Yamagata Prefecture
Iaido
Murayama Iai Shinbukan
The best part is the training with real Japanese swords. To the place associated with Iaido
Iaido is a budo (martial way) that competes in the art of swordsmanship by drawing a sword from the position of holding a sword in its scabbard while forestalling an opponent, and Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu is said to be its founder. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu was born in Hayashizaki village, Ushu Tateoka (the current Hayashizaki, Murayama City) in the 11th year of Tenbun (1542), during the Sengoku period (the warring states period). When he learned of his father's assassination in Kyoto during his childhood, he went to Kumano Shrine (the current Kumano Iai Ryo Shrine) to pray for revenge and began to devote himself to training in swordsmanship. After he was given the secret of Iai (drawing a sword) and succeeded in revenging his father in Kyoto at the age of 19, he passed on Iaido while traveling, as a result, many schools of Iaido were born throughout Japan.
Kumano Iai Ryo Shrine in Murayama City is the only Iai Shrine in Japan dedicated to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu. Many worshippers come to the shrine for sword charms and goshuin (a shrine’s red ink stamp) to pray for victory, and a dedication demonstration is held every September. In addition, there is a facility in the grounds that stores dedicated ema (votive horse tablets) from all over the country, and visitors can see a variety of the ema of different ages and sizes.
Iaido experience program to learn the etiquette, basics, and even swordsmanship
At the Murayama Iai Shinbukan, located near Kumano Iai Ryo Shrine, you can participate in a program that allows you to actually wear a Iaido uniform and learn about the etiquette and basic forms of Iaido as well as its history and spirituality.
The spirituality of Iaido is not to think of winning a fight with others as the sense of absolute victory, but rather to aim at acquiring martial virtues through training in technique and mind, conquering others without fighting, and achieving absolute victory. It is important to practice correct swordsmanship and physical behaviors, and you will realize how difficult it is to perform a series of behaviors to put a sword in its scabbard, if you actually try it.
Another attraction of this program is the opportunity to try swordsmanship, the art of cutting a tatami-tube with a real sword. If you quickly swing a Japanese sword down from above your head, the tatami-tube will be just cut in half. High graded instructors will explain each movement in an easy-to-understand manner, so that even beginners can safely become familiar with Iaido. In addition, we also offer a program in which you can watch a demonstration by high graded instructors up close.
Enjoy the powerful scenic spots and peaceful countryside
The Mogami River, which flows through Yamagata Prefecture, at a total length of approximately 229 kilometers. In the past, when this watershed was prosperous with boat transportation, the three dangerous spots feared by boatmen were located in Murayama City. The dangerous spots include Goten, where rocks stick out like a row of Go stones, Mikanose, where three layers of narrow reefs line the riverbed vertically, and Hayabusa, where the entire riverbed is covered with reefs and has rapids. Mogami River sannansho funakudari (boat trips down on the three dangerous spots of the Mogami River) is a thrilling experience of riding on a sightseeing boat. The boatman's lighthearted guide explaining the history of boat transportation and the nature of the Mogami River is another enjoyable part of the tour.
Kurhaus Goten, where you can view the Mogami River while enjoying a hot spring is one of the popular spots, and the open-air bath that flows directly from the source has plenty of hot water. Other hot spring facilities are dotted in the city, and Yubunesawa Onsen, known as Bijin no Yu (a hot spring of beauty), has been in operation for more than 200 years and is characterized by its thick, smooth water. In addition, you will meet idyllic scenery that soothes not only your body but also your mind. Surrounded by the Ou Mountains to the east and the Dewa Hills to the west, Murayama City offers a relaxing travel experience with its rural landscape incorporating the scenery of the mountains.
Check out famous Ita soba and the local souvenirs made with roses!
About 10 soba restaurants are located on the Mogami River Sannansho Soba Kaido (Soba Road of the three dangerous spots on the Mogami River) in Murayama City, a soba production area. Ita soba, served in a rectangular shallow wooden box-like bowl is a specialty, and Araki soba, established in 1920, is a long-established restaurant that has preserved the traditional method of making it. The thick handmade soba noodles made from locally produced flour have a chewy texture and a strong flavor and aroma of soba.
Murayama City is also famous as a town of roses, and has a wide variety of rose-related souvenirs. Confiture, made by boiling down fruity, gorgeously fragrant rose petals and apples and other ingredients, is a perfect accompaniment to bread, yogurt, and tea. In addition to candy with rose petals and rose pasta, hand cream made from Yubunesawa Onsen water and rose water is also popular, being sold at Michi no Eki (roadside stations) and other locations.
