Rurouni Kenshin is one of the classic anime/manga titles of the 1990s. We wanted to do the set justice by producing costumes that were as historically accurate as possible, so we researched Bakumatsu-era clothing, silk-dyeing techniques, and even zouri weaving to create this set.

All of Kenshin’s garb is made using period-width fabric panels and techniques (hakama tutorial here); the fabrics are linen and bamboo cotton. Kenshin’s zouriwere hand-woven by Laura from jute fiber. Tomoe’s kimono silk was dyed from a blend of several colors, and each blossom and sakura branch was individually dyed by hand. Her tabi are vintage silk pieces brought from Japan in the 1950s by a family friend.

Hiko Seijurou, on the other hand… looks like a manga character. Although his igebakama are accurate to period, his hakamashita and cape reflect the character’s ridiculous size and musculature. The six-pack abs are sewn into the hakamashita to reflect the over-the-top ’90s shounen-manga artwork.

With Bonk as Yukishiro Enishi and Ivorivet as Kamiya Kaoru.

Characters

• Laura as Himura Kenshin
• Alena as Yukishiro Tomoe
• Mark as Hiko Seijuro

Awards

• Best In Show, ColossalCon 2011
• Golden Needle Award, Gen Con 2013

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