The Miyamoto Musashi Budokan (a budōkan (武道館) is a

dōjō A is a hall or place for immersive learning or meditation. This is traditionally in the field of martial arts, but has been seen increasingly in other fields, such as meditation and software development. The term literally means "place of the ...

(道場) where

budō is a Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. Literally translated it means the "Martial Way", and may be thought of as the "Way of War" or the "Way of Martial Arts". Etymology Budō is a compound of the root ''bu'' ( 武:ぶ), ...

(武道) is practiced, the word kan (館) means "house") built in the province of Mimasaka in Ōhara-Cho cradle of

Miyamoto Musashi , also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin, who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship a ...

(March 12, 1584, Ōhara-Chō - May 19, 1645) was inaugurated on May 20, 2000 for the anniversary of his death. This budokan is dedicated to the official

martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

. It brings together all the saber and

kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords (shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and has spread ...

traditional schools. All Japanese martial arts are called to this precinct, the heart of traditional Japan. This budokan achieves the unification of martial disciplines not only in practice but also historically and culturally. The inauguration took place in the presence of many Japanese officials including Sensei Tadashi Chihara guarantor and tenth of the line of

(who was at the initiative of the building), the mayor of Ōhara-Cho Fukuda Yoshiaki,

Élisabeth Lamure Élisabeth Lamure (born 20 November 1947) is a French politician and a member of the Senate of France. She represents the Rhône (department), Rhône department and is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement Party. ReferencesPage on the Sena ...

mayor of

Gleizé Gleizé () is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France. Population Culture and heritage Places and monuments * Castle of Vaurenard : This is where the Baron de Richemont died. * Castle Montfleury. * Castle of Saint-Fonds. F ...

, and several saber and kendo schools representative of traditional and contemporary Japan.

Infrastructure

The main arena on the first floor can receive six

courts. The second floor contains 838 spectator seats. International kendo competitions are regularly organized there. * Main arena 1,376 m² (42 m x 32 m), (139 ft x 105 ft) ** 6

(11 m x 11 m), (36 ft x 36 ft) ** 2 volleyball ** 1 basketball ** 8 badminton * Room dedicated to Budo 322 m² (23 m x 14 m), (75 ft x 46 ft) ** 2 Kendo (9 m x 9 m), (29 ft x 29 ft) ** 2 Judo Auxiliary facilities: training room, meeting room, fitness room, health / physical consultation room, rest room, equipment depot, changing rooms, shower rooms, room dedicated to broadcasting, offices

Architecture

The project was designed by Sensei Tadashi Chihara guarantor and tenth of the line of

. The architectural design of the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan was entrusted to Wataru Numata. The structure of the main arena surrounded by two floors above the ground is made of reinforced concrete. The total floor area is 6049 m² (the first floor of 4252 m² and the second floor 1797 m²). The building has been certified by Heart Building. This Budokan represents a samurai helmet or

kabuto ' (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors which, in later periods, became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Note that in the Ja ...

symbol of the

Okayama prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Okayama Prefecture has a population of 1,906,464 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 7,114 Square kilometre, km2 (2,746 sq mi). Okayama Prefectur ...

and recalls the label as well as the central personality of the Japanese culture and native of the country, Musashi. The delivery took place in May 2000 preceding the inauguration of May 20, 2000, in memory of the anniversary date of Miyamoto Musashi (March 12, 1584, Ōhara-Chō - May 19, 1645).

Access by transport

Chizu Express,

Chizu Line The is a Japanese third-sector railway that connects Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures. The Chizu Line is not electrified, but is a high-grade railroad, and extends a total of 56.1 kilometres. The limited expresses ''Super Hakuto'' and ''S ...

Miyamoto Musashi Station is a railway station in Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, operated by the third-sector semi-public railway operator Chizu Express. The station takes its name from the famous warrior Miyamoto Musashi, who (according to one theory) was born n ...

10 minutes on foot. File:Miyamotomusashi st01s2816.jpg File:Miyamotomusashi st06s2816.jpg

References

{{Commons Dōjō Society of Japan 2000 establishments in Japan Miyamoto Musashi