When you imagine a Samurai, what do you think of ?
Most likely it’s a character you’ve seen in a movie, anime, game, or a comic book. In other words, the Samurai in our minds is pasted down to us via fiction. So if you want to be the cool samurai in your mind, studying history and learning kendo (Japanese Sword-fighting sport) won’t quite get you there.
Why? Because samurai performance requires more than just the swordplay. It demands a wide array of knowledge and skills, such as the knowledge of proper samurai mannerisms, understanding of various equipments, and unique forms to express different types of samurai. For example, how one wears his sword alone can mark the difference between a proper samurai, ronin, and a yakuza.
Authentic Samurai Online Lesson provides this understanding of Samurai acting, and hope to satisfy those who wish to experience something a little more in depth than a tourist trap. This online lesson consists of many trivia and background information supplied alongside the basic technique for sword fighting performance.
Besides, who doesn’t want to swing samurai swords and look bad-ass?? And if you’re gonna do it, might as well do it like a pro!!
Lessons are 1 hour long and will cover the basic structure listed below:
- Bowing
- Learning the basic bow
- Also introducing how the bow changes depending on social class/profession and era.
- Basic Stances
- Learning different stances, also includes how to hold a katana properly
- Basic Sword Exercise
- Learning how to swing in different directions, and also various exercises to help achieves effective use of body
- Application and Flare
- Different styles of sheathing (including spin sheathing), exploring performance specific cuts, short choreography
- Ending Lesson with a bow
- Many trivia regarding history/performance/movies/culture/etc will be introduced throughout the lesson
Each session will be opened 30min prior to the start of the lesson for people to join and get ready. During this time, Ace will be stretching and those who are interested are more than welcome to join, though this is absolutely optional.
In addition, after the official lesson is over, there will be a brief moment for a casual conversation open to everyone in the lesson to ask any question they may have or to share their passion about anything samurai related. Again, this is completely optional as we all live a busy life, and lesson members are free to leave the session as soon as the official lesson ends.
Items Strongly Recommended
- Cloths applicable for exercise
- Light object that can stand in for a katana short enough to swing in your space
Items that can enhance your experience (but not required)
- Something that allows you to sit on your floor (Yoga mat etc)
- An item that can approximate a sheath
- A long strip of cloth that can be used as an Obi. (This is used to secure your sheath and/or katana to your hip)
- Please note that the use of a sword with a live blade is prohibited in our lesson.