In the mid-‘80s, my wife and I escorted an American friend to Nikko. Imagine our surprise when we happened upon a setting straight out of a Samurai jidai-geki (period-piece drama). A large contingent of samurai warriors in full-armored regalia were parading down the middle of the street. Soon we were watching mounted archers practicing the art of yabusame with the warriors controlling their horses with their knees. The
