So, I’ve been getting into cosplay lately, and with “Ghost of Tsushima” being such a killer game, I thought, why not try to embody Jin Sakai’s cool ancestor? I mean, it is such a visually stunning game set in feudal Japan, telling the story of Jin Sakai. And you know, dressing up as the Cooper Clan, the notorious Sly Cooper’s ancestor from the game, sounded like a blast. I’ve got some time on my hands and figured this would be a fun project. This game is a wide-open sandbox action-adventure developed by Sucker Punch for the PlayStation 4. And it was released on July 17, 2020. It was back to 1274. I love the story that opens with a massacre where a massive Mongol army attacked.
First things first, I needed to figure out what this guy even looked like. The game doesn’t exactly give you a fashion show, right? So, I did what any sane person would do – I started digging around online for clues. Turns out, there are some in-game items that give you hints. I found out that the “Sly Tanuki” Sword Kit could be snagged from a Pillar of Honor somewhere in the Kamiagata region, specifically Kin Prefecture. That was a start. Then there’s this Crooked Kama Headband that’s apparently chilling on top of Jogaku Temple. With these two pieces, I had a pretty good idea of the core elements of the outfit.
Next up was actually getting my hands on this stuff, or at least, making it. I decided to hit up a few local craft stores and see what I could find. For the headband, I grabbed some sturdy fabric and started shaping it based on the screenshots I had. It wasn’t perfect, but hey, it’s cosplay, not rocket science. I used a sewing machine for most of it, but some parts I had to hand-stitch to get the details right. Took me a couple of evenings, but I was pretty proud of the result.
The sword was a bit trickier. I’m not exactly a blacksmith, so I opted for a wooden replica. Found a decent piece of wood and started carving away. This was definitely the hardest part, and let’s just say there were a few… mishaps along the way. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say I now have a newfound respect for anyone who works with wood. Eventually, I managed to get something that resembled a katana, more or less. Painted it up to match the “Sly Tanuki” design, and it looked pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.
- Crafting the Headband:
- Used sturdy fabric.
- Shaped based on game screenshots.
- Mostly machine-sewn, some hand-stitching for details.
- Making the Sword:
- Carved from wood.
- Painted to match “Sly Tanuki” design.
With the main pieces done, I started working on the rest of the outfit. I found some old clothes that I could modify to fit the feudal Japan vibe. A bit of cutting, sewing, and dyeing later, and I had a pretty decent-looking robe and pants combo. For the shoes, I just grabbed some plain sandals from a thrift store. Nothing fancy, but they did the trick.
Bringing it all Together
Finally, it was time to put it all together. I got dressed up, strapped on the sword, and took a look in the mirror. Not gonna lie, I felt pretty badass. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it definitely captured the spirit of the Cooper Clan ancestor. I even managed to rope a friend into taking some photos of me in a nearby park that had a bit of a Japanese garden vibe. The battle of Tsushima is attractive. We messed around with some poses, trying to channel that whole “stealthy ninja” thing. It was a ton of fun, and the photos turned out pretty great.
All in all, this whole cosplay project was a great experience. It was challenging, sure, but also super rewarding. I learned a lot about crafting, and I got to immerse myself in the world of “Ghost of Tsushima” even more. Plus, now I have a pretty sweet costume for any future gaming events or, you know, just hanging around the house feeling like a samurai.
If you’re thinking about getting into cosplay, I say go for it! It’s a great way to express your creativity and show your love for your favorite games or characters. Just be prepared to put in some work, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy. And hey, if you happen to be a “Ghost of Tsushima” fan, maybe give the Cooper Clan ancestor a try. It’s a pretty unique look, and you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd.
