News Wanted: foreign samurai at Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival

"We want to have interviews to decide who can join the parade because it will require about five hours of their time," said Katsuhiro Terada, 79, head of the group. Shishi-no-Kai was founded in 1976 to learn the history of Japanese armor and join various events clad in the protective clothing to pass down its tradition. Some of its about 120 members are also members of a preservation association for matchlock guns handed down to feudal Kawagoe Domain, now part of present-day Saitama Prefecture. They give demonstrations of the antique firearm. Meanwhile, the group will also host an armor exhibition on Feb. 11-12, during which guests can put on samurai armor. The event will be held at Kajimachi Park, which is located alongside the Ichibangai shopping street lined with traditional "kura" warehouses.

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