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Learn the spirit of bushido while having fun experiencing kendo.
The name "Saishikan" is derived from the hope that those who study kendo here will "become colorful and unique samurai”. Kendo is often considered a hard sport in which one fights vigorously against an opponent, but at Saishikan, guests can experience kendo while having fun. At Saishikan kendo is thought of as "KENDO," an acronym for "Kind Enjoy Natural Design Open," with a goal to create a kendo environment that is "friendly, exciting, fun, and open to everyone”, allowing people to design their own style as they naturally are. The instructor is Toshihiro Enoki, a former teacher who once led a junior high school kendo team to a national tournament championship.
Kendo has its roots in swordsmanship, the art of fighting with a sword. The foundation of kendo was laid in the Edo period (1603-1867) when the age of warfare ended, and samurai began to practice fighting with shinai (bamboo sword) to prevent losing their instincts for actual combat since they were less likely to use a real sword. The philosophy then shifted from "Satsujin sword," which kills the opponent, to "katsujin swords," which bring the opponent to life. Kendo has not become an Olympic sport because it values bushido's spirit, which is "learning the heart," rather than "killing the opponent = winning."
In this hands-on program, participants will learn basic kendo etiquette, such as "beginning and ending with a bow, "how to grip and hold the shinai (bamboo sword), how to move their feet, how to swing the shinai, and how to strike with the shinai, in an easy-to-understand manner. In class, students learn "fire stance" for "upper stance" and "water stance" for "middle stance," which may remind them of the manga "Kimetsu-No- Yaiba (Demon Slayer)" for many. The moment you get “ippon” (striking by the shinai) with "Zen-shu-chu(full concentration)" toward the teacher wearing the Dogi. Prepare yourself for a full-on experience, start-to-finish, with all the best of kendo.
There’s also a chance to take a commemorative photo wearing a kendo-gi, kendo mask and other equipment. The service also offers a hand towel used for wearing the mask as a souvenir.
Kendo “begins and ends with bowing.”
Ms. Take, a female fencer, is also teaching.
Align the tip of the shinai with the tip of the sword and measure the distance between you and your opponent.
Practice Suburi, swinging shinai up and down.
The basic kendo stance, the "middle stance."
Strike Men with a shout of "MEN! "
Model performance by instructors
Commemorative photo with Mr.Toshihiro Enoki and Ms. Take of Saishikan
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Fun experience for the whole family. You get to learn about samurai culture and history in a hands-on way.
Extremely satisfied. It was fun and I learned something new.
You can dress up and take photos here! You get to wear kendo gear, including the uniform, mask, and chest protector. Plus, you can even take home the towel used under the mask as a souvenir! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
