Samurai & Ninja Experience in Osaka, Japan!
Written by aki
2023.11.28
Category: experience Japanese culture
A Korean friend of mine had a Samurai & Ninja experience in Osaka. He sent us some photos and here are his impressions of the experience!
Japan Tate-do Association
This time, my friend went to experience the “Japan Tate-do Association” in Yotsubashi, Osaka.
The association promotes Japanese etiquette, expression, imagination, and traditional culture to the general public, and offers samurai and ninja experiences as part of its activities.
They are about a 30 second walk from the station.
As soon as you enter, you will see Japanese swords and armor hanging on the wall, which my friend says is a very exciting space.
Now the experience begins. Let’s be a Samurai or Ninja!
The friends were taught in turn the etiquette, kata, and sword handling necessary to become a samurai, and finally tried their hand at “TATE(殺陣),” a traditional Japanese acting technique. The experience lasted 60 minutes.
They can choose their favorite outfit from the photos on the board.
After changing clothes, they start with seiza (the Japanese way of sitting) and rei (Japanese bowing).
My friend said, “It is quite difficult to be polite while keeping a straight back. According to the staff, some foreigners who are not accustomed to sitting in seiza “hurt their legs! “Some foreigners who are not accustomed to sitting in seiza exclaim, “My legs hurt!
Next, touch a Japanese sword!
Once they were able to keep the correct posture, they learned the movements with katana for the next lesson.
This is a scene you often see in anime and manga!
From this position, he holds the sheath of the sword, steps forward with his right foot, and draws the sword at once.
A friend of mine said, “This sword pulling was quite difficult. He said, “The teacher who teaches me does it without difficulty, but it is more difficult than I imagined”.
Still, he was able to do it after a few practice sessions. Amazing!
Next, experience TATE
Once he was able to handle a sword, he practiced acting.
He first saw the example set by fellow teachers. Each movement was very cool, he said.
It is said to be very powerful with sound effects. I would like to see it once.
Next, friends also practiced and played TATE.
They had fun acting, even ad-libbing.
In addition to the TATE experience, you can also have a ninja experience!
Japan Tate-do Association offers four hands-on courses.
Some visitors can even pretend to be a ninja and try their hand at shuriken throwing!
In addition to the 60-minute course that my friend went to this time, there is a quick course that includes only a commemorative photo and practice, and a special course where you can enjoy a powerful samurai show.
That facility has quite a few international customers, and there is a reservation site for foreigners.You should definitely go there!
Click here for the English site
https://yatte.me/en/services/reserve/svc_4772056d1f1944a5b46a16c1c118/