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Home » Fashion & Beauty » Japan Nakama X Kumagumi: The Eiga Collection

Japan Nakama X Kumagumi: The Eiga Collection

Japanese cinema inspired clothing

Simon Martin by Simon Martin
31 March 2022
in Fashion & Beauty, Trending, TV & Film
0
🔖 4 min read

Japan is well-known for its distinct culture, particularly its cinema. For over a century, the country has been producing films that are both artistic and popular, appealing to both critics and audiences alike. Japanese cinema’s unique aesthetic can truly mesmerise you. However, Godzilla, Seven Samurai, and The Street Fighter would not have been conceivable without the efforts of a few industry titans.

Introducing The Eiga Collection by Kumagumi: a range of Japanese-inspired clothes that embodies the spirit of ‘The Kingpins’ of Japanese cinema. The collection was put together with the hope of creating Japanese cinema accessible to both long-time aficionados and people who are new to the genre.

Read more to find out who inspired Kumagumi’s Eiga collection.

Shop The Eiga Collection

Quick View

  • Sonny Chiba
  • Toshiro Mifune
  • Akira Kurosawa
  • Ken Takakura
  • Kinji Fukasaku
  • Ishiro Honda
  • Who Are Kumagumi?
  • Shop the Kumagumi Eiga Collection

Sonny Chiba: The Street Fighter

Sonny Chiba: The Street Fighter
Image credit Martial Arts Action Movies

A veteran of Japanese television and movies. Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba was a legend in his own right, his martial arts skills were shown in over a hundred films, dazzling audiences across the globe. He was the epitome of the Japanese “anti-hero”, portraying samurai, fighters and police detectives.

Although his fame was built on extraordinary levels of violence & many of his films were considered rough around the edges, he had an unrivalled work ethic. 

The Street Fighter (1974), in which Chiba portrayed a mercenary fighting Yakuza criminals, was his worldwide breakthrough. The film was a hit and contained some of the most extreme brutality in martial arts. In recent times, he is best known for his critically acclaimed role as Hanzo Hattori in the Kill Bill trilogy.

Toshiro Mifune: The Last Samurai

Toshiro Mifune: The Last Samurai
Image credit Akira Kuroswawa

Toshiro Mifune, often known as ‘The Last Samurai,’ was a physical force unlike anything seen in film before. Mifune’s samurai movies, most remembered for his collaborations with Akira Kurosawa (together, they worked on 16 films), created the concept of the action star long before there was such a thing.

Modern cinema heroes owe a lot to Toshiro Mifune, who appeared in Kurosawa masterpieces like “Seven Samurai” and “Yojimbo,” delivering a fierce centrepiece of performances.

Mifune has played a wide range of roles. From samurai, ronins, fools to Zen masters. His performances, his quirkiness and sensitivity coexisted in interplay, producing vibrant and fascinating characters. Mifune carried the concept of personality to the film and beyond with his fierce and extremely creative performance. A True legend of cinema.

Akira Kurosawa: The Emperor

Akira Kurosawa: The Emperor
Image credit BFI

Akira Kurosawa, one of cinema’s most important directors who influenced a generation of filmmakers. George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg have all claimed to have been profoundly impacted by Kurosawa’s work.

Kurosawa had a strong sense of aesthetics, which meant that he paid a lot of attention to cinematography and filming. This attention often went above and beyond what other directors would expect from their cameramen. Kurosawa won international acclaim, with such films as Rashomon (1950), Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957), Kagemusha (1980), and Ran (1985).

Kurosawa’s biggest legacy may be the introduction of Asian film to Western audiences. Even though many people don’t know about some of his best work, his cultural ambassadorship connected the east and west in the history of international film.

Kurosawa formed an illustrious partnership with Mifune that spanned 16 films.

Ken Takakura: The Master of the Yakuza role

Ken Takakura: The Master of the Yakuza role
Image credit The Times

Ken Takakura was a Japanese actor most known for his roles as the rugged outsider in action and gangster films, including “The Pursuit” and “The Call of the Far Mountain.” Takakura came to represent ‘Yakuza Cinema’ during his acting career.

Takakura was described as sombre, serious, and hard-hitting while playing strong characters with a sense of justice. And no word characterises Takakura’s performances more than dignified. Takakura could exude honour even when playing a criminal.

His characters weren’t faultless though, and it made his hardships more relatable. Takakura’s acting talent and command of the English language helped him go on to feature in a number of Hollywood films.

Kinji Fukasaku: The Japanese Thrill-Master

Kinji Fukasaku: The Japanese Thrill-Master
Image credit Arrow Films

The Maverick Kinji Fukasaku was a well-known Japanese filmmaker noted for his diverse and imaginative filmmaking.  Fukasaku distinguished himself early on with a series of Toei Studio yakuza films, before moving on to direct the hit Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970).

He directed 60films in his four-decade career, covering issues as diverse as organised crime’s code of conduct, World War II and its fallout, the nuances of Japanese male-female relationships, and the very essence of Japan’s cultural tradition.

His last film Battle Royale presented Fukusaku’s depiction of an adult-ruled society’s brutal eradication of teenage desires.

Ishiro Honda: The Father of Kaiju Eiga Films

Ishiro Honda: The Father of Kaiju Eiga Films
Image credit Britannica

Ishirō Honda was a Japanese director who worked closely with Kurosawa but is arguably most recognised for his main role in the 1950s and 1960s kaijū eiga (“monster movie”) craze.

While not as well-known or recognised as his Japanese contemporaries Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, Honda had a long successful career — after all, he was the man who first brought Godzilla to the big screen.

Honda intended to give Japan’s first monster movie a feeling of reality and authenticity. Godzilla is a classic cinematic tale of nuclear war and science gone wrong. Throughout his work on the kaijū eiga films, Honda spoke to scientists and academics on how to make his stories more realistic. To be as genuine as possible, he ordered his actors to behave as they would in any circumstance, no matter how absurd.

Who Are Kumagumi?

Kumagumi is a Japanese clothing brand created in 2015 in Kobe, Japan by two longtime friends (Japanese and French). They started selling Japanese imported consoles on eBay in 2008 and launched Kumagumi in 2015.

“Kuma” (/ Bear) and “Gumi” (Group) inspire the days, hours, and years spent playing video games with pals whilst hibernating like bears.

Kumagumi’s goal is to provide high-quality retro-gaming & film appreciation clothing that can be worn in everyday situations.

Shop the Kumagumi Eiga Collection

Potato Chip Food Bag Clips

Tortilla or Potato Chip Food Bag Clips (Set of 4)

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6.5 oz heavyweight T-Shirt
100% USA cotton
Vintage-inspired graphic
Hand screen-printed with water-based ink
Made in the USA*The usage of eco-friendly water-based ink will reward you with a naturally faded vintage look upon consistent wear and wash.

S/S ‘22 Logo T-shirt

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For when you get chilly on a summer evening by the lake, or simply need something comfy to throw on, this lightweight unisex Game Over Hoodie with a modern fit, hood, front zip, and a kangaroo pocket is a way to go.• 50% polyester, 25% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon
• Fabric weight 5.6 oz/yd² (189.9 g/m²)
• Unisex fit (men may want to order a size up for a looser fit)
• Side-seamed construction
• Hooded
• Kangaroo pocket
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, or the US 

Game Over Hoodie

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Our soft and comfy unisex Fuji Pop Anime Hoodie fits all your hoodie needs. The fleece fabric makes it a great partner all year round, be it a summer evening on the beach, or a Christmas dinner in a mountain cabin.• 52% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, 48% poly fleece
• Heather colors are 60% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, 40% poly fleece
• Fabric weight: 6.5 oz/yd² (220.4 g/m²)
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, the US, or Honduras 

Fuji Pop Hoodie

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Who knew that the softest hoodie you'll ever own comes with such a cool design. You won't regret buying our Usagi Room Anime Hoodie - a classic streetwear piece of apparel with a convenient pouch pocket and warm hood for chilly evenings.• 100% cotton face
• 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester
• Front pouch pocket
• Self-fabric patch on the back
• Matching flat drawstrings
• 3-panel hood
• Blank product sourced from Pakistan

Usagi Room Hoodie

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Choose this unisex Akihabara Hoodie and enjoy all it has to offer. It's soft, comfy, and can be easily styled with a pair of jeans and sneakers for a cozy, yet stylish look.• 50% cotton, 50% polyester (up to 5% recycled polyester, made from plastic bottles)
• Fabric weight: 7.8 oz/y² (264.5 g/m²)
• Patented low-pill, high-stitch density PrintPro® XP fleece
• Cover-stitched armholes and waistband
• Ribbed cuffs and waistband
• Matching drawcords
• Front pouch pocket
• Blank product sourced from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua 

Akihabara Hoodie

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Our soft and comfy Plastic Love - Maria Takeuchi - City Pop Hoodie fits all your 80s Japan needs. The fleece fabric makes it a great partner all year round, be it a summer evening on the beach, or a Christmas dinner in a mountain cabin.• 52% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, 48% poly fleece
• Heather colors are 60% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, 40% poly fleece
• Fabric weight: 6.5 oz/yd² (220.4 g/m²)
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, the US, or Honduras 

Plastic Love Hoodie

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Enrich your wardrobe with our Love Vibe Long Sleeve Anime T-shirt. For a casual look, combine it with your favorite jeans, and layer it with a button-up shirt, a zip-up hoodie, or a snazzy jacket. Dress it up with formal trousers or chinos to achieve a more professional look.• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic Heather is 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142.4 g/m²)
• 32 singles
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Crewneck
• Cover-stitched collar
• 2″ (5 cm) ribbed cuffs
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, or the US 

Love Vibe Long Sleeve T-shirt

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Designed by breadwithbutter.exe. Enrich your wardrobe with our Digital Waifu Long Sleeve Anime T-shirt. For a casual look, combine it with your favorite jeans, and layer it with a button-up shirt, a zip-up hoodie, or a snazzy jacket. Dress it up with formal trousers or chinos to achieve a more professional look.• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic Heather is 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142.4 g/m²)
• 32 singles
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Crewneck
• Cover-stitched collar
• 2″ (5 cm) ribbed cuffs
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, or the US

Digital Waifu Long Sleeve T-shirt

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Designed by Club2Tokyo, this Tokyo Nights Anime T-Shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all.• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping 

Tokyo Nights T-Shirt

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Designed by Club2Tokyo, this Vaporwave Sunset Anime T-Shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all.• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

Vaporwave Sunset T-Shirt

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Designed by Club2Tokyo, this Pastel Shower Anime T-Shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all.• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

Pastel Shower T-Shirt

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Tags: Akira KurosawaBattle RoyaleIshiro HondaJapanese CinemaKen TakakuraKinji FukasakuRashomonSeven SamaraiSonny ChibaToshiro MifuneYakuza Movies
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