The two-day Japanese Master Class program includes:
- blade forging;
- mech control technique;
- demonstration of blades of different epochs of Japan (Kamakura, Nambokutyo, Edo, modern times), short lecture;
- external design (sharpening, sai scabbard, habaki making technique);
- making a small blade - hardening the blade and polishing it;
- small-scale production cogay (decorative stud), handles.
Detailed program
Day 1: Tokyo to Nagoya - Seki
8:00 - Tour starts with meeting your guide in the hotel lobby. Transfer by private executive class transportation to Tokyo station. Boarding the train.
08:30-10:12 - Transfer with a guide by train from Tokyo to Nagoya (1 hr. 42 min.). On arrival, meet the driver. Transfer to Seki, Gifu Prefecture (52 km, 1 hr).
Along with the German Solingen, the Japanese. Seki town is one of the most famous cities for the production of edged weapons. The local blacksmiths still make swords in the traditional forging style that has been handed down from generation to generation over the centuries.
After lunch, transfer to Kajita Token Workshop in the suburb of Seki (10 km, 20 min.), whose master is Yoshida Ken, hereditary master of the Japanese school, Naoe Shizu..
This is one of the most famous schools in Japan, which was founded by the disciples of Master Kaneuji, one of the "10 Great Disciples" of the legendary White Master Masamune (1264-1343). The history of Kajita Token dates back about 500 years ago. After Japan had to surrender in World War II, the production of edged weapons was banned and the workshop was closed for 25 years.
About 40 years ago, a few skilled forging specialists who had gained knowledge from old Japanese craftsmen rediscovered the workshop. Since then, in addition to making traditional blades, the workshop's blacksmiths have been appraising, polishing, teaching the craft, and actively involved in promoting the culture of authentic . nihonto.
Master Yoshida himself has been making katanas for years. 40 years. His knowledge and skill was passed on to him by his father. The workshop is filled with ritual and true tradition. Like many traditional craftsmen in Japan, Master Yoshida works under his professional pseudonym, Kanehisa. He and his two assistants work every day wearing special clothes.
In two days Master Kanehisa and his assistants will introduce you to the history and traditions, show and teach you the basics of blade making, and under their careful guidance you will be able to make your own small blade, on which the master will help you put your own name.
In the evening transfer to hotel or ryokan. Dinner, rest.
Day 2. Seki - Tokyo
Breakfast at the hotel or ryokan.
8:00 - Meeting with guide and driver in the lobby. Transfer to the workshop.
- Continuation of the master class.
- After lunch, a visit to the museum with Master Kanehisa. Japan Sword Forging Museum (The Seki Sword Tradition Museum) introduces visitors to the history and tradition of Japan's blacksmiths, which dates back more than 700 years. The museum exhibits various documents and videos and holds forging demonstrations on certain days. Each year on January 2, Japanese blacksmiths dressed in traditional white capes hold a ceremony uchizome-siki - an ancient method of forging traditional edged weapons.
- Attendance of modern and historic edged weapons in the town of Seki
Transfer to Nagoya (1 hr), board the train.
Transfer with guide by shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo. Transfer to the hotel in Tokyo. Accommodation at the hotel, rest.
Day 3. Tokyo
10:00 - Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
10:00-18:00 - Guided tour of Tokyo with private transportation and attend workshops.
- A visit to Sengaku-ji Temple, the famous site of the collective harakiri (ritual suicide) of the 47 ronin of Prince Asano, who took revenge on their master's assailant and thus condemned themselves to death. This temple commemorates the loyalty of a samurai's heart, for whom Japan is above all else, to his duty.
- Classroom visit fencing with samurai katanas. Tetsuro Shimaguchi, the director of blade fighting scenes in many movies, such as Kill Bill. During the class the master will teach you basic stances, offense and defense, as well as play out exciting scenes of fighting with edged weapons with his assistants - 2-2,5 hours.
- The Samurai Museum exhibition museum where the first floor displays samurai armor mainly from the Muromachi period (14th-16th century Japan) and Edo period (17th-19th centuries), and the second floor displays weapons from the Kamakura period.
18:00 - Return to hotel in Tokyo. Rest.
Day 4. Tokyo
10:00-18:00 - Guided tour of Tokyo with private transportation and attend workshops.
- Historical Asakusa district - a visit to Tokyo's most popular of a Buddhist temple Sensoji. It was built in honor of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. According to legend, a gilded figurine of the deity was discovered by two fishermen brothers fishing in their nets on the Sumida River in the area. The monumental temple building is accessed by a busy and always lively Nakamise-dori Souvenir Street.
- Уrock calligraphy in the historic district of Asakusa.
- Пclass attendance playing traditional wadaiko drums.that once lifted samurai into battle and helped invoke the Shinto spirits.
- Observation deck on the 52nd floor of the tower Mori Tower - Roppongi Hills, a fashionable residential and shopping complex that offers fantastically beautiful scenery in the central part of evening Tokyo. It also regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions.
- Пunpopular area Odaiba on the bulk islands in Tokyo Bay. There is a shopping and entertainment center Dex complexlocal Statue of Liberty - an exact replica of its American relative.
18:00 - return to the hotel.
Option! Attendance iaido classes - 1,5-2 ч. You can get to the lesson with the masters only if you are accompanied by an official member of the Traditional Martial Arts Association of Japan (Nihon Kobudo Kyokai). Master classes are conducted by recognized masters-mentors, who during the lesson will introduce the history and philosophy of iaido, as well as demonstrate and teach the basics of this art.
Important! The possibility of access to the classes is specified additionally. If necessary, a substitution with another object on the topic of the excursion will be offered.
