How to Make a Samurai Costume

Traditionally, samurai could be of any age or gender.

The history of samurai costumes is well documented. Colors and types of samurai clothing were related to regions, clans, rank and gender. Warrior armor was elaborate and heavy, and longer coats were generally worn for travel. Underneath all of the armor, samurai warriors wore very basic costumes. Using a few items from around the house, you can make a basic samurai costume in a pinch and have the compliments flowing.

Things You'll Need

• Gray Sweatsuit
• Long White Knee Length Socks
• Black Flip-Flops
• 1 Yd. Red Fabric
• White T-shirt
• Knitted Black Hat with Pompom
• Black Plastic Bag
• Small Strip of Red Fabric
• Samurai Sword

Instructions

Preparing the Costume

1. Lay the sweatshirt and sweatpants out on a table in front of you. Cut the pants legs so that the ends fall halfway between the ankle and the knee. Substitute capri length yoga pants if you do not have sweatpants or prefer not to cut your pants.

2. Cut the waist of the sweatshirt off near the bottom edge. Cut off the arm cuffs of the sweatshirt, staying as close to the ends as possible. Cut a straight line from the middle of the sweatshirt all the way up to the chin. This will make a type of jacket.

3. Roll the edges of the black hat up inward and place on head so that the pompom sits near the back of the head. Tie the black plastic bag over the pompom and secure with a strip of fabric. Cut the remaining plastic edges off or tuck them away.

Assembling the Costume

1. Put on the knee socks, flip-flops, sweatpants, T-shirt and sweatshirt jacket.

2. Slick your hair back with water or gel. Place the hat on your head with the pompom near the back. Secure hat with hair pins if needed.

3. Fold the red fabric lengthwise into a long rectangle. Place the middle of this fabric on your stomach and wrap around your waist. Arrange the sweatshirt jacket so that one end folds over the other and lays flat against your stomach. Tie the fabric in the back and tuck the ends of the fabric into the wrap on the sides. This will look like a large belt.

4. Hook the sword through the red belt on one side.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a sweatsuit that is one or two sizes too big. This will allow the ends of the sweatshirt to hang below the belt and look more authentic.

References

• Japanese Armor
• Samurai Archives: Clothing

Resources

• Samurai Archives