Concept
"Samurai Art"
Samurai Art Art Shop Kazuno's Three Guidelines
Based on these three principles, we will pursue samurai art.
A new form of warrior painting
Samurai Art Shop Kazuno's mission is to revive the spirit and way of life of Sengoku warlords as contemporary art. Rather than simply recreating history, the illustrations visually express the "spirit" and "aesthetics" of the warlords, creating illustrations that move the viewer. While paying respect to history, the unique style breathes new life into it. These works are then sold as t-shirts, posters, and other items that can be incorporated into your everyday life.
The aesthetic sense of "SAMURAI" to the world!
Through cross-border e-commerce, we are able to communicate to the world the deep history and aesthetic sense that cannot be fully conveyed by the word "SAMURAI." Armor, swords, and even the strategies of the Warring States period are art and philosophy in themselves. By visually conveying this culture, we hope to share Japan's pride with the world. We are also focusing on an English-language website and international shipping, creating an environment where fans from all over the world can easily experience the "beauty of samurai."
The power of art to bring history to life
Kazuno's activities are not limited to just an online shop. They are also actively involved in "regional development that utilizes history," such as participating in events in areas associated with warlords of the Sengoku period and collaborating with local communities. Portraying local heroes is also a way to give shape to the pride of the region. They aim to link tourism and education through art and become a bridge that conveys the charm of history to the next generation.
career
Biography
After going independent after a career as a graphic designer and art director, around 2008 he began to seriously work on creating illustrations of Sengoku warlords, including Honda Tadakatsu, a warlord with ties to his hometown.
Since then, he has specialized in historical illustrations, focusing on Sengoku warlords, and has provided his work to major game makers and publishers. Based on historical sources, he believes in being faithful to historical facts, and aims to promote the "beauty of martial arts" in Sengoku culture both domestically and internationally through art and illustrations, while deepening understanding of authentic armor.
For each of the warlords I illustrate, I learn about their backgrounds and the way they lived, and I work hard every day to be able to express not just their appearance, but also their inner selves and spirituality.
We have previously participated in numerous regional development activities that utilize historical figures and military commanders, such as campaigns to attract historical dramas, and we plan to focus even more on this area in the future.
I hope to not only produce and sell military commander goods, but also to provide many people both in Japan and overseas with an opportunity to experience the true "beauty of the samurai" and "beauty of martial arts" through the military commander illustrations I draw.
Our Journey
History
Became a freelance graphic designer
Started drawing illustrations in parallel with graphic design
"Hojo Clan Illustration Contest" Sagami Tiger Award Winner (Subject: Hojo Ujiyasu)
Chiba Sengoku Festival (Exhibition of Sengoku Warlord Illustrations) Chiba
"Sengoku iPhone Case Exhibition" Masako Kimiya Award (Grand Prize) (Subject: Honda Tadakatsu)
FK#5 Mononofu Exhibition (Group exhibition of illustrations of Sengoku warlords) Kyoto
Winner of the Excellence Award at the "Senmaku Festival 2012 Illustration Contest" (themes: Date Masamune, Gamo Ujisato, Uesugi Kagekatsu)
"Lovers' Sanctuary Selection Commemorative Illustration Design Competition" Honorable Mention (Theme: Ohatsu and Tokubei)
Winner of the Grand Prize in the "Tōdō Takatora Image Enhancement Illustration Competition" (subject: Tōdō Takatora)
Winner of the Grand Prize in the "Gunshi Kanbei Promotion Poster Art Competition" (subject: Kuroda Kanbei)
Soma Nomaoi Warrior Art Exhibition (Exhibition of illustrations of Sengoku warlords) Fukushima, Japan, and overseas 2015-2019
Exhibition of paintings of warlords from the Sengoku period connected to the Isumi region (subject: Toki Yoriharu, Toki clan) Chiba
Exhibition of Tokugawa Ieyasu and other Sengoku warlords' weapons and armor (along with illustrations of Sengoku warlords) Tokyo
Earthquake reconstruction support project "Exhibition of illustrations of Date Masamune gathered at the ruins of Sendai Castle" (subject: Date Masamune) Sendai
Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum Armor exhibit (background of the Battle of Sekigahara, etc.) Gifu
Exhibited at the 4th Gunma Sengoku Castle Seal Summit (subject: Honda Tadakatsu and many other Sengoku warlords) in Maebashi
Exhibition of paintings by Sengoku warlords (subject: Honda Tadakatsu and other Sengoku warlords) in Kuwana
20th Anniversary Symposium of New Kuwana City [Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings Honda Tadakatsu] Main Visual Production〈Theme: Honda Tadakatsu〉Kuwana
Exhibited at the 5th Gunma Sengoku Castle Seal Summit (subject: Honda Tadakatsu and many other Sengoku warlords) in Maebashi
NHK History Detective [Sengoku Local Daimyo Series] Illustrations of warlords (subjects: Tachibana Muneshige, Mogami Yoshimitsu, and other Sengoku warlords)
"Date Masamune, his vassals and princesses" Exhibition (Theme: Date Masamune, Date Hidemune) Sendai
Commemorative lecture [Assassination of Sakamoto Ryoma and the Kuwana Domain] Main visual production (subject: Sakamoto Ryoma) Kuwana
Exhibited at the 6th Gunma Sengoku Castle Seal Summit (subject: Honda Tadakatsu and many other Sengoku warlords) in Maebashi
Kuwana City Taiga Drama Attraction Project [Honda Tadakatsu Festival] Main visual production (theme: Honda Tadakatsu, Ninja) Kuwana
Future goals
Bringing the true spirit of the samurai to the world.
Samurai Art Shop Kazuno sells art goods featuring illustrations of warlords based on historical facts in Japan. The warlords depicted range from famous to lesser known, and each piece is hand-crafted by a Japanese illustrator himself, with each piece created with great care and passion. He thoroughly studies existing armor materials, deepening his learning every day, while faithfully recreating the truth and beauty of history.
Why do we share these images? Because we want to visually convey, in the form of art, the courage, righteousness, indomitable spirit, and aesthetic sense that reside within the existence of "samurai" and "warriors." We believe that these images are not merely fragments of history, but "symbols of a way of life" that can inspire us as we live in the modern age. In fact, some people have told us that they were "encouraged" or "encouraged" by our illustrations.
The shop is run by a graphic designer/illustrator with many years of experience working in a wide range of fields, including advertising for major companies, publishing, games, and government. Utilizing his cultivated sense and skills, he offers high-quality goods with excellent design.
Our work is aimed not only at history buffs in Japan, but also at people overseas who are interested in "samurai" and "ninja." In particular, the TV drama "Shogun," which became a huge hit overseas in 2024, sparked renewed interest in "real samurai" around the world. The success of this work overseas, which was uncompromisingly faithful to Japanese culture - armor, etiquette, language - proves that "authenticity" transcends borders.
Samurai Art Shop Kazuno also shares the same aspirations and takes on the world. To depict the way of life of the samurai and share history, tradition, and the beauty of martial arts with people all over the world. That is our vision.
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