$1000 iPhone cases belong to samurai, at least in spirit

These iPhone cases from Japanese phone company Softbank were designed specifically to look like they belong to samurai. Each design is themed after a famous warrior's characteristics &mdash for example, the one with the crescent moon would have belonged to Date Masamune, a warlord whose helmet had a crescent moon on it, too. They're made of lacquer with gold specks, which only partially explains the $1000 price tag.

[Japanese press release via Cnet]

8 Comments

toxonix

#1 – 1:08 PM September 4, 2009

If they are urushi lacquer, then the price tag is reasonable. However, I don't know if there is a way to mass produce urushi lacquer ware.
maybe these are hand made?

Anonymous Anonymous

#2 – 1:17 PM September 4, 2009

Wouldn't a Masamune sheath be unlucky?

Sarah

#3 – 10:04 AM September 5, 2009

Do they come with netsuke phone charms?

Jenn

#4 – 5:57 PM September 5, 2009

The rekijo market expands! They are beautiful.

Jeff B

#5 – 8:30 PM September 5, 2009

Note: Price includes an iphone.