What does a game of shōgi teach us about leadership? Hosokawa Tadaoki used it to reveal the heart of a dynasty’s strength.
Katana Blog: Iaito, Shinken and Japanese Swords
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Words of the Samurai – Episode 6READ MOREA hundred years turned warriors into philosophers. Musashi fought to win, Tsunetomo taught how to die. Between sword and silence, the samurai spirit evolved, trading battle cries for the quiet code of honor.
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The Wakizashi of Yagyū Renyasai: How the “Demon’s Cleaver” Was BornREAD MOREAn overview of a famed Japanese wakizashi made for Yagyū Renyasai. The “Demon’s Cleaver” stands as a symbol of skill, precision, and the warrior spirit.
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The Words of the Samurai – Episode 5READ MOREEpisode five explores the dramatic fall of Oda Nobunaga and the controversial role of Mori Ranmaru in Akechi Mitsuhide’s betrayal. A story of ambition, interpretation, and how a single sentence may have changed Japanese history forever.
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Words of the Samurai – Fourth EpisodeREAD MOREFukushima Masanori was a warrior built for chaos, but he knew when his time had passed. In the quiet after the storm, he laid down his pride like a bow no longer needed. A lesson in dignity from the edge of an era.
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Words of the Samurai – Third EpisodeREAD MOREStrategic genius never looked colder than in the eyes of Kuroda Kanbei...
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Words of the Samurai – Second EpisodeREAD MOREToday, we turn to western Japan to meet a fascinating and fearsome figure: Mōri Motonari. A powerful warlord of the Chūgoku region during the Sengoku period, Motonari was more than a military commander—he was a master of political manipulation, disinformation, and cold-blooded strategy in an age ruled by betrayal. His ruthless clarity gave rise to words that still provoke thought today.
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Kogitsunemaru: The Legendary Tachi Forged with a Fox SpiritREAD MOREAmong Japan’s legendary swords, Kogitsunemaru stands out for its mystical origin. Said to be forged with the aid of a fox spirit, this sacred tachi embodies the deep spiritual bond between swordsmith and kami.
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Tokugawa Ieyasu: “I never forgot.”READ MOREBegin a journey through the words of legendary samurai. One quote, one story, one lesson each week. Episode one: Tokugawa Ieyasu.
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The Butterfly in Feudal Japan: Symbol of the Soul, Eternity, and the Taira LegacyREAD MOREElegant, ephemeral, and filled with symbolic meaning — the butterfly (kōchō, 蝴蝶) holds a special place in the cultural and spiritual tapestry of feudal Japan. More than just a beautiful insect, it was revered by the samurai, enshrined in clan crests, and associated with the journey of the soul beyond life.
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WHAT DOES CARRYING A KATANA IMPLY?READ MORECarrying a katana is more than just carrying a simple sword, as this weapon has surpassed the mere fact of being a white weapon of attack and defense throughout its many centuries of history.
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Benefits of karate for childrenREAD MOREMartial arts are great for children's development. That's why today we want to focus on a particular topic that we find especially interesting