How do you train to become a Samurai?

Question

(In the modern world, in America [I can't afford to train in Japan, unfortunately!]-- for instance: what form/school of modern martial arts training most closely mirrors the training that say, an Edo-period Samurai would have undergone? Also: What are some good instructional texts on Bushido (besides the "Hagakure," and a "Book of Five Rings") Plus: any other info you'd care to add... interesting websites, source material, insights into Samurai culture/philosophy... or even, info on Samurai 'accoutrements' (swords, books, hakama :-), tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.)

Answer 1

Hi.

Most of what you are asking goes beyond my knowledge base but I can partially answer your question.

Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu and Iaido are all Japanese sword arts that can trace their origins back to the training practices of the Samurai.

Iaido is a sword art that deals primarily with the proper drawing of the sword, cutting techniques, removing the blood from the blade and the re-sheathing of the sword. It is a very smooth and precise discipline.

Iaijutsu is a sword art that deals with drawing the sword and the technique that immediately follows.

Kenjutsu is a practical, more comprehensive, combative sword art in where techniques are learned against a variety of different weapons.  Unlike Iaido and Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu deals in all areas of combat with the Samurai Sword, not just the initial motions immediately following the drawing of the sword.

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Samurai also trained in Jujitsu for unarmed combat.  There are even some styles of Jujitsu that are classified as Edo Jujitsu that are designed more for street combat rather than the original purpose battlefield combat.  There may even incorporate some weapons such as the iron fan or Tanto.

Good luck finding a Jujitsu school that teaches traditional Jujitsu though.  With the MMA craze going around right now some Jujitsu schools have modified the original to use it in a ring for sport.

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All of the above styles if taught in very traditional schools will give you anywhere from some idea to an accurate representation of how the Samurai trained.  It will depend on the school and how much they care about preserving the art.  

The instructors at these schools should be able to help you with the rest.

I hope I was able to help :)

Answer 2

There is no one place that you can get such comprehensive training. In America the foremost living martial artist who is closest to such a concept is probably Obata Toshishiro of the Shinkendo Federation. He teaches samurai arts - aikijutsu, kenjutsu and bojutsu at his dojo in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. The Federation has branch dojos around the US and worldwide. There are numerous chado schools around the US so it depends where you are.

You cannot become a samurai, but you can embrace the best of their ideals.

www.shinkendo.com