Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's Greatest Swordsman: Experiencing the Spirit of Musashi with the 18th of the Niten Ichiryu (The Book of Five Rings:The Book of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind)

【OUTLINE】

Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest swordsman in Japan, was an undefeated samurai. Musashi was invited by the Hosokawa family, the feudal lord of the Kumamoto domain, to spend his later years in Kumamoto, where he founded the Niten Ichiryu school and wrote the Gorin no Sho (Book of Five Rings), which greatly influenced the spirit of bushido. In Kumamoto, the spirit and culture of the samurai built by Musashi and the Hosokawa family is still alive and well today, along with the spirit of the Book of Five Rings. The plan includes a walk in Suizenji Jojuen Garden, an iaido experience, and a Niten Ichiryu demonstration at the Musashikan Dojo, which has a connection with Musashi , together with the 18th generation headmaster who has passed down the Niten Ichiryu for 380 years, and other samurai living today. The program is an experience to learn the essence of the spirit of “The Book of Five Rings” through walking in Suizenji Jojuen Garden, experiencing Iaido, and watching Niten Ichiryu demonstration.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Through this stay, visitors can learn about the spirituality of the Book of Five Rings (Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind).
  
• While strolling through Suizenji Jojuen Garden, visitors can learn about the samurai culture of Kumamoto, where the power of art stopped warfare, and learn about the origins of the Kumamoto samurai and the “bushido” of Musashi Miyamoto. In addition, please enjoy a walk at a special private room at night.
  
• The 17th and 18th generations of the Niten Ichiryu, which has been practiced for 380 years by Miyamoto Musashi, will demonstrate the Niten Ichiryu, and you will experience the spirit of the Kumamoto samurai through Iaido under the guidance of the 18th generation of the headmaster.
• This plan is attractive because you can meet Kumamoto samurai who live in the modern age. You will be guided by a professional guide who is well versed in the samurai spirit and culture, as well as the 18th generation of a family that has been practicing the Niten Ichiryu style of Miyamoto Musashi for approximately 380 years. Please enjoy your encounter with the Samurai of today.
  

【SCHEDULE】

[17:00] Gathering, greeting, general overview

[17:05] 【The Book of Earth】
　　　　・Visit to Izumi Shrine
　　　　・Encounter with Musashi Miyamoto and the Book of Five Rings by a professional guide
　　　　・Walking in the Suizenji Jojuen Garden
　　　　・Tea ceremony in the Kokindenju no Ma

[18:30] Move to Musashikan Dojo (by taxi)

[19:00] 【The Book of Water】【The Book of Fire】
　　　　・Explanation of sword salute
　　　　・Explanation of the relationship between this site and Musashi
　　　　・Change of clothes to Japanese clothes "Dogi"
　　　　・Demonstration by the 18th
　　　　・Iaido experience with the 18th

[20:30] 【The Book of Wind】
　　　　 ・Explanation of Niten Ichiryu
　　　　 ・Niten Ichiryu Demonstration by the 17th and 18th

[20:45] Change of clothes

[21:00] End

【DETAILS】

After arriving at Suizenji Jojuen Garden , we will visit Izumi Shrine. After that, our special guide, who is well versed in samurai culture, will give you a detailed explanation of the plan's theme, “Miyamoto Musashi” and “The Book of Five Rings”. Afterwards, you will visit the “Kokindenju no Ma” to experience the spirit of the samurai while enjoying traditional confections and green powdered tea loved by the samurai of Kumamoto, as well as the story behind the relocation and the traditional Japanese garden scenery. Next is a rare Samurai experience where you will learn authentic Samurai swordsmanship and spirituality from the 18th generation, who has inherited Miyamoto Musashi's “Niten Ichiryu” for about 380 years. Please learn and experience Kumamoto's unique Samurai culture, which is not only about “cutting” but also about facing oneself and improving oneself. Next, you will watch a demonstration of “Niten Ichiryu” by Akinori Matsunaga, the 18th headmaster, and Kazunori Matsunaga, the 17th headmaster. Niten Ichiryu has been handed down for about 380 years. Please enjoy the spirit and culture of Niten Ichiryu.

◆About Suizenji Jojuen Garden
Suizenji Jojuen Garden was built about 400 years ago as a teahouse for the Hosokawa family, the feudal lord of the domain, and was completed as an ancient Japanese garden over a long period of time. Visitors will learn about the aesthetics of the samurai of Kumamoto with a guide as they stroll through the main hall of Izumi Shrine, which is dedicated to the Hosokawa feudal lord who loved the arts, and the Kokin-denju Room, where the history of art stopping war was born, which is unparalleled in the world. The Kokin-denju-no-Ma was built in Kyoto about 400 years ago and moved to Suizenji Seishuen in 1912. It celebrates the elegant charm of Hosokawa Yusai, lord of the Kumamoto domain, who taught waka poetry to the emperor's younger brother. The Noh theater on the grounds was also relocated and dedicated by the Matsui family, former lords of the Yatsushiro Castle.

◆About Musashikan Dojo
Musashi Kan Dojo is an iaido dojo run by the 17th and 18th Soke of Niten Ichiryu. We invite you to experience the world of Samurai in our dojo.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：4 hours
• Meeting point：Suizenji Jojuen Garden・Izumi Shrine　Infront of Otorii
  8-1 Suizenjikoen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto 862-0956 [MAP]
  
• Access：4-minute walk from "Suizenji Koen Station" on the Kumamoto City Tram
• Language support：
  ・Japanese（Guide / Menu instructions）
  ・English（Guide / Menu instructions）
  ・Chinese（Guide）
• Included：
  ・Experience fee
  ・Admission fee
  ・Guide（Japanese / English / Chinese）
• Excluded：
  ・Traveling expenses (from Suizenji Jojuen Garden to Musashikan Dojo)
  ・Food and drink
  
• Clothes：
  ・Please refrain from wearing skirts, dresses, and tight pants in order to dress up on the road during the Iaido experience.
  ・Please wear comfortable shoes for walking in the park.
  
• Participation requirements：
  ・Height 150cm or more
  ・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.
  ・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：
  ・Please note that the content of the experience may change slightly due to weather and other conditions.
  ・In this tour, we will use imitation swords, but we kindly ask that you follow the instructor's safety guidelines and participate with care.
  ・If the tour is canceled due to weather or other circumstances, we will notify you by phone by 4:00 p.m. the day before the tour.
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%