Page 51 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

Silent Assassins
While samurai were military
nobility, dressed in elaborate
suits of armor, ninja were
mercenaries, clothed in all
black. The samurai – ruled by
elaborate codes of honor –
looked down on the ninja,
who specialized in espionage,
sabotage, and guerilla war-
fare. Experience the world
of these dark assassins for
yourself at the Koka Ninja
Village, where the brave are
put through their paces in a
ninja training class (p233).
Afterwards, watch the
experts at work at the Iga
Ninja Museum (p235).

The dark arts of the
ninja, on display at
Koka Ninja Village
SAMURAI STORIES

Looking up at the
towering fortress walls
of Kumamoto castle
Capture the Castle
Forget about the fairy-tale Himeji-jo or the
domineering structure at Osaka – the mightiest
fortress is Kumamoto (p274). Alas, this castle
wasn’t as impenetrable as hoped: it was ravaged
during the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion. Currently
undergoing reconstruction due to damage
sustained during the 2016 earth quake, this
fortress can still be viewed from the outside.

The Last Samurai
As warfare changed, the
samurai transformed from
mounted archers to master
swordsmen, and finally to
desk-bound bureaucrats. Find
out about their evolution at
the Samurai Museum in Tokyo
(p96). Here, the enthusiastic
English-speaking guides will
take you through this history,
while demonstrating a number
of sword moves. After the tour,
try on armour for size, adopt
an imposing stance, and draw
your katana like a true warrior.

Intimidating medieval
armour, displayed at
the Samurai Museum
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