Because the majority of my cosplay was about sewing, I wanted to tackle the task of sewing all of it myself. The fabric choice was important to me because I wanted my Ashitaka to appear as realistic as possible. I also need to build a bow and arrow as well as several other weapons. As a recent foamsmithing student, I wanted to do a cosplay with a full set of armor to practice what I’ve learned so far. My Princess Mononoke cosplay earned me first place at RenCon. While the sleeves are a modern variation of the traditional hakama, they remain a staple of Ashitaka’s signature look and have become beloved by fans around the world.
His unique look, including his bright red sleeves, has become iconic and has left many fans wondering: is there a name for Ashitaka’s sleeves in Mononoke? The answer, surprisingly, is yes! Ashitaka’s sleeves are known as hakama, a traditional Japanese garment that usually consists of a pleated skirt-like piece worn from the waist to the ankles. When watching the beloved Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke, one of the most memorable characters is undoubtedly Ashitaka.
