Experience Samurai and Iaido Culture at Taishoji Temple

【STORY】

Miyamoto Musashi, the undefeated samurai and one of Japan's most renowned swordsman, was the author of the Book of Five Rings and began the Niten Ichi-ryu style of swordfighting. In his later years, Musashi was invited to live in Kumamoto by the Hosokawa family who ruled over Kumamoto at the time. In Kumamoto, the samurai spirit and culture established by Musashi and the Hosokawa family continue to thrive to this day. This activity allows you to immerse yourself in the spirit of the samurai by visiting the site of Taishoji Temple, a place deeply connected to Miyamoto Musashi and learn about the art of tea ceremony (known as "chanoyu") and the Niten Ichi-ryu swordfighting techniques that have been passed down through an unbroken lineage for approximately 380 years. After these activities, participants will then enjoy a lunch box filled with Kumamoto's culinary delights.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• This experience takes place at the site of Taishoji Temple, the family temple of the Hosokawa family who ruled over Kumamoto for centuries and promoted the arts. Guests will be allowed exclusive access to an area that is normally off limits to the public.
• One of Japan's traditional arts is the tea ceremony, also known as "chanoyu." Participants will learn about the Japanese ideas of wabi-sabi and omotenashi that originated in Japanese tea ceremony.
• Feel the spirit of the Kumamoto samurai through a demonstration of Niten Ichi-ryu swordfighting by the 17th and 18th generation heads of the school and practice iaido under the guidance of the 18th generation head.
• For lunch, you will have a bento box filled with Kumamoto specialties and enjoy it with your instructor for the day. Lunch will be served at Taishoji Temple.
• This tour offers the opportunity to meet actual Kumamoto samurai. The guide for this activity is the 18th generation head of the main Niten Ichi-ryu school founded by Miyamoto Musashi, the techniques of which have been passed down for approximately 380 years.
  

【SCHEDULE】

[10:00]　Changing into dogi clothing and participating in tea ceremony
[10:50]　Iaido experience
[11:50]　Watch Niten Ichi-ryu demonstration
[12:10]　Lunch
[14:00]　End

【EXPERIENCE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION】

◆Detailed schedule
Upon arrival at Taishoji Temple, participants will first change into a training outfit called a dogi. Then, participants will participate in a tea ceremony to calm their minds and experience the spirit of the samurai.
Next, participants will witness a demonstration of Niten Ichi-ryu by the 18th generation head of the school, Akinori Matsunaga, and the 17th generation head, Kazunori Matsunaga. Niten Ichi-ryu is a martial art style developed by Miyamoto Musashi that has been passed down for approximately 380 years. Next, participants can try their hand at iaido, the art of quick-draw sword techniques, under the tutelage of 18th generation master Akinori Matsunaga. This experience will be tailored based on the interests and experience of the participants. After the activity, participants will have lunch at the site of Taishoji Temple. Participants will receive a bento box filled with local Kumamoto dishes, giving guests a taste of Kumamoto's food culture.

◆About Taishoji Temple
The site of Taishoji Temple is a nationally designated historical site. The temple is deeply connected to the cultures of tea and traditional crafts and is the family temple of the Hosokawa family who ruled over Kumamoto and promoted the arts.
Currently, the 19th generation head of the Hosokawa family, Morimitsu Hosokawa, resides on the premises.
It is said that Miyamoto Musashi was friends with the chief priest of Taishoji and often visited the temple. It is also said that a grand funeral ceremony for Musashi was held at the temple.
The grounds feature a garden centered around a beautiful moss garden, tombs for four of the earliest members of the Hosokawa family to come to Kumamoto, a teahouse, and a memorial stone for Miyamoto Musashi.
(This activity will be offered in areas that are not normally open to the public.)

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：4 hours
• Meeting point：Site of Taishoji Temple [MAP]
  4-610 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0862
  
• Access：20 minutes by taxi from JR Kumamoto Station
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Included：
  ・Activity
  ・English guide
  ・Bento box
  
• Clothes：
  When changing into the dogi clothing, you may keep T-shirts and tops on, but please remove jackets or other heavy outerwear. As such, we kindly request that you wear clothing that is easy for us to dress you in. You may wear pants under your dogi, but skirts or dresses may impede your movements.
  
• Participation requirements：
  ・Height of 150 cm or above
  ・Please consult with us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions regarding your lunch
  ・We do not accept participants who only wish to observe. Please contact us in advance if you will be accompanying another participant and wish to observe the activity only.
  ・Strollers are accessible.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
  ・Not recommended for pregnant travelers.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
• Special support：Luggage storage is available.
  
• Free WI-FI：No
  
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)
• Other things to note：
  ・The iaido experience will be conducted outdoors, but in the case of rain, the activity will be moved indoors. Please note that the contents of the activity may be slightly changed for the indoor experience.
  ・Imitation swords will be used in this activity, but participants will need to follow the instructions of the teacher as using the swords incorrectly can be dangerous.
  ・If the tour is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, we will notify you by phone by 4:00 p.m. the day before the tour.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

1 month to 15 days before the experience date　20%
14 to 8 days before the experience date　50%
7 days to the day of the experience date　100%
After the experience begins, No show　100%