Bamboo Archives | Otaku No Culture

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Crowfunding is a powerful tool, it allows the everyday person to make something wonderful a reality. By financially contributing, pooling their money with other investors to push what could be the next big thing into the public market, great pride can be taken to know one has made distribution of said product possible. And it was no small feat when the Samurai Armor Hoodie I wrote about mere days ago reached their financial goal of $50,000 in an impressive three days and two hours. When it comes to the next hot fashion from Japan, the masses have spoken. But now the goal is reached there are new incentives to keep the fundraising going.

Two stretch goals have been established. At the $80,000 level in contributions, each hoodie-inclusive perk will come with one bonus Gauntlet Glove. When the campaign reaches $120,000 in contributions, each hoodie-inclusive perk will come with one bonus T-shirt to match.

The campaign makes it easy for one to invest more money. The idea of three hoodies, two tatermono crests, and free shipping worldwide for $900 USD is hard to ignore. The shipping worldwide is a nice touch but I wonder how much would I have to pay to have it delivered to my door by a Japanese woman dressed in traditional kimono. Bowing, like the smiles offered at a fast food chain, I hope would be free.

To continue contributing or to follow the funding campaign, follow this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/samurai-armor-hoodies#/

To follow on Facebook, visit this link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/902125803249195/

And to follow on Instagram, visit this link:

https://www.instagram.com/samurai_armor_hoodies/

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Have you ever wanted to go full samurai — to wear the armour of a warrior, to go into battle while feeling the spirit of Toshiro Mifune flowing through you? While it all sounds glorious, the closest many of us are ever going to get to looking like a samurai is by wearing heavy and expensive replica armour. But don’t fret, bamboo has something that is light, warm, and can be worn as everyday wear. The Samurai Armor Hoodie was brought into existence 3 years ago after seeing a hoodie based on a Western suit of armor. Quoted in a Tokyo Otaku Mode interview, bamboo, project producer for goods company Studio 696 and vocalist for the rock and roll band milktub stated, “I thought it was cool, so I bought it right away. When I held it in my hands, I liked it, so I thought, ‘If there is Western armor, there should be a Japanese version, too, I’ll get that next time.’ But no matter how hard I looked, where and how I searched, there was simply no such product.”