Local Connections: Tatara & Sword Maker

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Firstly, you will arrive at Okuizumo Tatara & Katana Museum. Katana, japanese sword is the symbol of Samurai. Japanese swords are made of Tamahagane, which can only be made by Tatara process.

Oku-Izumo, Shimane is the only place in the world where this method is still in action. During the short visit of museum, you will learn about this method and be able to see the actual iron making process. Mr. Kobayashi Shunji, Princess local partner,is the local swordsmith and his family is very famous in Shimane Prefecture for sword making with a history that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). He trained underneath of his Father from year 2004 and got the approval for making swords in year 2010 from the Japanese government.

In this demonstration, he will show us the techniques of forging. This is called (Orikaeshi Tanren) which means the folding and forging for many times. The sword is often heated then allowed to cool without hammering. This is required by the metal to keep the desired properties of strength and flexibility.

Then, following is a japanese sword demonstration. The sword maker will cut a target in front of the group. Even though Japanese sword seems relatively thin and small compared to western kinds, they are actually heavy, about 1 kg in weight. It requires a lot of training and high skill to use them with perfect control.
Enjoy the beauty of katana.

After the sword demonstration, you will receive a Japanese bento box lunch with local ingredients such as very high quality rice called Nita-mai. A local partner Mr. Hideaki Tachibana, a government award winning Japanese chef, will be in charge. He is a devoted chef who has decades of experience. He will hand you the bento to you and make explanations. Enjoy the Oku-Izumo style meal on the tour coach while traveling to the next stop.

Then, you will transfer to Sakurai Residence. Built in 1738, the traditional Sakurai residence building was owned by the headmaster of local ironmaking business in Edo period. The front gate called Onarimon was the gate that was especially used when a feudal lord visited the residence. (It was used six times!) There is a graceful japanese garden Iwanami, which was named by Fumai Matsudaira, who was the shogun of Izumo-Matsue domain, and also an expert in the tea ceremony. After admiring the traditional mansion & the garden, you will savor matcha, japanese green tea.

Then, transfer back to the port by comfortable motorcoach.

Special Notes:

*Time to see the museum exhibits will be short since the main purpose of visit is to see the sword demonstration.
*Box lunch will be handed out at the museum, to be consumed on the bus.
*Visiting order may vary.
*No dietary request is accommodated on this tour.
*In case the local partners are not available, a different person will be arranged for the tour date.
*In case The Sakurai Residence is closed due to maintenance, the tour will visit the Itohara Residence.
*Please note that if minimum he booking deadline is 1 month before the tour date.