Masamune is known for a few things that made him stand out from other daimyo of the time.
In particular, his famous crescent-moon-bearing helmet won him a fearsome reputation. As a child, smallpox robbed him of sight in his right eye, though it is unclear exactly how he lost the eye entirely, some sources say he plucked out the eye himself, others say that he had his trusted retainer Katakura Kojuro gouge out the eye for him.
Despite his impairment, Masamune became an outstanding tactician, he was highly respected for his ethics and he was made all the more iconic for his missing eye and was often called dokuganryu, or the "one-eyed dragon".
Date Masamune (September 5, 1567 to June 27, 1636) was a Japanese Samurai of the Azuchi-Momoyama period through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyo in the Tohoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai.
Each suit of Samurai Armour can be ordered with the customary black lacquered Gusto Bitsu (armour storage box) and a wooden stand for the display of the armor & instructions.
The armor is 100% wearable and fully functional.
-Series Information
All of our armour is forged in the traditional iron armour plating (lames) tradition.
However, we offer our armour in 3 quality ranges to help fit the needs and budget of our clients.
Kachi - Foot Soldier -
Our Kachi model armour is offered in response to our many clients who want to own a suit of Samurai armour but at a more economical price. This model is exactly the same as the Gashira model, but this model will have synthetic materials, such as satin instead of silk or the extra fittings.
There is no padding under the shoulders and back to make the armor more comfortable & a fixed nose piece for the Menpo. Because the armor is made quickly they might have blemishes in the paint. However, most people can only tell the difference between the two models under close inspection.
These suits of armour have the same overall construction as the Gashira models but just using more economical materials and less fittings. This level of quality suit was made knowing that damage may occur from future usage etc, so less attention to detail is put into them.
These suites are often requested by theater/movie studios, re-enactor groups or for costume. They are a good price for the quality.
Bowl style kabuto, 19 gauge iron lames, Satin, cotton, no fittings, faux fur lip and faux leather
Gashira - Officer -
The Gashira series armor is also crafted in a traditional Yokohagi Okegawa ni-mai dô with raised rivets popular in the Sengoku (Warring States) period.
The Gashira line is meticulously handmade with all high quality, traditional materials and good attention to detail.
Great painting, detachable nose piece from the Menpo,
bowl style kabuto, 19 gauge iron lames, Japanese silk, quality cotton, brass & copper fittings with genuine leather.
Absolutely stunning pieces of traditional craftsmanship.
Taisho - Commanding Officer Armor -
This armour model is made with the level of quality and expectations that a high ranking Samurai would expect. Using only the highest quality in materials; such as Japanese silk, organic cotton, buffalo horn, etc. Each suit of armour is made by our head master- craftsmen with a close eye to detail and quality control.
They are accurate and detailed in every way. For example a single helmet can consist of over 32 different hand-spliced iron plates (Laminated Style Kabuto), individually riveted together. Our Taisho model samurai armor is made specifically for private collectors, museums, re-enactors, martial artists and those who demand the highest detail and quality.
These suits are often ordered by collectors who want the finest quality armour without having to pay the high cost and taxes that they would as if they would had purchased it in Japan. Incredible high quality at an excellent market price and sold frequently to clients in Japan .
Laminated style kabuto, 19 gauge iron lames, Japanese silk, quality cotton, brass & copper fittings with genuine leather.
We are the ONLY exclusively licensed Dealer of quality armour for the world renowned Iron Mountain Armory and Little Star Enterprises Inc. in Australia.
