
The Samurai and ninja museum shows 5 eras: Heian Period, Kamakura Period, Muromachi Period, Edo Period, and Meiji Period. Visitors can wear samurai armor, visitors can also use a real samurai sword. There is a samurai show, ninja, samurai sword show, and a sumo wrestling show. In the same building, it is possible to experience the Japanese Tea ceremony. The location of the samurai museum is in the middle of Kyoto City. The Osaka branch is not far from Dotonbori.
The samurai and ninja museum had interesting artifacts from medieval times. The guests can enjoy the museum with the help of tour guides. There are many exciting samurai backdrops to take pictures of and also a samurai and ninja gift shop. The museum is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. You can purchase tickets on this website.
Feudal Japan
Heian Period (794-1185)
Kamakura Period (1185~ 1333)
Muromachi Period (1336~1573)
Azuchi Momoyama Period (1573 ~ 1603)
Edo Period (1603 ~ 1868)
The Life of the Samurai
- Samurai means “the one who serves the master.” Although the samurai are warriors, the meaning of the word is not a warrior. The Japanese word for warrior is “Senshi.”
- The samurai boys were given real samurai swords when they were only 5 years old.
- Only the samurai could own 2 swords.
- Only the samurai could have a last name.
- Only the samurai could own a horse.
- Only the samurai could do harakiri.
- Only the members of a samurai family can become samurai.
- Only the samurai and the monks were allowed to enter zen gardens.
- Only the samurai wore the heavy armor.
- The samurai were not allowed to have any other job.
- The samurai were good in poetry, flower arrangement, and literature.
- The samurai had a “wabi-sabi” lifestyle: simple and old things are more beautiful.
- The average salary of a samurai was 3 tons of rice a year.
The life of a Ninja
- The meaning of the word ninja is “the one who endures difficulties.”
- In Japan ninja were used to be called “shinobi.”
- There were only 2 ninja clans in Japan: Iga clan and Koka clan.
- The ninjas were farmers. They did not have privileges like the samurai.
- The ninjas did not wear a black outfit. Their outfit was dark blue or just simple colors.
- The ninjas were not supposed to be more than 60 kgs.
- The ninjas were very good at running. It is reported that some ninjas could run 200 km in one day.
- The ninjas can be considered as a spy. They are not warriors.
You can learn more about the samurai and ninja at our museum. We are open every day.
Contact us : info@mai-ko.com