How to acquire a kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows and should you choose red or black?

Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe wearing black kosode
(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Naoe needs to acquire a kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows to attend the tea ceremony, but getting one isn't straightforward as you need to help a particular merchant first. The Dress for Success quest sounds simple enough but concludes with you having to steal silk from pirates in Sakai and then choosing either a red or black silk kosode, which Naoe ends up having for the rest of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. To help you get through Dress for Success as smoothly as possible, I've laid out the location of the kosode merchant and the missing silks, and whether you should choose red or black silk.

Assassin's Creed Shadows kosode merchant location

Assassin's Creed Shadows Kosode merchant and stolen silks locations on Sakai map

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The merchant you need to speak to in Assassin's Creed Shadows to acquire a kosode is on the main street that runs along the port in southwestern Sakai, just south of the Money Changer District. Their stall has purple cloth and banners hung around the building and the merchant should be working a large pot outside.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Kosode merchant shop in sakai port

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Speak to the merchant and you'll learn that she can't help you until she gets some stolen silks back. Unsurprisingly, that falls to Naoe, so you need to swim out to the large pirate ship that is furthest west in the Sakai port – it's the one that does not have a viewpoint at the top of its mainmast (see the above map). Loot the wooden box in the middle of the ship to grab the silks, then return to the merchant.

Should you get a red or black kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows?

Assassin's Creed Shadows Kosode merchant red or black silk choice

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Once you return to the AC Shadows kosode merchant with the silk, she'll offer to make you a kosode for free using black Portuguese silk or red Chinese silk. Like many of the choices in this questline, there is no wrong answer and no immediate consequences, so go with whichever color you think suits Naoe best, which completes the Dress for Success quest.

Later on, one of the women at the Assassin's Creed Shadows tea ceremony points out that Naoe hasn't caught up with the latest fashion in Sakai, regardless of your choice – some people are just hard to please. After that, you'll make the Assassin's Creed Shadows confront Otama or Wakasa choice and then won't need the kosode after that.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe wearing red kosode in cutscene

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The one long-term effect this choice has is that it determines the color of Naoe's relaxed clothing that she wears at the Assassin's Creed Shadows Hideout, which you only see in certain cutscenes or when you're playing as Yasuke.

The kosode helps you get face-to-face with one target, but you'll need to find Mitsumune in Assassin's Creed Shadows to help with a different target and then go through with the Assassin's Creed Shadows Yaya or Mitsumune choice later.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Will Sawyer
Guides Writer

Will Sawyer is a guides writer at GamesRadar+ who works with the rest of the guides team to give readers great information and advice on the best items, how to complete a particular challenge, or where to go in some of the biggest video games. Will joined the GameRadar+ team in August 2021 and has written about service titles, including Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Warzone, as well as some of the biggest releases like Halo Infinite, Elden Ring, and God of War Ragnarok.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Imai Sokyu leads the tea ceremony in Assassin's Creed Shadows
All the best Assassin's Creed Shadows tea ceremony answers and walkthrough
Assassin's Creed Shadows Wakasa and Otama choice after tea ceremony
Should you confront Otama or Wakasa in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe in outfit
Best Assassin’s Creed Shadows armor for Naoe and Yasuke
How to retrieve the box in Assassin's Creed Shadows
How to retrieve the box in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Imai Sokyu leads the tea ceremony in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows' tea ceremony quest is one of the game's best moments, but I wish Ubisoft would give us even higher stakes
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe and Yasuke
Should you choose Naoe or Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Latest in Assassin's Creed
Imai Sokyu leads the tea ceremony in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows' tea ceremony quest is one of the game's best moments, but I wish Ubisoft would give us even higher stakes
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe wearing black kosode
How to acquire a kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows and should you choose red or black?
Bayonetta 3 screenshot showing bayonetta looking at a gun
As Assassin's Creed Shadows passes 2 million players, Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya reveals "I felt bad that it was being criticized so much"
Assassin's Creed Shadows romance options Naoe pulling Gennojo in for a kiss
Ubisoft reminds Assassin's Creed Shadows players that you control the buttons you press, even when it comes to romance: "Flirting in RPG games is always optional"
Assassin's Creed Shadows Mitsumune and Naoe
How to find Mitsumune in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows engravings
Best Engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Latest in Guides
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe wearing black kosode
How to acquire a kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows and should you choose red or black?
Assassin's Creed Shadows Mitsumune and Naoe
How to find Mitsumune in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows engravings
Best Engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe facing off against samurai warrior on red bridge
Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows have New Game Plus?
FC 25
FC 25 Dreamchasers tracker and full UEFA promo guide
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe "justice must be served" or "killing them isn't justice" Yaya and Mistumune choice
Should you side with Mitsumune or Yaya in Assassin's Creed Shadows?