From Gamer to Samurai

For today's cultural activity, our students visited the Ninja and Samurai Museum in Kyoto, where they were introduced to the rich history and cultural practices of these iconic Japanese figures. The hosts guided them through an engaging exploration of weapons, social class connections, and notable figures in ninja and samurai culture. Many students impressed us with their existing knowledge, quickly distinguishing between ninjas and samurai and recalling aspects of the samurai honor code.

The experience came alive through hands-on activities that excited our young learners. Students had the opportunity to throw authentic ninja throwing stars, imagining themselves on secret missions. This was followed by a chance to dress up in samurai armor and take photos, allowing them to step into the role of these honorable warriors. These experiential exercises helped bridge the gap between their dreams, video games, and historical reality.

We concluded our visit with a thoughtful discussion on how Western media often romanticizes ninja and samurai culture. This prompted our students to consider the importance of accurate cultural representation, especially as they think about developing their own games. The museum visit not only educated our students about an important aspect of Japanese history but also encouraged them to think critically about cultural portrayal in media, making for a truly enriching learning experience.