IO – The Japan Foundation, Jakarta has hosted a workshop and show by Samurai Sword Art group KAMUI. The workshop and show were held on Friday, September 6, 2019, from 19:00 – 21:00 WIB in Sakura Hall, The Japan Foundation, Jakarta, Summitmas II, Floor 1, Jalan Jendral Sudirman, Lot 61-62, Jakarta.
KAMUI was formed in 1998 by Tetsuro Shimaguchi and has since performed in The Kennedy Center (U.S.A. /in 2005), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland /in 2006 and 2008), Teatro Della Pergola and Palazzo Vecchio (Italy /in 2010), Japan Expo in Paris (France/in 2011), Blue Note Poznan Jazz Club (Poland/in 2013), Hermitage Museum (Russia/in 2015) and more. KAMUI came to fame after Tetsuro Shimaguchi choreographed the sword-fighting scenes of the movie KILL BILL vol.1, and performed as CRAZY88-MIKI.
On Friday, the event started off with an introduction by The Japan Foundation Director-General Norihisa Tsukamoto, followed by a 30-minute workshop for twelve lucky participants taught by Tetsuro Shimaguchi and Kazunobu Achiwa. During the workshop the twelve participants were taught the basic moves of Samurai sword fighting, using wooden sticks including seigan no kamae (middle guard position), jodan no kamae (upper guard position), mako kiru (straight slash), gedan no kamae (lower guard position), and others.
After the workshop was a short break with a free flow of Japanese green tea and snacks which followed three performances by Tetsuro Shimaguchi and Kazunobu Achiwa including a scene from the movie KILL BILL vol.1.
A Q&A session was opened before the event finally ended with an opportunity for attendees to take photos with Tetsuro Shimaguchi and Kazunobu Achiwa.
Tetsuro Shimaguchi was born in Saitama Prefecture in Japan and graduated from Nihon University College of Arts. After receiving experience in theater activities such as kabuki, Tetsuro founded KAMUI. He is a samurai artist of mixed styles such as the beauty of form, acting and martial arts.
Kazunobu Achiwa was born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1986 and graduated from Kobe Yamate University. He has performed in various samurai shows and teaches the samurai “Shindo” method founded by leader Tetsuro Shimaguchi. He also participates in overseas tours such as in Italy and France and in events and performances in Japan. (Rimar)