samurai

  • Darth Vader based on Sendai Samurai ruler!
    August 31st, 2009By drifter
    Hollywood’s infamous dark knight took its inspiration from none other than Samurai legend, Date Masamune. While many people may have assumed Darth Vader’s ultimate evil persona was based on Dick Cheney, according to the City of Sendai homepage, it was its own larger than life shadowy ruler. Before the 1977 release of Star Wars, which » Continue Reading
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  • The Red Devils of Hikone
    August 26th, 2009By Iain Maloney
    Hikone Castle was built at the end of the civil war period by Naotaka Ii. It stands high on a hill, the focal point of the town, and has done so, untouched by war, natural disaster and attempts to modernise for over 400 years. It looks much like other castles in Japan: ivory white walls, » Continue Reading
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  • The necessity of critical thinking in Martial Arts
    August 11th, 2009By Guillaume Erard
    As a scientist, I have often encountered teachers who considered the epistemological approach as an aberration in the study of a Budo, sometimes even like an insult directed towards their work or their own persona. Today, I would like to discuss the benefits there are in studying a Japanese martial » Continue Reading
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  • Why Budo is not supposed to work in real fights
    August 3rd, 2009By Guillaume Erard
    Please accept my apologizes for the voluntarily provocative title but I think it sums up well what a little research on the word Budo can teach you. The word Budo is now ubiquitous in the popular culture and it is safe to say that along with sushi, karaoke, bonsai and manga, » Continue Reading
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  • The King’s Road
    June 24th, 2009By Keith Graff
    It’s been designated as one of the 100 most historic streets in all Japan and was built specifically for the personal use of the King of the Ryukyus. He, along with his family and entourage used it to travel to their second residence at the royal gardens. Over time, it’s proximity » Continue Reading
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  • A Few Hours in Matsue
    June 2nd, 2009By Jamie Rockers
    If you are making your way through Shimane prefecture on your way to bigger and better places, don’t forget to stop off in its capital city of Matsue for a look at one of the oldest original castles in Japan, Matsui-jo, which has been standing since 1611. Matsue is the perfect » Continue Reading
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  • Kakunodate – A Taste of the samurai spirit of an unchanged Japan
    May 26th, 2009By Malcolm Ernst
    Hello there…. I bet you didn’t recognize me. It’s me Akie, your favorite Akita Bijin, and I’m coming to you from the ever-popular Samurai District in Kakunodate Akita, an old castle outpost town dating back to 1620.  As Spring carries on to Summer, which will carry on to Fall, I’ll show you what lies under all » Continue Reading
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  • Scorsese and the Samurai Part 1
    March 24th, 2009By Raglan
    photo credit: John Griffiths Hallelujah! Rejoice! Good Tidings to all cinema-going kind! Excuse my outpouring of emotion; I may have got a little over-excited there. Still, maybe you’ll forgive me if you too share in my love of all things Samurai and cinema related. I have great news! What is this » Continue Reading
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