Samurai Swords
Words of the Samurai – Episode 9
In this episode, we explore the jisei – a final poem before death – attributed to Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary bandit from Japan’s Sengoku period. A rogue ninja or a criminal mastermind, Goemon’s execution followed a failed assassination plot against Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His last words echo with bitter pride: thieves will never vanish from this world.Read More
Words of the Samurai – Episode 8
Mōri Motonari’s tale of the three arrows reminds us that true strength lies in unity. A father’s lesson from the age of war, still echoing in our time.Read More
Words of the Samurai - Episode 7
What does a game of shōgi teach us about leadership? Hosokawa Tadaoki used it to reveal the heart of a dynasty’s strength.Read More
Words of the Samurai – Episode 6
A 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.Read More
The Wakizashi of Yagyū Renyasai: How the “Demon’s Cleaver” Was Born
An 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.Read More
The Words of the Samurai – Episode 5
Episode 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.Read More
Words of the Samurai – Second Episode
Today, 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.Read More
Kogitsunemaru: The Legendary Tachi Forged with a Fox Spirit
Among 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.Read More
Tokugawa Ieyasu: “I never forgot.”
Begin a journey through the words of legendary samurai. One quote, one story, one lesson each week. Episode one: Tokugawa Ieyasu.Read More
The Butterfly in Feudal Japan: Symbol of the Soul, Eternity, and...
Elegant, 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.Read More
