「レッツゴー キャム！」Cam, Ikuzo! Come follow Camden’s journey! July 2025

I recently took part in the “Samurai Armor Experience for Foreigners,” hosted by the Matsudo International Exchange Association (MIEA) and the “Matsudo Handmade in Japanese Katchu Club.”

The event was held at the Tojo-tei Residence, one of Matsudo City’s most famous historical sites. An English-language tour was provided, offering us the chance to learn about the life of Tokugawa Akitake, who was the owner of the residence and expected to become the next shogun just before the transition from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji government, as well about Tokugawa Akitake’s family who lived there with him. The interior and gardens of the Tojo Residence, which evoke the atmosphere of the Edo period, felt like the perfect setting for trying on samurai armor (kacchu).

After putting on the armor, I found myself comparing the designs worn by other participants, which each had unique colors and patterns. Some had sleeves with a pattern that looked similar to snake-scales, others had helmets adorned with eyes on the front. Many featured vivid colors that looked very festive, like costume designs you might see in a celebratory parade. I thought about what if I had a closet lined with armor like that, and I realized I’d spend ages every morning just deciding which one to wear because of how cool they all look. In reality, even after choosing a favorite design, it took us quite a while to get dressed. Thankfully, members of the Matsudo Handmade in Japanese Katchu Club were there to help us put on each part, so we were able to get dressed even with no previous experience of putting on armor.

Even the helmet had to be tied under the chin, and if you tied it incorrectly, the helmet would slip off and fall. But thanks to the careful assistance of the club members, we didn’t have to worry about anything coming loose. We could walk freely, strike poses, and simply enjoy ourselves with a sense of ease.

One thing I found curious was the question: Why should a military general (who would wear the armor) stand out? According to our guide that day, it wasn’t just to intimidate enemies. A flashy appearance made it easier for a military general to be seen by his own troops, which allowed the orders he gave to reach more troops effectively. I learned that there was strategic value in making generals stand out among the crowd.

If you’re interested in other cultural experiences like this one, be sure to check out MIEA’s website for future opportunities!

松戸市国際交流協会（MIEA）と松戸手作り甲冑愛好会主催の「外国人のための甲冑体験」に参加してきました。

今回のイベントは、松戸市の名所の一つである戸定邸で行われました。英語でツアーが行われ、幕府が明治政府に変わる直前、次の将軍になると思われた戸定邸の主である徳川昭武の人生や一緒に戸定邸に住んでいた家族について学ぶ機会でした。江戸時代を思い描かせる戸定邸の内装、庭園は、甲冑を着るのにふさわしい場所と感じました。

甲冑を着用して、他の参加者の着ている甲冑を見比べると、それぞれの色と模様の違いが気になりました。袖に蛇の鱗のように描かれたもの、兜に目がついたものなど、パレードの祝いで見るような色とりどりの配色を活かしたデザインがあり、もし自分の家にこんな甲冑がずらりと並んだクローゼットがあったら、毎朝どれを着るか悩んで、決めるのに相当時間がかかると思います。実際、参加者の私たちも、好きなデザインを決めた後、着用するだけで時間がかかりました。それぞれのパーツを組み合わせてくれる松戸手作り甲冑愛好会の方がいたおかげで、参加者は着用方法がわからなくても無事に装着できました。兜も、顎に繋ぐ緒を結ぶ必要があり、もしその結び方を間違えると、被った兜がすぐに外れて落ちてしまいます。しかし、松戸手作り甲冑愛好会の皆さんがそれぞれのパーツを慎重に身に着けてくれたおかげで、参加者の皆さんは、パーツが落ちることを心配をせず、好きなように歩いたり、ポーズを決めたり、とても気楽で楽しい時間を過ごせました。

不思議に思ったのが、「大将はなぜ目立つべきか」という疑問でした。当日のガイドの方によると、敵に威圧を押し付けるためだけではなかったそうです。大将は他の兵士に指示を伝える際に、目を引く格好をしていると指示がより多くの兵士に伝わる効果があり、目立たせていることを学びました。

他に参加ができる文化体験の機会について、興味のある方はぜひMIEA のホームページをチェックしてみてください！