Aug. 26, 2020 UPDATE
Samurai Kembu Theater
- サムライ剣舞シアター -Traveler Friendly
One of the best in Kyoto.
Information
English and Japanese.
Languages spoken
The show and lesson are all in English.
Story & Recommendation
Try your hand at samurai swordplay in the middle of Kyoto at Samurai Kembu Theater
Most of us don’t know what kembu is: literally speaking, it is sword dancing but it also means swordplay and performance. And at Samurai Kembu Theater you get to see masterful swordplay, but the best part is after show: you get to actually try it yourself! So the experience is divided into two parts: the show and the lesson, where you get to wear samurai clothing and swing a katana. And getting to hold and swing a katana is an experience you are not going to forget soon. Especially since during the show, you get to learn a lot about the samurai class, and after your interest has peaked you get to actually become one during the lesson.
They have a simple kembu lesson for an hour for those who just want to learn the basics and a more thorough two-hour lesson where you also get to learn how to perform with a folding fan.
1Highlight
Kembu show
Kembu is actually performed to Japanese music and poems, but luckily the staff at the Samurai Kembu Theater will tell you what the performance is about before it starts. The performances have historical themes, but they are very short: between two and three minutes! So you need to pay attention in order to get it all.
2Highlight
Lesson
The lesson is the most fun part of the experience, as you get to swing a katana, and even wear samurai clothing. The experience is just special; after it, you are sure to want to watch some samurai flicks. You even get a small present for taking part in the lesson and also get to take the tabi-socks home with you. They even have a 3-day kembu training course for those who want to take kembu a bit more seriously.
- Manner & Tips -
First, you get your sword belt. Be careful which way you put your katana on it since there are two ways: the samurai way, and the pirate way. I got it wrong two times and so did many others; just be prepared to say yarr.
The instructors at Samurai Kembu Theater will also help you change into an outfit fit for a samurai warrior.
The staff will help you take pictures, and you even get one picture with your certification. The certification is a nice souvenir of your samurai experience. Note that you can also take pictures with your sensei!
