Experience True Sharpness of Samurai Swords: Bushido Slashing Trial near Osaka Castle

Overview

Discover the sharpness and strength of samurai swords, their artistic beauty, and the moral code of bushido, through this immersive iaido experience.

Unlike sport, the practice of budo inherits the spirit of bushido and trains the mind, technique, and body as one, to refine character, enhance moral sense, value courtesy, and cultivate honor.

This immersive experience takes you through the world of the samurai, starting with dressing in traditional attire and learning the significance of the samurai sword. You'll then practice basic sword techniques under the guidance of a master, culminating in a trial slashing demonstration with a real samurai sword. Finally, you'll delve into the samurai language and receive souvenir expressions, capturing your experience with a professional photography service.

Highlights

• Try the only fully-immersive samurai experience near Osaka Castle!
• Experience the true sharpness of a samurai sword
• Learn and practice basic sword stances
• Enjoy a photography service to capture your serious samurai poses during the experience
• Book with a Rakuten account to earn points for each reservation!

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)

What to Bring

Undergarments to wear beneath samurai outfit (e.g. t-shirt and underpants)

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Meeting Point

Samurai Honor, Excellence Takayama 1F

Venue Address

Excellence Takayama, 2-3-19 Shiginonishi, Joto-ku, Osaka-shi, Ōsaka Prefecture, Japan, 536-0014

Cancellation Policy

No-show: You pay 100% of experience price

Same day: You pay 100% of experience price

Previous day: Free cancellation

Description

Delve into the sword techniques of the samurai, explore the spirit of bushido, and experience the discipline and honor of these legendary warriors.

Activity 1: Preparation

Change into a samurai costume ("dogi" and "hakama") and transform into a samurai. The Japanese sword is the most effective blade and was exclusively worn by samurai.

Activity 2: Bowing

Training begins and ends with a bow before the shrine, based on the idea of training with the power of the ancient god of war, as a shrine is enshrined in the "dojo" (training hall).

Activity 3: Explanation of swords and samurai manners

Understand the relationship between the samurai and the Japanese sword. From a young age, samurai learned how to use a sword and were allowed to wear a serious sword belt at the age of 15. At that time, they became aware of their self-respect and the responsibility of carrying a deadly weapon. Samurai lived inseparable lives with their swords, never parting with them, even in peaceful times. They always kept their swords close to protect themselves. Even while eating or sleeping, they remained prepared to draw their swords if needed. The sword was the soul of the samurai and could not be sold, even if they starved to death.

Walking with a sword belt and practicing the gestures of walking. Practice wearing the belt and adopting the samurai walk.

Activity 4: Practice the basics with the "iai" (swordsmanship) practice sword

"Battou" – Drawing the sword out of the scabbard (to cut).

"Chiburui" – Symbolically removing blood from the blade of a sword after cutting a person.

"Nottou" – Returning the sword to its sheath (after blood removal).

Activity 5: Experience sword techniques directly from a master, including basic "kata" (forms) and stances, and sword swings.

Middle Stance

Upper Stance

Lower Stance

Eight-Phase Stance

Side Stance

Swing the sword from the stance of swing...swing...swing. When swinging the sword down, be aware that you are swinging with the weight of the sword, without using your arm strength. If you are swinging correctly, you will hear a "hi-nari" sound from the sword.

Activity 6: Trial slashing demonstration by a master swordsman

Experience the world's sharpest real samurai sword for yourself. From an early age, samurai learned from their parents the pride of always carrying a Japanese sword and the responsibility of carrying a dangerous weapon in public.

Activity 7: Souvenirs from teacher (samurai language)

This refers to the language used mainly by the samurai class during the Warring States period. Samurai valued loyalty to their lord, discipline, and the spirit of bushido, and this spirit was reflected in their language.

"Katajikenai" ― A word that expresses gratitude and humility toward the other person more strongly than "arigatou" (thank you).

"Arigataki shiawase ni" ― A traditional expression meaning "extremely fortunate, a rare coincidence.”

Photography service to capture serious figures during the activity. We will send you the photo data within two days. The experience ends with a bow.