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Our new spring tour, Samurai and Tatsujin , in April 2019, is designed to complement our fall Japan Now & Then tour, with more of a focus on historical Japan. We still include the wonderful personal visits and Samurai and Tatsujin experiences for with Esprit is known but curate the trip to focus on the history of Japan and its arts. This tour was designed to be entirely different so there are no repeat visits for those of you who are Now and Then alumni.
Bushido , the codes of honour and ideals of the samurai way of life, as well as the art, culture and philosophy of the samurai forms the cornerstone of this tour through Japan. The samurai were the well-known warrior class of Japan who ruled for nearly 700 years and established not only the warcrafts (swords, spears, mounted archery, bows, etc.) for which they were known, but were also key players in promoting the finer arts of tea ceremony, calligraphy, poetry, ikebana , Noh theater and numerous other arts.
Tatsujin means expert or master. Japan has so many words to describe the artists, craftsmen, chefs, martial arts masters, teachers, Buddhist and Shinto priests and all forms of experts, we use it to convey the essence of this special tour. We will take you through some of the rich and powerful history of Japan, from the time when the samurai class ruled until after the Meiji restoration (1868), including the rise of experts in all areas of art and life during those periods.
We will start the tour in Tokyo with a deep introduction to the Samurai through sword and metal craft and the samurai armament, as well as an introduction to the various families, clans and lineage that make up the history of Japan. An integral part of the tour is a visit to Kamakura, site of the first samurai-led government, before traveling on to Kanazawa, home of the powerful Maeda clan. After visits to artists and craftsman in the Ishikawa and Fukui areas, we wind up in Kyoto, the traditional and cultural heart of Japan. Twelve-hundred-year- old Kyoto offers a wealth of opportunity for further in-depth exploration of the impact of the samurai class on the culture and art of Japan, with visits to temples, gardens, shrines and castles, in addition to Esprit’s signature private arts visits. Our 2-night add-on to Nara offers additional experiences at most of the primary sites in the original capital of Japan as well as the unique town of Imai-cho, with its wealth of traditional wooden buildings.
Sunday 14 April Depart US
Monday 15 April Arrive JJapanapanapanapan Transfer by private car to our downtown hotel, located in the exciting Ginza district, Overnight: Hyatt Centric Ginza
Tuesday 16 April Tokyo Today we will start our exploration of the historical importance of the samurai in Japan and how their study of bushido (samurai codes of living ) prepared them for the duties of the ruling class. One of their most enduring symbols is the Japanese sword, the katana , and we will meet with an internationally renowned Japanese sword expert for an introduction into the fine art of not only blade making (considered the
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world’s finest) but also the fittings, the etiquette and the history of swords. Visits will include the newly re-opened Japanese Sword Museum and the SamurSamuraiai MuseumMuseum.. Overnight: Hyatt Centric Ginza Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Wednesday 17 April Tokyo One of Tokyo’s most fulfilling day trips is to the ancient samurai capital of KamakuraKamakura, known for its wealth of temples, its hilly, seaside location and easygoing atmosphere. Kamakura’s most famous monument is the giant bronze Buddha, or Daibutsu, but we will also delve deeper into its history as a center for samurai culture with visits to equally important temples and shrines. The Kamakura Period in Japan lasted about 130 years (circa 1200) and saw the emergence of shogun rule. Shogun were military dictators who usurped power from the hereditary monarchy and held ultimate control of Japan for the next 650 years, through a system of feudal fiefs, each ruled by a lord and backed up by their samurai. Tonight we’ll have dinner back in Tokyo. Overnight: Hyatt Centric Ginza Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Thursday 18 April Kanazawa We travel this morning by Shinkansen (bullet) train to Kanazawa (formerly known as Kaga), a castle town that was ruled by the Maeda family for three centuries after the first lord Toshiie Maeda entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583. Since the Kaga Clan invited many artists and craftsmen to this area, it achieved a high level of craftsmanship that continues to flourish to this day. Today it is a bustling small city. The Kanazawa area was one of the wealthiest in historical Japan and what came with wealth and privilege was the creation of licensed pleasure districts ( geisha districts). We will explore the one in Kanazawa known as HigashichayaHigashichaya, which developed in the early 1800’s into the largest of its kind outside of Kyoto and Tokyo. In addition, we will visit the masterfully restored parts of Kanazawa CastleCastle, KenroukuenKenroukuen, one of Japan’s premier strolling gardens, MyoryuMyoryu----jijijiji (the Ninja temple), and the Nagamachi samurai districtdistrict. Overnight: To be advised Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Friday 19 April Yamanaka Onsen Travel by coach today from Kanazawa to Yamanaka Onsen hot spring village. En route, we will spend time with a wood turner at his home and studio and see him create one if his simple, yet masterfully turned bowls. Our next stop will be for lunch and a visit to a nearby makie artist (lacquerware exquisitely decorated with gold). We will arrive early at Yamanaka Onsen and our traditional ryokan inn for the night, the premier KayoteiKayotei, where we will enjoy a multi- course kaiseki banquet of local specialties and sleep on futon beds spread out on tatami- matted floors. Bathe in the onsen ’s gender-separate hot spring baths or enjoy a short hike along the Kakusenkei GorgeGorge.... Spring trees should be in bloom in this mountainous area. Overnight: Kayotei Ryokan Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Saturday 20 April Kyoto Today we will enjoy some of Esprit’s special cultural visits in Fukui Prefecture, en route to Kyoto. Our first stop will be at the Takefu KKnifenife Bridge foundry where world famous Japanese culinary knives are made by hand. Next we will enjoy a special tea ceremony at Eichezen Togeimura Ceramics Park, followed by a short tour of the Fukui Prefectural Ceramics Museum. Afterwards, we go to Imadate village to learn about the art of handmade w ashi paper making. We end the day with a short train ride to Kyoto. Our hotel is within blocks of Kyoto’s famed Gion district, which will be bustling with tourists snapping photos of beautifully dressed geisha as they hurry on their way to teahouse engagements on this Saturday night. Overnight: Celestine Gion Kyoto Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sunday 21 April Kyoto We will start our day with a visit to the austere RyoanRyoan----jijijiji, a quintessential Japanese dry garden and UNESCO World Heritage Site.. It is one of the world’s most famous gardens as well as one of its first abstract art installations, dating back to the late 1400’s. Afterwards, we will visit 700-year old MyoshinMyoshin----ji,ji,ji,ji, the largest Zen Monastery in Japan. After strolling through the formal central precinct passing one sub-temple after another, with their white-washed walls and open gates revealing unique entry gardens, we will come to RyusenRyusen----anananan, one of 36 quiet, reflective sub-temples and normally closed to the public. We will be meeting with the abbot, who will share with us over 100 fusuma paper doors, each with a Nihonga painting, recently commissioned to celebrate the temple’s 500-year anniversary. After lunch, we move on to a Noh theatertheater for a private demonstration and workshop to learn the foundation of this continuously performed 600-year old art and its little- known, yet critically important, ties to the world of the samurai. The rest of the afternoon will be free time. Overnight: Celestine Gion Kyoto Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Monday 22 April Kyoto Our first stop this morning is the studio of an 8 th generation traditional silversmithsilversmith, located in the heart of the old merchant district. The workshop’s chief journeyman will demonstrate how she transforms sheets of silver into stunning implements for the tea ceremony. We will follow this with a stop at the working studio of a 21 st generation bow maker whose family supplied bows to samurai for nearly 700 years, for an introduction to the art of making Japan’s unique bamboo longbows. Afterwards, we will have a demonstration of iadoiadoiado (a martial art of swords) and kyudo (Japanese archery), so you can see the weapons of samurai in action, as well as learn more about the training that the samurai class (both men and women) embraced in order to hone their skills. Tonight we will enjoy a group dinner. Overnight: Celestine Gion Kyoto Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Tuesday 23 April KKyotoyotoyotoyoto Today we travel by coach to nearby Shigaraki. On the way, our first stop is the home and workshop of the Mori family that has been growing and fermenting indigo dyestuff, and dyeing in the traditional way since the late 1800’s. We will continue deep into the countryside to the Miho
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MuseumMuseum, designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 1997, to see their world-renowned Asian art collection. Shigaraki is also one of Japan’s renowned pottery towns dating back to the 1200’s, and we will visit the workshop of a local potter, who makes functional stoneware with the local light-colored gritty clay that is fired without glaze for six days in a wood-fired kiln. After seeing his kiln and a brief demonstration, we will hear an explanation of the distinctive surface effects for which Shigaraki is known. Overnight: Celestine Gion Kyoto Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Wednesday 24 April Kyoto We start the day at Nijo Castle, one of the last remaining original castles in Japan. The buildings are in excellent condition with door, wall and ceiling paintings by some of the greatest artists of the early 1600’s. The ornately carved wooden transoms are the largest single block wood carvings in the world. The castle is especially famous for its “Nightingale floors,” a medieval security technique where floors were constructed to squeak when walked upon, alerting residents of unwanted intruders. Next, we visit to ShisendoShisendo, a 400-year old retirement home and garden of a samurai. This site is a masterpiece in site design, with 20% of the property dedicated to the entry, creating a dramatic transition from the street. It now functions ias a Soto Zen temple. The remainder of your day will be free time for touring of Kyoto on your own. Tonight we will gather to enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Celestine Gion Kyoto Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Thursday 25 April Depart Japan The morning is free to take in the sights, shop or simply stroll Kyoto’s varied neighborhoods one last time. Transfer by reserved van shuttle, per individual flight times, for your pre- arranged return flight from Osaka Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport. Meals included: Breakfast
EXTENSION:
Thursday 225555 April Nara Travel today to the small, delightfully preserved town of ImaiImaiImai-Imai ---cho,cho,cho,cho, near Nara. This small town, which dates back to the 14 th century still has about 500 traditional houses, retaining the appearance it has had since the Edo period. It is the largest preservation district for traditional buildings in Japan. Visit the home of former samurai families and merchants to see how they lived centuries ago. After some time exploring, travel on to YagiYagiYagi-Yagi ---chocho for lunch and to see another residential area with 300 traditional structures. Afterwards, we will proceed to 1400- year old UNESCO world heritage site HoryuHoryu----ji,ji,ji,ji, located on the outskirts of Nara. It is one of Japan’s oldest temples, founded by Prince Shotoku, who is attributed with having spread Buddhism throughout Japan in the early 600’s. This extraordinary treasure in an intact functioning monastery setting, preserves a classic Chinese architectural style that cannot be seen anywhere in Asia, including China, itself. Horyu-ji’s extensive original wooden buildings include a five-story pagoda with a large central gate. We will arrive at our centrally located hotel by the end of the day and have a group dinner this evening. Overnight: Noborioji Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Friday 226666 April Nara Today we will explore Nara’s most famous sites. within a UNESCO world heritage area. Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital and was established in the year 710. Due to its historic past Nara is filled with historic treasures as well as some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. We start at Nara Park, the location of many of Nara’s main attractions. The park is made home by hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered as messengers of the gods, Nara’s deer are designated a National Treasure and a symbol of the city. TodaiTodai----ji,ji,ji,ji, the Great Eastern Temple, is one of Japan’s most famous and historically relevant temples and inspired by temple construction of China’s Tang Dynasty in the 700’s. Kasuga Taisha is Nara’s most celebrated Shinto shrine. It was established in the same year as the capital and is dedicated to the protecting deity of the city. Kasuga Taisha is famous for its many lanterns which are donated by worshippers and is now home to a fine, small historical museum. Remainder of the afternoon free to explore and dine on your own. Overnight: Noborioji Hotel Meals included: Breakfast
Saturday 27 April Depart Japan You’ll have the morning free to take in the sights, shop or simply stroll Nara one last time. Transfer by reserved van shuttle, per individual flight times, for your pre-arranged return flight from Osaka Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport. Meals included: Breakfast
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