ALEXCIOUS

“One-Eyed Dragon” Masamune, a powerful warlord in the north-east Japan even awed by Shoguns

Masamune Date served many masters including Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Hidetada Tokugawa, and Iemitsu Tokugawa. Masamune is believed to have been so talented that some say he might have conquered Japan if he were born 10 years earlier. After the Tokugawa clan took control of the nation, Masamune started serving them as a regional lord. He was not a dragon whose fangs had been pulled out, but rather a dragon hiding his fangs. Masamune was never looked down on but was also never feared by the Tokugawas. In a way, he is the man who placed a signpost on the path from war to peace. He is also the man who is the origin of the Japanese expression, "Date Otoko" (a fashionable and handsome man).

ZIPANG has made a detailed miniature of the armor worn by the legendary Masamune Date, called "Bottle Armor." We created this Bottle Armor using the design of Masamune Date's armor, the "Tetsu Shikkoku-nuri Gomai Dougu Soku" ("Five Piece Iron Armor with Black Lacquer") currently stored at the Sendai City Museum. The famous gold crescent "Maedate" front decoration on the helmet makes this work very impressive. You can enjoy your favorite sake while remembering the heroic stories of men who fought during the Sengoku period.

Japanese food has been attracting attention as "Washoku," or traditional Japanese cuisine was recently added to the UNESCO world intangible heritage list. Our product blends two different internationally-respected “Made in Japan” items which are traditional Japanese armor and sake. This reasonably priced, small beautiful armor is perfect as a gift not only for Tango no Sekku (Children's Day) but also for congratulating on the birth of a baby or on a marriage, or for praying for prosperity. We strive to make replica armor that can be gifted for various life events.

How to assemble BOTTLE ARMOR