'The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win.' This is one of several famous quotes from A Book of Five Rings, written by one of Japan’s greatest samurai warriors Musashi Miyamoto. The samurai has been an iconic symbol of courage, power and masculinity for over 700 years of Japanese warfare history. Finally, the gripping soul of the samurai can be felt at the new Samurai Museum, which opened at the end of September in Shinjuku.
Facing the building’s dark wood façade, one is led through a subtly lit entrance, accentuated by a landscape of pebbles that reflect the 400- to 800-year-old warrior costumes on display. The well-designed interior covers two floors of the museum, providing a near-authentic ambience of historical Japan during the Sengoku period. The museum's founder, Tetsuro Koyano, spent over five years painstakingly gathering a wide array of samurai costumes, head gear, guns, swords and other related equipment, with a mission to not only impart a comprehensive knowledge of Japanese historical warfare to both local and foreigners, but also to revive the soul of the samurai, whose mantra of dignity, loyalty, honour and bravery has subconscious influences on the Japanese spirit today.
Among the impressive display of equipment are around 15 colourful warrior armours, eight swords, halberds, six helmets, six matchlock guns, and more. You'll also find gold lacquered, two-plated cuirasses from the late Edo period, armours from the Satsuma domain during the Muromachi period, sword hand guards from the Kamakura period, archery tools from mid-Edo period, including various models of 12- or 16-iron plated helmets, in butterfly decoration, black lacquered or peacock-feathered designs, and many others. Explanations of the historical battles and invasions also accompany the displays.
The highlight of the museum visit is a chance to have yourself photographed in a samurai costume of your choice. The Samurai Museum also plans to expand the costume-wear photo session by including a complete head-to-foot gear. From December this year, the museum will hold a special sword duel re-enactment, featuring a Japanese celebrity, to provide a face-to-face visual experience of the samurai way.
For map and contact details, click here.
– By Alma Reyes