A lesson with a Samurai Master
“When Japan” took a friend to meet a Samurai master and here was the result.
OK, so that was the master and not the apprentice foreigner after his first 45 minute lesson on how to be a Samurai. But the experience is highly recommended.
There are a few schools in and around the Ginza area of Tokyo you can choose from. They seem to offer a “Taiken” lesson (try it out lesson) for around ¥10,000 for an hour. You pay per person and can have a small group 2-3 people seems reasonable, receive the master’s wisdom together. The class “When Japan” took was most entertaining, especially as the Japanese who accompanied “When Japan” for the experience was repeatedly shamed for not have the heart of a true Japanese (he did regain the master’s respect by the end of the session).
Lesson contents
Expect the following from the class we attended.
- How to sit like a samurai
- How to swipe a Samurai sword in various ways
- Note: Tires the arms!
- How to clean and maintain the sword
- Wiping off the blood is essential maintenance!
- How to chop someone in two
- Using a rolled up bamboo mat
You then get to see the master perform some kind of magic. After you’ve felt the weight of the sword you will appreciate that video even more.
