Become a Samurai warrior in Tokyo Discover ancient Japanese martial arts, guided by KOBUDO MUSUBI

Right from the start…

I travel from Tokyo to Haruhino station in Kawasaki.

This is an easy train ride, about 40 minutes from Shinjuku station. Outside rush hours, travel is very smooth and brings a view of southern Tokyo and the bordering city Kawasaki, which look so very different than central Tokyo.

At Haruhino station, I meet Yui and Hiroyuki, before driving to a nearby location. They are both wearing very cool outfits, which I would describe as traditional warrior outfit with a modern touch.

Yui shares with me that she has started learning and practicing Kobudo (ancient-style martial arts) five years ago, and has studied under the grand master Hiroyuki Yashiro. They are both performing artists, and I’m excited to be in their company. I’m also getting more and more curious about how they will bring Kobudo to life.

Class preparation

While we wait for the other students to arrive, the teachers prepare for class.

I get to wear a samurai outfit

I get to wear a samurai outfit which I’m sure is not battle armor, but rather, a traditional outfit for training. This includes a kimono and the umanori hakama, traditional wide trousers with pleats. Yui helps me in the outfit, securing the straps that will keep the hakama in place. Once fitted, it’s pretty comfortable, especially thanks to the koshi-ita, a rigid piece in the back that helps my posture.
Maybe it’s just me, but I absolutely love this outfit. It’s like I feel stronger and ready for the martial arts lesson, which is just about to begin.

A quick preview of the next two hours

Yui teaches us about Kobudo and walks us through the next two hours.

“Ko” stands for “ancient”, and “budo” stands for martial arts, hence ancient-style martial arts. We learn that the modern style of martial arts, which we know today as a sport, has originated from Kobudo. However, the same fundamentals still remain from the eras of the samurai.

From there we began learning a few fundamental moves from Kobudo, only for very a different purpose than that of the samurai warriors.

The lesson today will include three main parts:
• Jodo - practice with a wooden staff
• Swordsmanship - practice with training sword
• Real samurai sword - we get to test our new sword skills, by attempting to cut through the target made from rolled tatami mat.

The core training

The lesson begins with a formal seated bow, in the same way as done in many martial arts schools. The teachers walk us through the bowing etiquette, and the specific sequence of placing feet, knees and palms on the floor. This bow is an important way to express trust in each other and gratitude.

And now the first moves - the Jodo!

Posture, grip and how to simulate attack are first explained

Next a live demonstration.

A powerful weapon when handled properly

It may look like fun and games at first, but the wooden cane is a very powerful weapon in the hands of the Samurai!

Bonus lesson

As a bonus lesson (and a chance for us to rest), Yui demonstrates a sequence of Ibuki, a karate technique based on breathing. She makes very elegant and fluid movements. I can here her controlled breaths clearly, and it’s amazing to see her switch from her laughing personality just moments before to this display of complete focus.

Practice of sword combat

Yui and Hiroyuki are demonstrating a sword combat sequence before practicing with each of us, one by one.

So in one fluid, rapid sequence, we block, attack, and then bring the sword back to its scabbard. There’s a certain etiquette about this last step, for me, that brings the most satisfaction.

My defence is a bit poor in the beginning, as I end up running straight to the side where my opponent, Samurai Hiroyuki would attack.

So, I needed to practice more.

The thrill of a real sword!

The initial training and practice of the first few hours have all built to this last moment: the tameshigiri, or test cutting. Our goal is to use a real sword to slice a target made from rolled tatami.

This is the final test, and to succeed, we need to bring together all we’ve seen today: concentration, posture, grip, speed, power, and the focus needed to hit the right spot at the right angle.

Yui explains everything once more.

Then, it’s time to see her in action! In no time, she has completely defeated her target!

Finding the right angle takes a bit of practice!

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About me:

I’m interested in learning about Japanese aesthetic principles and Japanese modern design. I could think about Japanese interiors and ceramics for hours on end. I’m at the end of my stay in Japan, and happy to take the story of KOBUDO MUSUBI experience with me back home and to other parts of the world.