Wear an antique armor belonged to a front-line warrior.
Live an unforgettable experience!
Wear an authentic samurai armor dating back to the sixteenth century (1500 AD) restored by us and made wearable again.
In a “machiya” traditional house learn how the samurais prepared for war.
Through accurate descriptions, in a journey full of hidden symbolisms feel on your skin the “weight” of this fascinating millenary culture.
Preserve this memory with a photo shoot.
Experiences available every Tuesday and Friday in the following three time slots :
10:30~12:00 / 12:30~14:00 / 14:30~16:00
Duration Price Payment Language
1.5 18.000 yen Cash, via "WISE" English, Japanese,
Hours a person or bank transfer Italian
※ Please note, restricted number. Limited to one participant. Other people (family - group) can assist.
How does the experience take place?
More detailed informations below this photo gallery.
How the experience works ?
• First of all, after your arrival, you will be able to visit the ground floor where you will find our shop and the workshop where ancient katanas and armors are restored.
• During the experience our house will be reserved only for you and your eventual group.
For this reason we will close the entrance from the inside.
Enjoy this moment of yours in absolute relaxation.
• If you need it, you can use the restroom that is located right next to our traditional internal garden
“Tsubo-niwa”.
• Afterwards, in a dressing room you will independently put on the sanitized traditional undergarment that we have prepared for you.
For the traditional “tabi” socks you may need a hand. In that case we will help you.
• On the upper floor of our “machiya” you will find the room where you will
transform into an authentic samurai warrior.
There will also be a mirror where you can see yourself during all the phases.
(If you are in company, other people can assist)
• Before start the armor dressing, we will teach you some defense, guard and attack techniques.
For safety reasons, you will use a training katana.
The internal blade is not sharp, while the external parts and the handle are decorated with ancient accessories (1600 AD)
• Then we will make you wear the “waraji” which are the typical sandals. And then we will continue with the other components.
• During the dressing, we will explain the function of the different components and their composition.
Historical notes and meaning of the symbolisms will accompany this journey.
• You can have your photos taken at any time. If you allow, we can use your smartphone or camera.
• Before putting on the helmet, we will take some photos of you using the attack and defense poses that you learned previously.
• Finally, you will put on the helmet (and the chin guard if you want).
We remind you that the chin guard and all the clothes you will wear are sanitized after each use and are prepared especially for you.
• Before putting on the helmet you will wear a kind of bandana called “Tenugui”.
It is made of cotton and has a samurai proverb/motto written in kanji.
This tenugui will be yours as a memento of this experience.
• We guarantee that after this experience you will feel lighter. (…at least by about 20 kg!)
• Feel free to ask questions during the dressing process.
Having answers and opportunities for reflection is part of the experience.
• After taking some photos of you with the full armor, we will begin the undressing.
After taking off the entire armor, we will go downstair to the ground floor, and you will be able to put your clothes back on.
• Finally, before saying goodbye, if you are interested you can visit again our shop and workshop.
We hope you enjoyed this experience.
What's included
• Exclusive use of our “Machiya” house.
• Sanitized armor undergarment. (The participant will wear it independently in a dressing room)
• Sanitized traditional “tabi” socks.
• Still sealed “Tenugui” bandana (after use it will be kept as a souvenir)
• Dressing with explanation of the different components, functions and materials,
historical notes and symbolism.
• Katana (Unsharpened training blade. Ancient external part) on the belt.
• Explanations of defense, guard and attack techniques.
• Photos during the entire process (we will use the participant's smartphone or camera)
• Visit to our shop/workshop where you can see antiques and original objects belonging
to the legendary samurais.
• Enjoy the calm and intimacy that only a traditional Japanese house can offer.
Not allowed
• Smoke indoors (You can smoke in our outdoor garden)
• Drink alcohol
• Eat during the experience
• Wear shoes indoors
Useful informations
★Please remove large accessories, such as long necklaces, rings and bracelets, as they may damage the inner fabric of the armor and the lacquer of the different components.
★ In order to prepare the armor undergarment you will wear and the socks, we need to know your height and foot size in advance.
★Please let us know in advance if you have any physical health problems.
( The stairs to the upper floor are steep. In case we can use the ground floor. )
★If you arrive more than 30 minutes late from the start time, you will NOT be able to participate in this experience.
( To fully enjoy the experience we think 90 minutes are necessary. After each experience, we need time to tidy up the shop to better accommodate the next person. We trust in your understanding.)
Katana crafting workshop: Weave your katana handle
In your life have you ever thought that one day you could weave the handle of a samurai katana?
Come visit us in our shop/workshop located inside a traditional “Machiya” house. Look at our collection, let’s disassemble a katana together and look at its morphology.
Observe different ancient handles and discover many hidden curiosities.
Under our guidance, practice and learn the basics of weaving. Then choose the color of the cord, and weave the handle that will then remain you as a memory of this experience.
Experiences available every Tuesday and Friday in the following three time slots :
10:30~12:00 / 12:30~14:00 / 14:30~16:00
Duration Price Payment Language
1.5 16.000 yen Cash, via "WISE" English, Japanese,
Hours a person or bank transfer Italian
※ Please note, restricted number. Limited to one participant. Other people (family - group) can assist.
→We want to make the experience also available for two people at a time. We'll keep you posted!
How does the experience take place?
More detailed informations below this photo gallery.
How the experience works?
• First of all, after your arrival, you can visit our workshop on the ground floor where ancient katanas and armors are restored.
• During the experience, our house will be reserved only for you and your eventual group.
For this reason we will close the entrance from the inside.
Enjoy this moment of yours in absolute relaxation.
• If you want, you can go upstairs to take a look at the room in which we offer the experience of dressing a 16th century armor. An armor that we have restored and made wearable again.
• If you need it, you can use the restroom that is located right next to our traditional internal garden
“Tsubo-niwa”.
• Afterwards, we will take one of our katanas on display.
Together we will disassemble it and through our explanations you will see its different components and functions.
• We will then draw your attention to the “Tsuka” handle.
By observing different handles in the process of being restored, you will understand the structure and the importance of each part. You will also find small secrets and hidden curiosities.
• Next we will see the basic techniques for weaving a handle. Under our guidance you will do some exercise on a handle for practice until your hands have remembered the technique.
• You can then choose the cord you will use from the different colors that we will propose.
We will then be ready to begin.
• Feel free to ask questions during the experience or take photos.
Having answers and opportunities for reflection is part of the experience.
• When you have finished weaving, we will take care of making the final knot until you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of peace and harmony that our “Machiya” house can offer.
• Finally, before saying goodbye, if you are interested you can visit again our shop.
We hope you enjoyed this experience.
What is included
• Exclusive use of our “Machiya” house.
• Visit to our workshop, and the upper floor.
• Observation and explanation of the morphology of a Katana.
• Discovery of some curiosities hidden inside ancient handles
• Explanation of the basic weaving techniques and practice under our guidance.
• Weaving of the handle that will remain you as a souvenir:
1) Wooden handle,
2) Artificial "Same-gawa" skin with choice of different colors,
3) Cotton or silk cord with choice of different colors,
4) Hook with choice of different colors applied by us at the end.
• Enjoy the calm and intimacy that only a traditional Japanese house can offer.
Not allowed
• Smoke indoors (You can smoke in our outdoor garden)
• Drink alcohol
• Eat during the experience
• Wear shoes indoors
Useful informations
★ Traditionally the artisans who weave the handle of the katanas, remain seated with legs crossed on a cushion placed on the floor during the entire work.
For comfort, you will do this experience on a normal chair using our lab desk as a work surface.
( Without any postural pain, this will allow you to concentrate more on the "work" )
★ Learn the techniques of weaving and be able to use them with mastery takes years of practice, sacrifice and dedication.
Weave an entire handle of a katana is a complex art that requires almost a day of work and concentration for a craftsman. (Not counting the time needed to carve and shape the wood underneath.)
This experience offers a "taste" of the basic techniques, using a language and method accessible to a varied audience... even those who are not suited to works that require manual skills.
★ Traditionally, dried and specially treated ray skin ( Same-gawa ) is placed between the wooden support of the handle and the cord.
Since this skin is rough to the touch, it function is to increase the grip of the cord to the wood.
However, there are countries that prohibit the import of this material.
For this reason, to avoid seizures and problems at customs, we have decided to use a synthetic leather.
By doing this, in addition to the cord, you can also be able to choose the color of this “skin”...which will make your handle even more customizable.
★ If you arrive more than 30 minutes late from the start time, you will NOT be able to participate in this experience.
(To fully enjoy the experience we think 90 minutes are necessary. After each experience, we need time to tidy up the shop to better accommodate the next person. We trust in your understanding.)
★ In our shop, in addition to armors, there are many antiques for sale and in our workshop there are a lot of tools. For safety reasons, we believe that this is not a suitable place for children under 10 years old.
But we are not the ones who should judge your children.
If you guarantee us that your children are calm and listen to you (I know what it means because i am also a father of two children), i think it is interesting and stimulating for them to visit our shop as well.
We only ask you to take this responsibility.
Thank you in advance.