Treasuring Honor at Osaka Castle: Deep Samurai Life Bushido Experience

Overview

Experience a rare deep dive into the world of the samurai, complete with armor and a visit to a castle that has witnessed both prosperity and upheaval.

Delve into the history of the Tenkyojin and the Tokugawa, and learn about the famous castle that stands as a testament to their glory. Become a samurai of the Toyotomi Clan, learn bushido, and enter the battle of Osaka Castle! Close-up professional photography is included, so you won't miss a moment of this extraordinary and precious experience.

This immersive experience includes donning a traditional kimono, practicing the art of calligraphy, participating in a formal tea ceremony, learning swordsmanship and trying trial cutting, and finally, wearing samurai armor for a memorable photo opportunity on the grounds of Osaka Castle.

Highlights

• Don samurai armor and take photos on the grounds of Osaka Castle
• Express your whole body dynamically and put your soul into your samurai character
• Learn how to use a sword and try your hand at trial cutting ("tameshigiri")
• Wear a kimono, a symbol of Japan, and experience traditional Zen culture
• Practice calligraphy and learn the art of samurai calligraphy

Important Information

Suitable for ages 6+

Please bring undershirts and underpants (t-shirts are acceptable) to wear as innerwear for hakama and kimono; we have a few innerwear available for loan, but sizes are limited

Japanese swords are handled by a master with 10 years of swordsmanship experience, who will instruct you before you try out the sword

Staff who can speak two or three languages (English, Spanish, and Japanese) will provide interpretation

A welcome drink is provided: taste matcha, a traditional Japanese popular beverage (quench your thirst with iced green matcha during the summer months)

About Calligraphy

The following information is required by the calligraphy teachers in preparation for the activity; please inform us of the following information before the day of the experience:

Your full name

Email address to send the photo shooting data to

Optional Add-On

Hanging Scrolls: For an additional 2,200 JPY, add a hanging scroll featuring traditional Japanese art with 1300 years of history; challenge yourself to write the kanji you have practiced on the hanging scroll or ask a master to write your mastery skills on it as a souvenir

Description

The experience lasts 180 minutes (210 minutes for "Harakiri Plan") and offers a full Zen and Bushido learning experience. Calligraphy and tea ceremony are closely related to Zen, while Bushido represents an awareness of the mindset (swordsmanship) and way of life (fighting in armor) of the samurai in a samurai society.

Activity 1: Wearing a Kimono

Time required: 15 minutes

Wearing a kimono, a symbol of Japan, you will experience traditional culture. "Zen" is alive and well in our traditional culture of calligraphy and tea ceremony and is imbued with the aesthetic sense of Japanese culture. By learning these arts, one can acquire the spirit of courtesy, manners, beautiful gestures, and hospitality. Before experiencing this, you will be asked to change into a kimono. Men are invited to wear "hakama" (traditional Japanese trousers) and "tabi" (split-toe socks) and become a samurai. Women may wear a gorgeous kimono and become a "Yamato Nadeshiko" (an idealized Japanese woman). Kimonos for children over 6 years old are also available.

Activity 2: Learning and Practicing Calligraphy

Time required: 30 minutes

Participants practice how to hold a brush and how to use tools. Then, students practice how to hold the brush and use the tools.

Activity 3: Samurai Calligraphy

Time required: 15 minutes

When a samurai foresees his death, he looks back on his life so far and writes his last words on earth with a brush. The participants will write the kanji they have just chosen, paying attention to the technique.

Activity 4: Samurai Tea Ceremony

Time required: 30 minutes

The master of the tea ceremony prepares and serves powdered green tea to the guests. You will learn various things such as etiquette, manners, beautiful gestures, hospitality, and traditional Japanese culture.

Activity 5: Samurai Sword Trial Cutting

Time required: 30 minutes

You will learn how to use a sword and become aware of your self-respect and the responsibility of carrying a deadly weapon. At that time, you will be allowed to wear a serious sword. Participants will try their hand at sword cutting with a samurai sword. Experience the best cutting edge in the world.

Activity 6: Wearing Armor to Battle!

Time required: 60 minutes

It is April 1615, and the Osaka Summer Battle has begun. You, a member of Toyotomi's side, wear armor and go into battle. Pretend to be the best soldier in Japan and take pictures on the grounds of Osaka Castle!

Total

13,750 JPY

Rakuten Point:

+125

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