SoraNews24 —Japan News—

Love samurai-inspired fashion but hate the cold? Then you might want to add these warm Japanese-style half coats to your wardrobe this winter.

Japan
(coats • fashion • haori • jackets • kimono • samurai)

AI Samurai: The artificially intelligent, armored samurai that will answer all your questions

Preston Phro
Nov 27, 2015

Are you hosting a large event with lots of guests? Maybe it’s time to call in AI Samurai to help with crowd control!

Japan
(AI • AI Samurai • awesome • cool • robots • samurai • SXSW • technology)

Man brandishes samurai sword in New York Apple store, allegedly attempts to commit seppuku

Scott Wilson
Nov 25, 2015

Someone took the phrase “cutting in line” way too literally…

USA
(Apple • criminal • iPhone • samurai • sword • weird)

Asakusa photo studio transforms visitors into courtesans, geisha and samurai

Oona McGee
Nov 14, 2015

If you’ve ever wanted to turn back time and step into the clothes of a well-dressed geisha, a pipe-smoking courtesan or a sword-wielding samurai warrior, we’ve found the perfect place for you!

Japan
(Edo • geisha • Mr. Sato • photo studio • photography • samurai)

Samurai Studio is open and we were the first in line!【Photos】

Preston Phro
Oct 27, 2015

When we wrote about Samurai Studio earlier this month, we have to admit we were more than a little excited to head down and try it out ourselves. Hey, who doesn’t occasionally (or constantly) wish they could run around dressed in Japanese armor with a couple of swords strapped to their side?

Samurai Studio opened for its 10-day limited run today, and we were literally the first in line! In case you’re on the fence about going or just want to see what the process is like, you’ll want to check out our full report, complete with lots and lots of photos.

Korea
(Asakusa • Costume • photography • photos • samurai • Samurai Studio • sightseeing)

Evangelion x Japanese Sword dolls take a trip to traditional Japan with katana blades and kimono

Oona McGee
Oct 21, 2015

It’s been 20 years since the critically acclaimed Evangelion series first came to life on the small screen, and to this day it remains one of the most successful animated series to ever come out of Japan.

With such a dedicated legion of fans, the merchandising has been off the hook, with everything from burgers to lingerie and even a bullet train getting the Eva treatment. But amongst all this, there’s one special limited-edition range that’s really striking a chord with Japanese fans, as it takes the tough, sexy heroines of the series out of their futuristic battle cockpits and re-imagines them as katana sword-wielding ladies in kimono.

Japan
(anime • dolls • Evangelion • Katana • manga • samurai • swords)

Hobbyist turns Volks Super Dollfie girls into amazing Dancing Dolls

Oona McGee
Oct 19, 2015

Japanese company Volks has been making Super Dollfie dolls for more than a decade. The ball-jointed doll-figures are designed to be fully customisable, with removable wigs, interchangeable appendages and resin parts that can even be sanded for reshaping.

One Super Dollfie fan has taken the concept of customisation to a whole new level by melding the cute doll parts with robot skeletons, which allows the dolls to dance, play violins, and take part in some awesome samurai-style katana swordplay.

Japan
(dolls • Katana • robots • samurai • swords)

Dine like a samurai on the night of the Ikedaya Incident at Kyoto-themed restaurant in Tokyo

Oona McGee
Oct 19, 2015

If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kyomachi, the old streets of Kyoto, there’s a special dining establishment in Tokyo that will take you there. The Kyomachi Koishigure restaurant features private dining rooms, red bridges, bamboo corridors and a running stream so you can enjoy all the traditional beauty of Kyoto without having to leave the nation’s capital.

And now, for a limited time only, the restaurant will take you back in time to the late Edo period, with a special “fair” that recreates the infamous Ikedaya Incident, a significant moment in Japan’s history when a group of masterless samurai were ambushed at Kyoto’s Ikedaya Inn.

As part of the experience, diners can enjoy a specially designed menu inside a recreation of the inn, and staff dressed as members of a sword-wielding police force who “ambush” your private room every time you place an order.

Japan
(culture • Ikedaya • Japanese history • Kyoto • restaurants • samurai • themed restaurants • Tokyo)

Modern samurai demonstrates that he could make it in Major League Baseball【Video】

KK Miller
Oct 15, 2015

The master swordsman Isao Machii has been dicing up whatever has been thrown at him so far. Whether it’s shrimp, fruit, or soybeans, this expert has left his cutting mark in a field of sliceable items.

One field he hasn’t turned his sword on yet is baseball, but considering how much Japan loves the game, it was only a matter of time before Machii would step up to the plate, and he’s done so in an impressive display of swordsmanship you won’t want to miss.

Japan
(awesome • baseball • Isao Machii • samurai • swords • videos)

Samurai Studio: Tokyo’s new photo studio where you can get your picture taken in samurai armor

Casey Baseel
Oct 3, 2015

Even in the modern era, you’ll find plenty of occasions in Japan to dress up in kimono, such as for festivals, fireworks exhibitions, or other special events (and considering how relatively easy it is to do, it’s something you really should try at least once). But as much as Japan may love its traditions and history, there aren’t too many occasions when you get to strap on a set of samurai armor, so when life gives you the opportunity to do so, like at this new photo studio in Tokyo, you won’t want to let it pass you by.

Japan
(armor • Asakusa • culture • history • photo studio • photos • samurai • Tokyo • travel)

Fists of Absinthe: Short film about samurai, ninja and drinking is just what your life’s missing!

Preston Phro
Sep 18, 2015

Devoted readers will remember that we spoke with Japan’s first full-time foreign stuntman Chuck Johnson earlier this summer, visiting his stunt class and learning about the industry in Japan. At the time, we mentioned that Chuck was working a short film called Fists of Absinthe, which ended up being a collaboration between YouTube and Toei Studios.

We are happy to say that Fists of Absinthe is now available on YouTube for your viewing pleasure! We just sat down and watched it, and it was equal parts comedy and action—definitely a must-see for anyone who likes martial arts, samurai, ninja, or laughing their butts off. Check it out below!

Internet, Japan, USA
(Chuck Johnson • Fists of Absinthe • Ninja • samurai • video • YouTube)

Protect your drinks with Samurai armour bottle covers

Oona McGee
Sep 17, 2015

Have you ever visited a museum in Japan and found it hard to tear yourself away from the samurai exhibits, wanting desperately to reach past the “don’t touch” sign to prod the delicate folds of metal armour and the faded material with stains from a bloody war?

Well now there’s a range of samurai armour you can take home with you, and despite their petite size, they’re actually faithful recreations of suits worn by famous warriors in Japanese history.

Certified by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a “Wonder 500” product, awarded to 500 of Japan’s finest goods, foods and travel experiences, this unique range of warrior suits can either dress up your figurines or safeguard your favourite bottle of sake, wine or shochu.

Japan
(armour • costumes • Edo • figurines • samurai • traditional • Wonder 500)

We check out the new Samurai Star Wars figurines from Bandai and Tamashii Nations【Pics】

Oona McGee
Sep 14, 2015

Ever since we heard about the upcoming release of the new Samurai Darth Vader figurine, we’ve been eager to check out the Movie Realisation Series in person. The series includes Boba Fett, Stormtroopers and the Imperial Royal Guard, all dressed as Japanese feudal warriors and brandishing a mix of Japanese, western, and Star Wars-styled weapons.

We’d seen the photos and read the rave reviews but nothing could prepare us for meeting the unique cast of collectibles in person. Come with us as we take you through all the details and close-up photos from our visit!

Japan
(Bandai • Boba Fett • Darth Vader • figurines • photos • samurai • Star Wars • stormtrooper • Tamashii Nations • video)

Artist creates unique badass Stormtrooper covered in Japanese tattoos

Oona McGee
Sep 11, 2015

Recently, we brought you news of the amazing Star Wars Movie Realisation Series of figurines, which have perfectly transformed Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Stormtroopers into awesome-looking samurai warriors.

But if you’re itching for a Japanese-styled Star Wars character of your own, you might want to do what this clever artist did and simply make one yourself. All you’ll need is a plain figure, some coloured pens and a little—make that a lot—of talent and patience.

Japan
(art • figurines • Japanese • samurai • Star Wars • stormtrooper • tattoos)

What stormtroopers and Boba Fett would look like if Star Wars was set in feudal Japan

KK Miller
Aug 26, 2015

With just under four months to go until we finally get Episode 7 of Star Wars, many people have a galaxy far, far away on their minds. Some people are clamoring for any and all kinds of movie tidbits, while other fans are desperately trying to avoid all spoilers. Which means it’s the perfect time to release some “alternate reality” Star Wars toys to the public.

Although, when your toy is this cool looking, any time is the perfect time.