Experience the spirit of bushido through activities such as kendo practice, smelling fragrant incense, and playing Japanese drums at Josho-ji Temple, which was founded in 1589.
Morning and evening activities
Start with monko, or the art of incense, said to have been practiced by samurai warriors as a spiritual discipline before battle, calming their minds through fragrance.
After preparing your spirit by breathing in the fragrant wood wafting from the incense burner, learn the basics of kendo in the precincts of the temple. Receive instruction on how to bow, hold and swing a shinai (bamboo sword), then practice striking a target with the sword.
Afterwards, participants will get to view the “Hagi and Rabbit” and “Bamboo and Tiger” paintings on the temple’s wooden doors, which are said to have been created by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a painter from the Edo-era (1603-1867), and are usually off-limits to the public.
The taiko drumming experience is performed while chanting the Lotus Sutra. Participants take turns beating the drums as the priest reads the sutra and spend time in prayer. Participants then experience burning incense while the priest reads the names of all participants, praying for their safety and health on their journey.
Finally, enjoy a breakfast of rice porridge, much like a samurai would have in times gone by.
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Kendo practice
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Smelling fragrant incense
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Playing Japanese drums
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Incense offering experience
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Morning porridgein the tatami room
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Start with monko, or the art of incense, said to have been practiced by samurai warriors as a spiritual discipline before battle, calming their minds through fragrance.
After preparing your spirit by breathing in the fragrant wood wafting from the incense burner, learn the basics of kendo in the precincts of the temple. Receive instruction on how to bow, hold and swing a shinai (bamboo sword), then practice striking a target with the sword.
Afterwards, participants will get to view the “Hagi and Rabbit” and “Bamboo and Tiger” paintings on the temple’s wooden doors, which are said to have been created by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a painter from the Edo-era (1603-1867), and are usually off-limits to the public.
The taiko drumming experience is performed while chanting the Lotus Sutra. Participants take turns beating the drums as the priest reads the sutra and spend time in prayer. Participants then experience burning incense while the priest reads the names of all participants, praying for their safety and health on their journey.
Finally, enjoy making your own matcha (powdered green tea), a drink enjoyed by samurai in the old days.
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Kendo practice
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Smelling fragrant incense
-
Playing Japanese drums
-
Incense offering experience
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Matcha green tea experience
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Experience it Yourself
Stay, Relax, Dine
Kendo
Kendo is the practice of Samurai using a bamboo sword. Kendo is a martial art that aims to train the body and mind and to develop the human spirit through continuous practice.
“Numerous experiences in 1 hour and 30 minutes.”
“Samurai kendo, Japanese fragrance experience,
Japanese drum performance, etc!”
“An unforgettable experience in every way.”
