As evening approaches, head to the Samurai Kembu Theatre, situated in downtown Kyoto by 5:00 PM. The gates open by 5:15 PM and you shall be shown to your seats. Once you have removed your footwear and taken a seat, settle down as the show begins with an introductory narrative about the Japanese traditional art of Kembu.
Before every demonstration, the immersive narrative shall explain the significance behind it and this show shall give you a comprehensive insight into the culture of the samurai, a warrior class that ruled Japan from the 12th to 19th century. Samurai were said to perform this ritual during the feudal times for courage and concentration.
Today, you can watch the masters wield swords and recite short Japanese poems. These were written by the samurai before battle. Kembu today is a blend of the traditional and modern but is still a preserved part of the culture. Gain more understanding about the suicide ritual, seppuku or hara-kiri and discover the art of folding a fan, which is a sign of respect in the Japanese culture.
Finally, at the end of the show, you get a chance to take a picture with the performers and the sword.