Published on Jun, 2024
I felt incredibly honored to take part in the swordsmanship experience at the Samurai Sword Academy, not only in the Hometown of the Last Samurai of the Shogun (The Shinsengumi), but actually with their descendants.
Inoue sensei was very kind and patient, and Masubuchi sensei led the class with very easy to understand instructions in English.
We got to learn techniques of the Tennen-Rishin Ryu school as practiced by Hino members of the Shinsengumi and the 4th generation head, Kondo Isami.
We started with basics, then moved onto some forms, and finished with an actual test cutting experience using real Japanese swords (Katana/Nihonto) while wearing the blue with Dandara pattern cuff haori of the Shinsengumi.
The teaching was excellent and easy to understand, the experience was priceless. Well worth much more than we paid.
The experience is two hours, leaving you plenty of time to see lots of other interesting museums and Shrines/Temples in Hino. Highly recommended!