Women Warriors Tee

女武士録 (onna-bushi roku): "a record of women warriors."

Aizu, autumn 1868. The Boshin War had reached the castle town of Wakamatsu, and Nakano Takeko, a naginata instructor of twenty-one, led a band of women into the fight against the imperial army. She was shot during the charge. Her sister Yūko took her head so the enemy couldn't claim it as a trophy, and it was buried at Hōkai-ji, where her grave still stands.

Two women in black kimono patterned with orange waves stand side by side on the front, two swords apiece, under the big orange title 女武士録 (onna-bushi roku), "a record of women warriors." The small tags around them say 浪人 (rōnin), "masterless samurai," 日本 (Nihon), "Japan," and 剣豪 (kengō), "master swordsman," which turns up four times.

It's for Saturday mornings at the dojo, or for a history reader who already knows the name Nakano Takeko. The big orange title is clear on the white front. She has company among our samurai and warrior tees.

• Fabric: 100% combed cotton, 230gsm, pre-shrunk and soft-washed
• Print: direct-to-garment (DTG)
• Color: white
• Fit: unisex, regular; size up for a boxier, oversized look
• Sizes: S to 3XL
• Size reference: 6 ft 2 in wears L; 5 ft 7 in wears M

Measurements for every size are in the size guide.