KATANAYA ICHI: Samurai Arts Performance Team
Original Samurai non-verbal Show
We are KATANAYA ICHI, a professional Ninja and Samurai performance team.
We bring the iconic Samurai and Ninja of Japanese culture to life through modern staging, expert swordplay, and authentic choreography. Our performances captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
An original, immersive show that showcases precise swordsmanship and the artistry of bushido.
Designed for international audiences, this performance features no dialogue, relying on expressive gestures, dynamic swordplay, and immersive sound effects to convey the essence of bushido—the way of the samurai.
Non-Verbal Samurai Shows
We perform original shows themed around ninjas and samurai all over the world. To ensure it’s easily understood by international audiences, the show is non-verbal with almost no spoken lines.
There is narration at the beginning, along with background music and sound effects, but dialogue is kept to a minimum. Through gestures, facial expressions, and sword-fighting action, we bring the spirit of Bushido to life.
KEIJI
This Samurai stage show tells the story of Maeda Keiji, a legendary samurai from the late Sengoku period. He was a master of the spear, known for his eccentric personality and free-spirited way of life. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan in 1590 and brought peace to the land, the Sengoku period came to an end, and samurai found themselves without purpose in this new era. Keiji abandoned the world of battle, sealed his spear, and set off on a journey as a wandering ronin. (20 mins)
GOEMON
A thrilling Samurai performance show inspired by the legendary outlaw Ishikawa Goemon, rumored to be a traitor from the Iga-ryu Ninja clan. Orphaned as a child, Goemon trained in swordsmanship at a ninja village and later became a Robin Hood-like figure, defying the rule of his enemy, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Armed with a ninja sword, the story begins on a rainy night and unfolds into a fierce battle between Goemon and Hideyoshi’s forces.(20 mins)
KITSUNEBI
A thrilling and dynamic fictional action performance that brings to life an epic battle between two legendary icons of Japanese culture: the noble Samurai and the elusive Ninja. Experience breathtaking sword fights, masterful choreography, and the rich traditions of Japan in an unforgettable showcase of skill, honor, and stealth.(20 mins)
Kenbu: Traditional Japanese Sword Dance
Kenbu is a traditional Japanese dance performance that incorporates sword movements, drawing from samurai gestures and battle techniques. We also have our own original kenbu, a five-minute sword performance without a storyline. We perform a sword dance with 5 to 10 dancers. (5 mins)
Samurai Experience
We host Samurai experiences around the world to share the art of Japanese sword fighting (Tate) with people everywhere. If you invite us, we can bring the experience anywhere. In Tokyo, we hold sessions every week. Click here for more information.
KATANAYA ICHI Performance achievements
Started international performances in 2015, showcasing Samurai stage productions in 24 cities across 15 countries.
2025
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | SPLIT | April 8 | Japan in Briig |
| Croatia | Zadar | April 11-12 | Tuna Sushi and Wine Festival |
| Spain | Barcelona | June 21-22 | Matsuri |
| Spain | Vigo | June 31-July 2 | Kokoro Japan Expo |
2024
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Tokyo | May 19 | Festival Special Stage |
| Turkey | Bursa | June 7 | JAPAN DAYS IN TURKEY |
| Turkey | Ankara | June 9 | ANKARA JAPAN DAY |
| Spain | Barcelona | June 15–16 | MATSURI |
| France | Tours | June 28–30 | Japan Tours Festival |
| Spain | Vigo | July 6–7 | Kokoro Japan Expo |
| France | Paris | July 11–14 | Japan Expo |
| Japan | Osaka | October 13 | Connecting Japanese Culture: Grace and Beauty – Halloween × Japanese Ghosts Edition |
2023
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Melbourne | May 21 | Japan Festival 2023 |
| Japan | Shinjyuku | May | Japanese Festival Special Stage |
| Italy | Padua | June 5 | |
| Spain | Barcelona | June 17–18 | MATSURI |
| Netherlands | Amstelveen | June 26 | Japan Festival Nederland |
| France | Tours | June 30–July 2 | Japan Tours Festival |
| Spain | Vigo | July 8–9 | Kokoro Japan Expo |
| France | Paris | July 13–16 | Japan Expo Paris |
| Croatia | Rab Island | July 26–27 | Rabska Fjera |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | August 1–10 | GAMERS8 |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana, Kočevje, Brda | September 13–16 | |
| Japan | Tsukishima | September | ICHIFES 4 |
2022
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Paris | July 14–17 | Japan Expo |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | August | GAMERS8 |
| Japan | Shibuya | September | BUREIKO 2022 |
| Japan | Ginza | November | ICHIFES 3 |
2020
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | Zagreb, Rijeka | February 21–23 | RIJEKA INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL PARADE |
2019
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Paris | July 4–7 | Japan Expo |
| UAE | Abu Dhabi | August 26–31 | ADIHEX |
2018
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Paris | July 5–8 | Japan Expo |
| Taiwan | Taipei | August 24–27 | Touch The Japan |
| UAE | Abu Dhabi | October 25–27 | MIDDLE EAST GAMES CON |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh | December 29–30 | KIZUNA JAPAN |
2017
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Washington D.C. | April 8 | National Cherry Blossom Festival |
| Thailand | Bangkok | September 1–3 | JAPAN EXPO IN THAILAND |
2016
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Paris | July 7–10 | Japan Expo |
2015
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Düsseldorf | July 7–10 | Kindergarten & Elementary School Performance |
| UK | London | July 10–12 | HYPER JAPAN FESTIVAL |
Check our Samurai show!
You can also check the Japanese version of the KATANAYA ICHI website.
Got questions?
Feel free to reach out.