Very popular! SAMURAI EXPERIENCE – Samurai and Samurai Explained

Samurai and Samurai

Samurai existed from as far back as the Heian period to the Edo period.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the “abolition of the sword” order, the abolition of feudal domains, and the “Chindai” period led to the disappearance of the area from the history books.

Samurai were Japanese warriors who carried swords, were skilled in martial arts, and served their sovereigns at all times.

The origin of the word “samurai” is “saburau,” which means to be available to others. The word “samurau” was originally used to mean “to watch over,” or “to watch for.

In the Edo period, when there was a status system, a samurai was classified as a “shi” (warrior) among samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Among the samurai, there were two ranks: samurai and clerks.

Samurai are “shi” who serve the sovereign, and bushi are all “shi” who use the martial arts as a way of life.

Samurai were useful to their lord, had their own fiefdom, and were allowed to ride in times of war, while clerics were on foot in times of war and received rice as their wages.

Noh and Samurai

Noh was considered a samurai art form.

In the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Noh drama was considered one of the various arts that warriors should enjoy.

In the “Book of the Accomplished Traditions of the Samurai,” Nohgaku is mentioned along with archery, horsemanship, and poetry as arts that warriors learn at a young age.

Nobunaga Oda and Hideyoshi Toyotomi, both unrivaled Noh lovers, performed Noh themselves.

It was during the reigns of Tokugawa Iemitsu and Ietsuna that Noh was designated as ceremonial music performed at official ceremonies of the Tokugawa shogunate.

In addition, during the Edo period (1603-1867), many samurai were summoned to Edo from the provinces.

As a way to unify the various dialects of the samurai in their duties in Edo, they were encouraged to study Noh, and Noh became increasingly popular among the samurai.

From these facts, you can see that the history of Nohgaku is deeply connected to the samurai.

Bushido Abroad

If you are interested in explaining Samurai in English, please refer to this article.

Reference article: Explaining Samurai in English Expressions that Correctly Convey Bushido

Moral values developed among the warrior class.

It is the way of life of a samurai, meaning the discipline of a warrior.

Bushido was a concept about loyalty to the sovereign, self-discipline, and respectful and theoretical behavior.

Many books on bushido appear throughout Japanese history.

One of the most popular books written in English by Inazo Nitobe is “Bushido,” which was written by Inazo Nitobe.

Bushido” was written by Inazo Nitobe, based on the ideas of the samurai, about the country of Japan and the Japanese people, so that his foreign wife could understand Japan.

Based on the lifestyle and philosophy of the samurai, the book also describes the Japanese people’s view of and love for nature.

Bushido: The Soul of Japan was published in New York in 1899, and a Japanese translation by Hikoichiro Sakurai was published in 1908.

Bushido: The Soul of Japan” is a favorite book of former U.S. Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy, as well as Robert Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts of America.

fencing

Kenjutsu is the martial art of fighting with a Japanese sword.

It is also known as the mother body of kendo.

Iai is a powerful form of swordsmanship that is very popular overseas because of its resemblance to the image of the samurai that foreigners have.

I would like to mention here the family biography of Yagyu Munenori Yagyu, a military commander of the early Edo period and the founder of the No-gyu shinin ryu school of military arts.

One man’s evil may cause the suffering of all.

However, killing one evil person makes the best of everyone.

Truly, the sword that kills should be the sword that keeps one alive.

It is the killer sword that overcomes the avenging evil and kills without fail, and it is the katsunin sword that “lives” because it kills the evil and thus saves everyone.

As can be seen from the philosophy of swordsmanship, which teaches that

He led kenjutsu as a martial art, which until then had been only one martial art of the battlefield, into a martial art for the higher human being.

And it is not only direct swordsmanship, but also the mental training method of the mind that is taught as important.

The deep connection between samurai and Zen can be seen, as Zen practice is considered effective as a means of training the mind.

I think this is also the secret of the strength and attractiveness of the Samurai from a foreigner’s point of view.

Why are Samurai so popular among foreigners?

History of the word “samurai” in foreign countries

The Japanese-Portuguese Dictionary, a Japanese-Portuguese dictionary published by the Jesuits in the early 17th century.

Bushi and Mononofu are translated as “warrior or soldier,” while Samurai is translated as “noble or respectable person.

Already at that time, samurai were seen as special in the eyes of foreigners.

And Samurai was first identified as English in 1727.

Then, after the opening of the port, the samurai began to appear in foreign correspondence.

I searched for the word “Samurai” on Google Ngram, a trending word search from around 1500 AD.

The word “Samurai” was also used a lot after the opening of the port by Perry’s arrival in Japan.

Then, from 1988 to 1907 around the time of the Russo-Japanese War, there was an explosion of use in various languages, including English, French, and German.

It is assumed that the word “Samurai” was used by newspapers and other media to report on Japan.

The existence of Japan, an island nation in the East that triumphed over Western civilization, would have been reported at the time, including various speculations and imaginings.

Another historical point to keep in mind is Inazo Nitobe’s “Bushido.

The book was first published in 1900.

It was translated into English, German, French, and other languages.

Thereafter, the word slowly declined, but “Samurai” has also appeared in various languages since around 1980, suggesting the influence of Japanese pop culture here.

Samurai in Japanese Pop Culture

If you are interested in learning more about the Bushido experience, please refer to this article.

Reference article: 5 Samurai Images and Bushido Experiences from a Foreigner’s Perspective

At no point in its history has Japan’s popular and pop culture been more established and developed than at any other time in the world.

Samurai have had a great influence on foreign cultures from time to time.

Samurais still appear in many stories today.

Samurai have emerged as fascinating characters in movies, video games, manga, and anime.

Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” is famous as a worldwide hit samurai film.

This work was not well received in Japan at first, but it was highly acclaimed overseas.

And with the spread of video games and anime from around the 1980s, Samurai’s works attracted children from all over the world.

Samurai continue to fascinate, transcending time and place.

In several of their works, their way of life remains noble and colorful.

What makes such Samurai respectable across borders is their respect for others.

The spirit of this spirit is a kindness and gentleness that we should cherish today, and I am attracted to it.

Samurai spirit is also alive and well in the hospitality and courtesy that we value today.

What is the Samurai Experience?

samurai dance

If you are looking for an authentic Japanese experience, the Samurai Performance is just what you are looking for.

Noh play, Kabuki, sword dance and naginata.

The image of Japan inspired by the Samurai is embodied here.

We recommend the Samurai Performance as the perfect Japanese experience for a spectacular and elegant stage performance or a beautiful gala party.

Samurai Enbu is a performance expression of Bushido based on Noh.

This art performance mixes elements of samurai in armor and kabuki.

In the stage which is unfolded by a gorgeous production,

Yashima” and “Benkei: Dannoura” expressed by sword dances of swordsmiths,

And in the fan dance performed by Noh players, “Atsumori” and other plays are performed.

Of course, commentary will be provided for those who have no knowledge of Noh, so that they can enjoy the historical performance and Japanese flavor of Noh.

The powerful naginata sword and the red head and demon masks used to drive away evil spirits are also a powerful sight to behold.

The beautiful techniques and kata unique to the martial arts of bushido and kenjutsu.

And nobility in courtesy and respect for opponents.

Traditional, graceful brilliance of Japanese swords and helmets of armor.

The Japanese cultural spectacle, which is performed with Gagaku-based music, is truly a comprehensive entertainment of the Japanese experience.

sword battle (staged for television, etc.)

For foreigners who would like to become a samurai, we recommend the experience of sword fighting.

Killing is a stand-up fight with a sword in movies and dramas.

Many people are fascinated by the sight of samurai in movies cutting down their enemies one after another.

Participants actually dress up as samurai and cut each other down, so you can experience what it is like to be a real samurai.

And the samurai spirit that you will experience from the training of sword fighting and sword dance.

Zen and the teachings of Bushido, the way of respect for one’s enemies and self-discipline, are the respected ideals of the samurai.

To actually become a Samurai, the hero in the story, is an experience you can only have in Japan.

Motenas Japan can provide a unique Japanese experience, such as a team-building sword fighting experience or a sword fighting experience in a private room for a small group of guests.

summary

Now that I am in Japan, I want to experience Japanese culture! I want to see more of Japan! I want to see more of Japan! Many foreigners would like to see more of Japan!

It is quite a difficult task for foreigners who do not understand Japanese to watch a full-scale Noh play from beginning to end in a Noh theater.

Of course, there are also foreigners who are studying Japanese culture or who love Noh and visit Noh theaters many times themselves.

But not all foreigners are like that, right?

At such times, the Samurai Experience is exactly what foreign customers are looking for.

Easy-to-understand explanations of the Noh stage tailored to the language of the audience and a relaxed venue for viewing.

This is a Samurai Japanese cultural experience with hospitality for foreign guests.

Reference URL : https://www.tripadvisor.jp/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/JP_InboundReport2020.pdf