Samurai for a Day.... Kyoto Japan

Okaaay. So its months later, we took our trip to Kyoto last Fall!! But Im finally playing catch up, and wanted to share a few photos of my favorite guys in the whole world, having a little Samurai Experience!

When we first brought up the idea of road tripping up to Kyoto, Andrew had put this at the top of his Must Do list… I have to admit, in the beginning I thought it sounded a little corny—- Like a hokey tourist thing—- I admit when Im wrong! And I was wicked wrong… He found this place called Waraku (http://waraku-kyoto.com/) that is actually one of the oldest, and last standing Samurai houses (well fortress) in the Kyoto area… Our host spoke amazing English, which after hanging out with him through the whole morning, I found out he spent much of his childhood in the US! He explained the way of the Samurai, the connection to his or her Katana, how meditation and a Zen state of mind are at the core of who the Samurai is. He explained a bit of what their training would entail, about the family who lived in the home, and the way the house was built, for protection. He allowed me to accompany the boys as they were dressed in the Hakama, take photos and video, ask 1000 questions ( i swear I never shut up when I meet someone new!!!) and even participate in the meditation ceremony… I think that was my favorite part…. We watched a couple of sword demonstrations, and a beautiful hand carved flute song, which made me cry (shocking, I know) and the boys were able to slice through rolled tatami mats with a Katana…. Riley did incredible!!! He was the only kid there….

It was a morning of stepping hundreds of years into the past, soaking in even more of the tradition and culture of this incredible country, with some amazing hosts… If you are in the Kyoto area friends, I highly recommend this! I know its a memory my guys will always have with them…

Till next time friends…xoxo