In the world-famous movie, Star Wars, you can find many elements of Japanese samurai culture.

As many of you might know, George Lucas is a big fan of Kurosawa Akira’s movies and it is a famous story that he offered Toshiro Mifune, an actor who played in many of Kurosawa’s movies, the part of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars.

This time, I joined the course called “Samurai Training” held by the kimono rental shop, “Yumenoya” in Asakusa to enjoy STAR WARS™/Jedi Challenges to the fullest.

To get to Yumenoya, go through the Kaminarimon and turn right at Nakamisedori. And you will see it on your right. Look for the mannequin wearing a kimono.

It is just a 5 minutes on foot from Asakusa station on Tokyo Metro Ginza line. It’s in a very convenient location.

You must wear wafuku (traditional Japanese clothes) to participate in Samurai Training. There are many kinds of kimonos available.

This time, I chose a red kimono which looks strong.

Now Ruki’s ready to meet the challenge. She learned how to hold a katana and make a stroke pose.

Today’s teacher is Ukon Takafuji who is the second generation of “Buto Takafujiryu” from Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture.

In addition to offering lectures, both in Japan and abroad, he established an exercise routine called, “Katana Exercise” to introduce the charms of traditional arts.

Now let’s start the training program. Get dressed in your “furisode” and let’s begin the battle!

First, Ruki learned how to bow.

Ruki “the Katana is much longer than I thought it would be and it’s difficult to use.

After rehearsing for 30 minutes, Luki could use the katana fairy well.

And now let’s beggingSTAR WARS™/Jedi Challenges.

This isSTAR WARS™/Jedi Challenges which Lenovo developed. First , download the Jedi Challenges application and set your smartphone in the goggle. 

The models which this app can be used are iPhone 6, Plus, iPhone X, Galaxy 7, edge, S8, Pixel / Pixel XL, LG G6, Moto Z2 Force Edition and Android smartphones.

English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese are can be used. (2018 January )

First, connect the light saver and smartphone to Bluetooth. It’s good its wireless.

It’s much lighter than you would think and it won’t slip because it has a good grip.

This light saver is just like a real thing in every detail. Just by looking at it, you can enjoy the world view of this game.

Fasten the the smartphone to the goggles as is instructed in the app. It cannot be used with other apps.

It is also recommended that you turn your banner off so that it’s not interrupt your game.

When you put your AR goggles on, a 360 degree 3D image will appear. Look around and you can enter the world Star Wars.

The half invisible characters will appear as life-sized characters. You can experience the scene where Princess Leia asks Obi-Wan for help – the best scene in EP4.

If you play the game in the darkened room the images will be even clear and the atmosphere will be awesome.

There are 3 types of games in total, however the best game is “light saver battle.”
In this game you can actually fight with the characters that appeared in the story using the light saver.

“I can see the light saver!” says Ruki in excitement. If it was for real you would have to do special training to be able to use the light saver. But in this game it is so easy to use. The power of technology is amazing. Thank you, Lenovo!!

At the early stage you can successfully finish but as the stages advance you enemies will become stronger and stronger. This time it is battle with Darth Maul. The life-size characters coming this way look so real-looking. Ruki looks like he is going to run away.

In the light saver battle, you have to stop you opponent’s light saver and then duck your opponent’s light saver, all the while looking for a moment for you to attack. Using AR you can experience a real battle scene. A hint will appear momentarily on the screen to suggest to you how to convey a big damage when your opponent is off guard. You have a chance to cause major damage. Don’t miss this chance. While you are playing this game you will no doubt be moving about, so make sure that there are no obstacles in your way and it is best to play the game in a wide space.

Ruki: “When you cut your opponent with the light saver, the light saver shakes and it is as if it is for real. It really feels like you have entered the world of the movie.”

Using sword-work learned directly from teacher Ukon, and after a desperate struggle, somehow you were able to win over Darth Maul.
The light saver is not for real but this is the way you will feel.

We finished Samurai training and got a certificate.

Overall Luki becoming a closer to be Jedi…?

In addition, STAR WARS™/Jedi Challenge includes other games.

Your concentration and strategy will be tested in Holochess.
By making best use of the aliens in this game you are trying to increase your territory in the chessboard.

This is a strategy game where rebel forces fight with the mighty empire forces.
Enlarge your front line bases and repel the empire forces!

You might be able to become a Jedi by playing STAR WARS™/Jedi Challenge!

May the force be with you!

Model:Ruki

Writer:Nao Shiota