japanese samurai warriors and also for self-defence. This short latex blade is the perfect dagger equivalent for Japanese inspired characters, may they be sneaky ninjas, noble samurais, powerful shoguns, or adventurous ronins in LARP.

As with all of Athena products, this model includes:

• A soft and robust reinforced point designed for the estoc;
• A solid structure ready to parry
• A counterweight in the handle for unparalleled maneuverability;
• A 2 year warranty 
• LATEX-FREE and waterproof varnish
• Safe foam fake weapon designed for LARP combat, cosplay, theater and film.

 Product may differ slightly from the selected image.

The Athena line, from Nemesis Workshops, is a mass produced line of high quality LARP weapons.

Athena is a new thermoforming manufacturing process that we have developed in order to offer high quality products at the cutting edge of technology. 

Thanks to this new process, Nemesis has taken the quality of their products to a higher level. Safer due to reinforced tips, durable due to quality materials and foam fusion during thermoforming, incredible balance due to the weighting system in the handles, flawless blades due to high precision molds, and daggers ready to parry due to a more robust fiberglass rod.

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

As the last snow fell to the ground, our warrior took a deep breath. His meditation had once again been filled with dark thoughts and he hadn't been able to find peace… yet. He released a long sigh and watched the steam escape from his body in contact with the cold. As the village woke up, he too, would get to work. He hadn't always been welcomed, let alone considered a samurai. But he had known, with time and devotion, to prove his worth. Slowly unfolding his legs from his seiza, he took his Japanese katana that he had placed in front of him and put it back in its sheath. It was with astonishment that he had learned on his arrival that the word Samurai means "one who serves" and although he had long been their prisoner of war, living among such different people had taught him more than through his twenty years in service to the king. Treated at first as an inconvenient guest, however, he had never received so much hatred and contempt as in his former life. His katana grew heavier for a breath… His old life. The warrior smiled slightly and shrugged, as if to convince himself that he was no longer attached to that past. He was now a Samurai, devoted to the perfection of his art and perhaps, one day, he would even find his peace.

The katana is a Japanese thrusting sword whose cutting edge is also used. It is a lethal weapon but also a work of art representing the soul of the samurai who wears it. This latex weapon will be the centerpiece of a Japanese-inspired character and will command respect whether you're a proud samurai or a fallen Ronin

As with all of our Athena products, this model includes:

• A soft and robust reinforced point designed for the estoc;
• A solid structure ready to parry
• A counterweight in the handle for unparalleled maneuverability;
• A 2 year warranty 
• LATEX-FREE and waterproof varnish
• Safe foam fake weapon designed for LARP combat, cosplay, theater and film.

Product may differ slightly from the selected image.

The Athena line, from Nemesis Workshops, is a mass produced line of high quality LARP weapons.

Athena is a new thermoforming manufacturing process that we have developed in order to offer high quality products at the cutting edge of technology. 

Thanks to this new process, Nemesis has taken the quality of their products to a higher level. Safer due to reinforced tips, durable due to quality materials and foam fusion during thermoforming, incredible balance due to the weighting system in the handles, flawless blades due to high precision molds, and daggers ready to parry due to a more robust fiberglass rod.