When asked about the meaning of “kamae”, most martial arts practitioners typically define kamae as “combative posture”. While this is correct on a surface level, it is only the most basic definition and does not fully address deeper aspects and concepts of kamae. The full under-standing of kamae includes the concepts of uko and muko, kamae but no kamae. This is very important. Within Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iai-jutsu, we have five basic kamae, with additional variations. These basic kamae include jodan no kamae, chudan no kamae, gedan no kamae, in no kamae and yo no kamae. Other styles have these kamae as well, or variations of them; additionally, some styles may have different kamae. All of these kamae are examples of “uko”, or the structure and components, the “hard” aspects, of kamae. Proper kamae includes both outer (omote) and inner (ura) aspects referred to as katachi and kokoro no kamae. Katachi represents the outer physical structure of kamae, including position and posture. Kokoro no kamae is “inner kamae” and refers to those aspects of kamae that cannot be seen. An illustration of the principles of kamae can be seen in the construction and fortification of castles in feudal Ja-pan. The physical structures of the cas-tle, such as its walls, as well as other defensive elements, perhaps a moat, rep-resent the katachi of the “kamae” of the castle. Kokoro no kamae is represented by that which is found inside the castle, such as the samurai and the daimyo (warlord) of the castle, as well as their locations. These are considered to be the kokoro no kamae of the castle because they cannot be (continued on Page 2)

Kamae: Uko, Muko and Zanshin by Masayuki Shimabukuro

Kagami Production:

Executive Advisor:

Masayuki Shimabu-kuro, Hanshi

Advisor:

Carl E. Long, Renshi

Editor:

Erik A. Johnstone

Assistant Editor:

Kelly D. Leighton

Inside this Issue:

Weapons Instruc-tor of the Year!

3

Dojo Spotlight 6

Two Days in Yagyu Village

7

Keiko 2006: Aiki, Iai & Kenjutsu

9

Gasshuku 2006 Information

10

Karate-do & Kobudo News

12

Events & Seminars 13

Kamae: Uko, Muko and Zanshin

1

A Message from Shimabukuro Han-shi

3

History: Lineage of the Jikishin-Kai

4

2006 Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Rensei Taikai: Toronto

11

Shindokan Budo Demonstrates at Black Ships Festival

8

Kagami The Newsletter of the Jikishin-Kai International

Volume 1, Issue 3 Kagami - Summer 2006

seen from the outside. These elements all come together to form the “kamae” of the castle. The example presented above should help clarify that proper kamae, whether that of an individual or of a castle, in-cludes both katachi and kokoro no kamae, outer and inner kamae. However, as stated above, this is uko, or the expres-sion of kamae. We must also understand “muko” as it relates to kamae in order to complete our understanding of the dynamics of kamae.

Muko refers to the non-existence of a single kamae; simply put, muko is “no kamae”. To understand the concept of muko, we must first understand that kamae is not simply for defence, not just for blocking attack. Kamae is how to attack and is directly related to the position and movement of an opponent. We can illustrate this con-cept by the image of two swordsmen facing each other, one in chudan no kamae. His opponent moves back, which causes the first swords-man to move naturally from chudan no kamae, perhaps through sei-gan no kamae to jodan no kamae. The movement of his opponent dictated the first swordsman’s change in kamae. The change in kamae as a result of an opponent’ s movement is the same concept as found in iai, where sword is drawn and cuts in response the enemy’s decision to attack. This change in kamae may continue until a suki, or opening, is detected. The effect of this natural changing of kamae results in muko, having “no kamae.” In reality there are true kamae, but as a result of natural constant change, there is no set kamae. So, there is kamae but no kamae. This is uko muko.

One final consideration concerning kamae is that kamae should exist “before kamae”, that is, before the physical structure of kamae is set. This should be understood as being preparatory in nature and as such, is connected to zan-shin. Zanshin, remaining mind, refers to an awareness of and connection to one’s surroundings and opponents, real or potential, and should dictate pre-paratory positioning before the materialization of an opponent or an attack. This results in never being off-guard and having no suki, no openings. In short, zanshin is kamae, for without zanshin, there can be no kamae. An expression of zanshin as kamae may be found in how we execute metsuke in our waza and katachi, but perhaps this is a subject for another time…

Kamae: Uko, Muko and Zanshin (Continued from Page 1)

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Shimabukuro Hanshi: 2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year! by Erik Tracy

On June 27, in Long Beach, California, Shimabukuro Hanshi was awarded the 2006 Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame Award for Weapons Instructor of the Year! About 14 of us from the JKI (including Hombu Dojo, Bakersfield, Pasadena, Pennsylvania and Montana) went up to Long Beach for the Black Belt Festival Awards Banquet to see Shimabukuro Hanshi receive his award. The dinner banquet was a formal event and everyone “cleaned up” very well; the gents in suits or tuxes and the ladies in very nice dresses. We had enough people to completely fill two tables. Black Belt Magazine recognized award recipients from several cate-gories, but I won't pretend to know or remember all of them or the winners. However, the presentation was all very well done with the “Emcee” announcing the category and then, on two very large video screens, a short martial arts “biography” of the winner with pictures. It was quite ”interesting “ to see Shimabukuro Sensei's early martial arts pictures with long hair! There were also some very nice recent pictures from our trip to Japan last fall. The award itself, held by Sen-sei in the photo on the right, was quite impressive, serving nicely as a symbol of recognition of Sensei’s lifelong commitment to the correct transmission of authentic traditional budo.

Another highlight for us that evening involved a bit of recognition for Carl Long Sensei, who had flown to California for the occasion., as well. We caught him completely unprepared with a surprise birthday announcement; he had not expected it at all, so we got him pretty good on that one!

Shimabukuro Sensei was very pleased to have so much support from his students as well as his family for the presenta-tion. In addition to JKI members, his son and daughter were also present at the banquet to share in his well deserved recognition. So, we all congratulate Sensei for this award and for his recognition as a superlative teacher of traditional Japanese martial arts!

“I want to thank all of you for your support with respect to my receiving the award for 2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year and induction into the Black Belt Hall of Fame.

While winning this award from Black Belt Magazine was a very big surprise for me, one of my initial thoughts when informed about winning was that it is not that important. However, upon further reflection, I realize that it carries a great deal of significance, and not just for me, but for all members of the Jikishin-Kai International as well.

I have recently noticed that Black Belt is making an attempt to return to greater coverage of traditional Budo. I have also noticed that there are a great many inductees in the Black Belt Hall of Fame that must be seen as true martial art-ists. Interestingly, considering the number of years that Black Belt has been inducting martial artists into their Hall of Fame, there are few Japanese inductees. As such, I really see this award as a symbol of my being fully accepted as a traditional martial artist and contributing member of society in this country.

But I really want everyone to understand that I truly believe that this award belongs to everyone in the JKI. Remem-ber, I too am also a member of the JKI; I received the award because I am Chairman of the JKI. The award truly be-longs to all JKI students, for without students, there can be no teachers. So, I thank you all once again, but also offer my most sincere congratulations to all members of the JKI for this award!”

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A Message of Gratitude from Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi

A Brief History of the Lineage of the Jikishin-Kai by Erik Tracy

The history and lineage of traditional Japanese sword arts is a complex and varied subject. Anyone who has done some reading on the topic will find that there are numerous sword arts under different names such as ken-jutsu, batto-jutsu, batto-do, iai-jutsu, or iai-do. Even under just one type of sword art, iai-jutsu, for example, there are many different styles or schools with different names specific to their own unique history and lineage. To make the matter yet more complicated is that it is practically the rule that there are different ‘branches’ within a given school/style – and also, the name itself can change over time! Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iai-jutsu is no exception to this, and those that are interested in the history and lineage of this koryu bujutsu (traditional martial art) will find that there is more than one branch that exists today. The matter of history and lineage to any koryu is one of respect and homage - so that the teachings are handed down faithfully and are preserved from one generation to the next. Many schools can trace their own lineage back to the original founder and keep a record of this lineage so that students know where and how their art came to be. The Jikishin-Kai USA/International was founded by Shimabukuro Masayuki, Hanshi, Hachi-dan to represent the Nippon Kobudo Jiki-shin-Kai, which was founded by Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, Judan, and recognized 20th generation headmaster of Seito Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iai Heiho. Our particular lineage, as shown on the right, can be traced back from Miura Sensei all the way to the founder, Hayashizaki Shigenobu Sensei who founded his unique sword drawing art. One might get the impression from this is that there is only one style of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu and that it has had this name since its inception. However, this is not the case at all! Interestingly enough, the name of the style founded by Hayashi-zaki Shigenobu Jinsuke was not Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iai-jutsu. Rather, the original name given by Hayashizaki Shigenobu to his style was Shimmei Muso-ryu batto-jutsu (Divinely Inspired, Unpar-alleled style sword drawing art). In fact, from Hayashizaki Shi-genobu there came many different styles and splits within the tradi-tion. This is not at all unusual for other styles of ken-jutsu or iai-jutsu. There are numerous examples of disciples, who after a time of study under a teacher, strike off on their own to found their own school of swordsmanship. In other situations a student may be given authority/permission (a license of full transmission some-times called ‘menkyo kaiden’) from their instructor to move on and teach the style in another region – where after time, a distinct and separate ‘branch’ perpetuates the tradition. There are even histori-cal instances where the head instructor did not designate a clear successor, leaving the most senior disciples to continue on the tradi-tion under concurrent but different schools. The same occurrences can be found within the tradition of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. Many of the sword arts that are still in existence today can in one way or another trace their line back to Hayashizaki Shigenobu’s style. (continued on page 5)

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A Brief History of the Lineage of the Jikishin-Kai (Continued from Page 4)

One example of this is the split in our tradition that resulted in two main ‘branches’ known as Shimomura-ha and Tani-mura-ha. The Shimomura-ha line of Eishin-ryu has few living practitioners left as the line itself has dwindled – yet its tradition was recodified and renamed by Nakayama Hakudo Sensei as Muso Shinden-ryu in the 20th century and has a world wide membership. The Tanimura-ha line has continued to thrive and expand outside of Japan in various organiza-tions and affiliations – one of which is the Jikishin-Kai. A significant event took place at the time of Oe Masamichi Sensei, 17th headmaster of Hayashizaki’s original style that is more specific to the history and lineage of the iai-jutsu practiced by the Jikishin-Kai. It was Oe Sensei who reorgan-ized and renamed the style as we have it now – Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, or Unequalled Direct Lineage Eishin style, iai-jutsu. He also restructured the curriculum into the waza sets we have today as Shoden, Chuden, and Okuden (tachi waza and suwari waza). During Oe Sensei’s time, Eishin-ryu was still considered sogo bujutsu, or complete/integrated martial

arts system – being comprised of techniques (both solo and paired forms) for daito (katana), shoto (wakizashi), yari (spear), bo (staff) and even empty hand (ju-jutsu). However, the status of the samurai as full time warrior had diminished as did their ability to devote large amounts of time to fully study their martial arts. Some techniques were discarded as not being central to the art. Some techniques became subsumed as ‘kae waza’ or variations to the ones we have today based on their similarity. The situation becomes even more interesting during the time of (continued on page 14)

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Dojo Spotlight: Jikishin-Kai Montana by Lori Mitchell & E. Johnstone

The first two installments of this feature have had an international flavour; this time, the spotlight in this issue takes us to the beautiful Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana, with our focus on the Jikishin-Kai Montana Dojo and Lori Mitchell, Dojo-cho, of Kalis-pell.

Mitchell Sensei tells us that she was born in Laramie, Wyoming, and developed an interest in martial arts early on. She began her martial arts training by joining the Judo club at Uni-versity of Wyoming while still in High School. She also studied Okinawan Karate-do for a time. After graduating from nursing school Mitchell Sensei and her husband moved to Kalispell Montana with her husband (she now has three little boys). In Montana, she "stumbled" on to an Aikido class taught by Walter Von Krenner Sensei, and continued her studies with Von Krenner Sensei for 15 years.

According to Mitchell Sensei, her interest in Iai started over 25 years ago. She says that she was in Hawaii for a senior class trip and went off on her own to visit a dojo and watch. She says that she “witnessed and old man (probably only 50, but he seemed old at the time!!!) doing what I now know was Iaido. I was transfixed; I knew at that moment that ‘someday’ I desperately wanted to learn that art, while at the same time inwardly laughing at the improbability of it!” “In 2003, in my job as a Hospice nurse a very interesting thing happened. On one single day, three patients of varying ages, and very dear to me all made a very clear statement to me, and they all used nearly the exact same wording. Each one of them took my hand, looked me deeply in my eyes and told me that if there was anything I really wanted to do in my life, to do it NOW; they all stressed the transience of life and the importance of not missing opportunities. Of-ten times, passing comments are made, but the intensity and sincerity of these comments, and the ‘coincidence of three in a row’ went straight to my heart. ‘Coincidently’ I was also facing a life threatening illness, and for all I knew, I really didn’t have any time to waste; it made me very brave. I bought the book Flashing Steel and it was clear to me that this was the ‘it’ that I had always wanted to do.”

Gasshuku 2003 at San Diego Hombu dojo was her first encounter with koryu iaijutsu (she says that she was so excited to get there, that she was clocked at 104 mph by the Highway Patrol in Arizona and has since learned it is cheaper to fly!!). “In the preparations for leaving for this trip, I had quite a bit of input on my decision to pursue long distance training. Several people quite close to me really discouraged this, warning me that I was making a mistake. After mak-ing it past the Highway Patrol in Arizona and the new experience of big city driving (I was terrified of driving in San Diego and trying to find the dojo, as Montana and Wyoming were my only driving experiences), I actually did find the dojo, hours before the seminar was to start. All those warnings planted in me had plenty of time to blossom as I began to fear I had indeed made a mistake; plenty of people told me I was crazy and I was beginning to believe it. I found that my fear was misplaced; I was welcomed with great sincerity and I knew before the evening was over that this would be a lifelong and life changing event. Many shifts have happened in my life since then, including a return to health.”

That was 3 years ago. Today, she is teaching class one night a week. “What a journey”, she says. “To say that I went into this ‘kicking and screaming’ is an understatement. Although I was able to keep the ‘arguing’ with Shimabukuro Sensei to a respectable minimum about teaching this ancient koryu, the internal argument was quite a struggle and learning experience; this process of going from student to ‘teacher’ has been intense training in seishin tanren (spiritual forging). It is so true that if one wants to learn something, one should teach it (also, I really appreciate having katachi partners; that one sided shitachi, then uchitachi…pretty limited!). I remember seeing a plaque somewhere, ‘I teach, I touch the future.’ What a tremendous responsibility it is to pass on this budo to preserve it for future. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been such a tremendous support, most especially of course, Shimbukuro Sensei and Long Sensei. I'm looking forward to meeting more of the JKI family and attending as many seminars as I can in order to continue to learn and grow in both technique and seishin tanren. I feel so very lucky to have ‘found’ the JKI.”

Two Days in Yagyu Village by Rick Alexander

The trip to Japan last autumn left many of us in with memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It was a chance to connect to the history and culture of our ryu and come to a deeper understanding of our practice. One of my fondest memories was our trip to Yagyu village, home of the famous school of swordsmanship, the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu. Our trip started at the Kyoto station on a southbound train to Nara. From there, we caught a bus for the 12-kilometer journey along the winding mountain roads that take one back 400 hundred years to a Japan of another time. Upon our arrival, we consulted the village map and followed the stream running through the village to the Hotokuji Temple. Hotokuji contains the wooden statues of Yagyu Munenori, fencing master and instructor to three Tokugawa Shogun, and his mentor, the Zen master Takuan Soho. Takuan’s teachings significantly influenced Munenori to the extent that the sword became more than just a weapon; it became a metaphor for the perfection of one’s self. Looking up at their stern expressions, I wondered just what their conversations might have been. In the back of the Hotokuji Temple is a small museum containing the densho or handwritten scrolls outlining the curriculum and heiho of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu as well as beautiful hand-made iron tsuba made by Yagyu Toshikane. We left the rear of the temple and followed a small path along steep hillsides to the graveyard of the Yagyu clan. There stood the headstones of the Yagyu swordsmen, worn smooth by the weather and lined with small coins left as an offering by other visitors. This ancient burial site left us all with a sense of awe. From the graveyard, we wandered down the path to the Masakizaka fencing hall perched on a steep hillside overlooking the village. The wonder inspired by the temple and gravesite that we felt turned to envy as we thought of the kendoka who now train in the dojo and the mudansha from the Yagyu Shikage-ryu who make the yearly pilgrimage there to train at the ancestral home of their school. We stared wistfully at the inside of a beautiful dojo, wishing for the chance to train there. We then walked up the hillside into a thick, dense for-est to see the Itto-Seki stone. According to legend, The Graveyard at Yagyu Village Yagyu Muneyoshi (Munenori’s father) was walking along this very path when he was confronted by a tengu, a mountain goblin of Japanese folklore that looks something like a cross between a bird and human. Tengu were said to a bit cantankerous and quite skilled in the martial ways. This particular tengu crossed Muneyoshi’s path looking for a fight and Muneyoshi gave it to him. The fight was an epic duel that ended with a mighty cut and kiai from Muneyoshi that barely missed the tengu and split the huge white rock in half. A small shrine behind the Itto-Seki contains a small statue of the tengu. Long Sensei went to the small shrine and left a coin and prayer offering for all of us. There is to this day a kenjutsu set in the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu curriculum named after the tengu. While we were exploring Itto-Seki, Shimabukuro Sensei visited the former home of a Yagyu minister across the village. The home was perched on a small hillside that had been carefully lined with rocks fitted together perfectly to form a smooth curve to help resist a siege attempt. The home and grounds were very beautiful and contained more museum pieces of Yagyu history. We sat in the main tatami room with Shimabukuro Sensei and Long Sensei as they talked about the tokonoma and the design of the house. In the tokonoma was a scroll of the characters for “Heijoshin”, a con-cept of great significance in the ryu that we study. We all took pictures in the house and reluctantly left to walk back to the bus stop for the journey back to Nara (but not before stopping in the sake shop across from the bus stop for a little homemade Yagyu sake!). On the journey back, Shimabukuro Sensei said that we in Eishin-ryu (continued on Page 8)

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Two Days in Yagyu Village (Continued from page 7)

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have much in common with the Yagyu swordsmen. We too believe in katsujinken, the sword that gives life, so it was very fortuitous for us to visit Yagyu Village. During the return trip, Jeff Driscoll Sensei and I talked about returning the next day to practice; there was absolutely no way that we could leave Japan without training in such a beautiful place! So, the next morning we packed our bogu and started off for Nara. After a brief stop at the Kasuga Jinja to buy a small Kamidana and blessing for Driscoll Sen-sei’s dojo, we again boarded the bus for Yagyu. The weather could only be described as the perfect fall day; cool and crisp with bright sun and an azure blue sky. We decided to visit the ruins of the Yagyu mansion. It stood on a small hill in the middle of the village. What had once been a beautiful house like that we visited the day before was now just a foundation filled in with earth and soft grass. The ruins were really a town park with several park benches and a small bathroom facility. Driscoll Sensei and I changed into keikogi and hakama and moved to the soft grass inside the foundation. After performing Hairei towards the Masakizaka Dojo on the opposite hillside, we began practice of the Tachi Uchi no Kurai. We worked through Deai and Tsukekomi to Sensei’s satisfaction. As I drew back into Hasso no Kamae to begin Ukenegashi, I looked across the ruins to see the stiff breeze snapping Sensei’s hakama as he stood in the bright sun outlined by the steep mountain behind him. My trip to Japan crystallized for me in that instant. I understood, if only for moment, why I practice swordsmanship. And, even though we practice a different style, I think Yagyu Munenori would have understood as well.

This past July, the ocean-side town of Newport, Rhode Island, played host to the 23rd annual Black Ships Festival, a multi-day celebration of Japanese arts and culture. As previously reported, the festival is held in honour of Commo-dore Matthew C. Perry, a native of Newport, and is named for the Black Ships, or Kurofune, “foreign trade ships that had been largely excluded from Japan for two hundred years until 1854.” Shindokan Budo of the JKI was honoured to demonstrate Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu at the festival for a second year, sharing a time slot with Damon Apodaca Sensei and the Newport Aikikai. Our demonstration took place on the “Lawn” at Truro Park and included approxi-mately 20 minutes of waza and katachi from Muso Ji-kiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu, kata from Shinto-ryu Ken-jutsu, and a few Jujutsu techniques as well. We were thrilled to take part in this event this year and want to express our sincere gratitude to Apodaca Sensei for so graciously sharing the Newport Aikikai time slot with us. We hope for another opportunity to participate in the festival again next year.

Shindokan Budo Demonstrates at Black Ships Festival by Erik Johnstone

This past June, our good friend David LoPriore, Chief Instructor of Bushidokai Tradi-tional Martial Arts in East Lyme, Connecticut, sponsored a recently established annual seminar called Keiko: A Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Summit. Once again, this three-day seminar featured instruction in Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu, taught by Roy Goldberg, Sensei of the Kodo Kai, and Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu, taught by the JKI’s own Carl Long, Shihan. As many may be aware, authentic Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu, as passed down by Sokaku Ta-keda (pictured at right), is the root art of Aikido and Hakko-ryu Jujutsu. True Daito ryu remains very limited in access; high-level instruction, especially as taught in the Kodo Kai, remains even less accessible. As such, a weekend experiencing the aiki techniques of Goldberg Sensei, one of the few legitimate, senior exponents of the art outside of Japan, is a fascinating, although frequently bewildering, experience. While I am not at liberty to discuss much with respect to practice, it really wouldn’t do justice to the training to even try (and I really couldn’t anyway!). I can only say that one has to feel these techniques directly from someone like Goldberg Sensei to even begin to get a sense of the subtlety and sophistication that is Daito-ryu.

This subtlety and sophistication can also be experienced through Long Sensei’s instruction in Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. Each training event with Sensei reveals new and deeper aspects of the koryu taught by Miura Sensei and Shimabukuro Sensei. And each training event hints at how much there is about these arts that I do not know. I can say that each training opportunity with Long Sensei is a rewarding and inspirational experience. The shared sophistication of these two arts made evident throughout the weekend. Indeed, one of the outstanding aspects of the seminar was the constant referral made by each teacher to principles and concepts that had been taught and illustrated by the other, suggest-ing the deep relationship between sword arts and aiki arts. The Keiko will continue to be held on an annual basis and will be featured as one of the major quarterly JKI events in New England. The next Keiko, once again to be sponsored by Bushi-dokai, is scheduled for August of

2007 and we all look forward to another fantastic weekend of training with both Goldberg Sensei and Long Sensei in these beautiful and sophisticated arts; we certainly encourage JKI members, especially here in the Northeast, to keep their calen-dars open for this one! Bushidokai Traditional Martial Arts is a martial arts dojo as well as a clinic for Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Oriental Medicine. While the primary system practiced at Bushidokai is Kosho Shorei-ryu Kempo, the dojo also houses recently established Jikishin-Kai and Kodo Kai study groups. We cannot thank them enough for all the hard work and hospitality that went into put-ting this seminar together.

Keiko 2006: A Weekend of Aiki Jujutsu, Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu by Erik Johnstone

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January 28th & 29th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Driscoll Karate Institute 21 North Center St. Pottsville, Pa Contact: Jeff Driscoll Phone: 570-622-5059 E-mail: senseijd2000@yahoo.com February 4th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Gerry Blanck's Martial Arts Center 881 Alma Real Dr. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Contact: Gerry Black Phone: 310-573-1985 February 11th & 12th: MJER Iaijutsu Demonstration / Shimabukuro Hanshi & Long Renshi CAS Iberia Star Dust Hotel 300 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV Information: 800-635-9366 February 16th - 18th: West Coast Taikai US Federation of Batto Do & US Federation of Mugai Ryu MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Costa Mesa Hilton Costa Mesa, Ca. Information: http://westcoasttaikai.com Feb. 18th & 19th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Shindokan Budo Wyoming, RI Contact: Erik Johnstone Phone: 401-474-2568 e-mail: eajohnstone@cox.net February 25th & 26th 35th Annual Goodwill Karate-do Championships MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Fumio Demura Shihan/Shito-ryu Karate-do Genbu-Kai Costa Mesa High School Costa Mesa, CA Phone: 714-543-5550 e-mail: jkfitosu@juno.com February 25th:

MJER Iaijutsu Shodan Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Sakura Budokan/Eastern US Hombu Dojo 390 Tioga Ave Kingston, PA Contact: Carl Long Renshi Phone: 570-288-7865 e-mail: clong@jikishin-kai.com March 4th & 5th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan West Virgina Aikido - Kushinkan Dojo Contact: Greg Noble 300 Hillcrest Dr. Charleston, WV 25304 USA Phone: (304) 925-6944 e-mail: gnoble@wvaikido.com April 7th – 9th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan Aikido West Florida Contact: Patty Heath 2447 Executive Plaza, Suite 5. Pensacola, Florida 32504 Phone: 850-479-1907 e-mail: patty@aikidowestflorida.com April 18th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan Bushidokai Traditional Martial Arts Contact: David Lopriore Latimer Brook Commons Unit 107 – 339 Flanders Road East Lyme, CT 06333 (860) 739-5482 e-mail: bushidokai@oldpinetree.com April 22nd & 23rd MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Newport Aikikai 741 East Main Rd. Middletown, RI Contact: Damon Apodaca Phone: 401-848-9100 e-mail: enshinkan@earthlink.net Alternate Contact: Erik Johnstone Phone: 401-474-2568 e-mail: eajohnstone@cox.net

Upcoming Events a nd Semina rs

Page 10 Kagami - Summer 2006

Jikishin Kai Europe has been honored by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi to organize the 2006 Jikishin-Kai Gasshuku of the Jikishin Kai International. Gasshuku 2006 will take place on Oc-tober 13th, 14th and 15th at the Bloso Sports Center in Herentals , Belgium. In view of the in-ternational nature of Gasshuku 2006, Jikishin Kai Europe has chosen a location that provides training as well as sleeping facilities. Training at the Gasshuku takes place from Friday, October 13th through Sunday, October 15th. As posted on the Jikishin Kai Europe website, there is an arrangement to stay at the

“sportshotel” from Friday until Monday morning, October 16th, with meals included (this also includes the dinner on Saturday night). Prices for the Gasshuku are 100 Euros/120 US Dollars for all training; 20 Euros for Friday evening and 40 Euros each for Saturday and Sunday. The room and board price is 160 Euros/190 US Dollars. There will be transportation provided from the airport towards the hotel (s) on day of arrival and return to airport. Arri-vals at Brussels International Airport "Zaventem" coming from the USA are all in the morning between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. There are different options to visit Belgium and other European coun-tries while participating in the Gasshuku. We are providing a trip to Paris, France; a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands and one to Köln, Ger-many. The schedule for the Gasshuku and sightseeing trips is as fol-lows: October 11: trip to Antwerp, Belgium and overnight stay October 12: Train to Paris and overnight stay; October 13: return to Belgium for dinner and the opening of Gasshuku; October 14: Gasshuku and evening dinner; October 15: Gasshuku; October 16: visit to Amsterdam; October 17: visit to Köln, Germany; October 18: return home. Participants can choose to come from the following options: October 11 until October 18 (all trips and Gasshuku); October 11 until October 16 (Paris and Gasshuku); October 13 until October 18 (Gasshuku and Netherlands/Germany); October 13 until October 16 (Gasshuku only). The trip to Paris is approximately 150 Euros per person with train and hotel (single room) with breakfast included. An average hotel room for Antwerp is 90 Euros, so people who take all trips must plan for three extra nights (Oct. 11th, Oct. 16th and Oct. 17th). Arrangements will be such that you can go on the trips with hand baggage; large cases and swords can remain safely at my house for all participants during the trips. For further details, registration and payment information, please visit either the JKI Website (http://jikishin-kai.com/events.htm) or the Jikishin-Kai Europe (http://users.telenet.be/jikishin-kai-belgium/ Gasshuku2006ENG.htm) or e-mail me at jikishin-kai.belgium@pandora.be; I hope to see you here in the “Old World”! Sincerely Yours, Marc Mebis Chief Instructor, Jikishin-Kai Eurpoe/Belgium

JKI Gasshuku 2006: Herentals, Belgium submitted by Marc Mebis

January 28th & 29th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Driscoll Karate Institute 21 North Center St. Pottsville, Pa Contact: Jeff Driscoll Phone: 570-622-5059 E-mail: senseijd2000@yahoo.com February 4th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Gerry Blanck's Martial Arts Center 881 Alma Real Dr. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Contact: Gerry Black Phone: 310-573-1985 February 11th & 12th: MJER Iaijutsu Demonstration / Shimabukuro Hanshi & Long Renshi CAS Iberia Star Dust Hotel 300 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV Information: 800-635-9366 February 16th - 18th: West Coast Taikai US Federation of Batto Do & US Federation of Mugai Ryu MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Costa Mesa Hilton Costa Mesa, Ca. Information: http://westcoasttaikai.com Feb. 18th & 19th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Shindokan Budo Wyoming, RI Contact: Erik Johnstone Phone: 401-474-2568 e-mail: eajohnstone@cox.net February 25th & 26th 35th Annual Goodwill Karate-do Championships MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Fumio Demura Shihan/Shito-ryu Karate-do Genbu-Kai Costa Mesa High School Costa Mesa, CA Phone: 714-543-5550 e-mail: jkfitosu@juno.com February 25th:

MJER Iaijutsu Shodan Seminar / Carl Long Renshi Sakura Budokan/Eastern US Hombu Dojo 390 Tioga Ave Kingston, PA Contact: Carl Long Renshi Phone: 570-288-7865 e-mail: clong@jikishin-kai.com March 4th & 5th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan West Virgina Aikido - Kushinkan Dojo Contact: Greg Noble 300 Hillcrest Dr. Charleston, WV 25304 USA Phone: (304) 925-6944 e-mail: gnoble@wvaikido.com April 7th – 9th: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan Aikido West Florida Contact: Patty Heath 2447 Executive Plaza, Suite 5. Pensacola, Florida 32504 Phone: 850-479-1907 e-mail: patty@aikidowestflorida.com April 18th: MJER Iaijutsu Seminar/Carl Long Shihan Bushidokai Traditional Martial Arts Contact: David Lopriore Latimer Brook Commons Unit 107 – 339 Flanders Road East Lyme, CT 06333 (860) 739-5482 e-mail: bushidokai@oldpinetree.com April 22nd & 23rd MJER Iaijutsu Seminar / Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi Newport Aikikai 741 East Main Rd. Middletown, RI Contact: Damon Apodaca Phone: 401-848-9100 e-mail: enshinkan@earthlink.net Alternate Contact: Erik Johnstone Phone: 401-474-2568 e-mail: eajohnstone@cox.net

Upcoming Events a nd Semina rs

Page 11 Kagami - Summer 2006

As many are by now aware, Shimabukuro Sensei will be the featured instructor for Iaido and Jodo seminars to be conducted as part of the 2006 Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai (DNBK) Rensei Taikai, to be held in at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario on October 6th and 7th. Sensei is encouraging those JKI yudansha who have previously submitted an application for membership to the DNBK to join him in the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Toronto for this prestigious event. For those com-ing early or wishing to extend their visit to Toronto, local/regional at-tractions include the Royal Ontario Museum, the CN Tower (the world’s tallest free-standing structure), the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, and Niagara Falls (about 1 ½ hours away). Eligibility requirements are as follows: each participant must be a valid General and/or Certified member in good standing of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Yudansha and Yukyusha( Kyu level students) are allowed to participate in this event. Kyu level students must be recommended by his/her instructor. Kyu level students must be registered as a Gen-eral Member of DNBK International Division before participation. The Toronto Skyline and the CN Tower There will be no general spectators allowed other than the immediate family members who are directly in-volved in the event. Spectators must get the official pass to observe the Butoku Sai. Additionally, Shimabukuro Sensei is encouraging members of the Jikishin-Kai International to join the Dai Nippon Butoki Kai. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, originally established in 1895 and currently based in

Kyoto, is one of the most prestigious Budo organizations in Japan. Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, in addition to being the current Headmaster of our lineage of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu and Kaicho of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai, also serves as the senior-most member of the DNBK. Miura Hanshi is a member of the DNBK Board of Director and is Iincho, or Executive Director, for Kobudo Shinsha (rank testing in weapon arts), Kobudo Kenshu (seminars in weapon arts) and Taikai (championships). For further information regarding both participation in the Butoku Kai Rensei Taikai or membership in the DNBK, please contact Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi by telephone at (858)-560-4517 or via e-mail at hq@jikishin-kai.com.

Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi

2006 Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Rensei Taikai: Toronto by Erik Johnstone

Carl Long Sensei returned to Rhode Island once again this past May, this time for a weekend devoted to the instruction of the classical martial arts of Okinawa at Joe Aiello’s Ancient Okinawan Karate Dojo. Long Sensei, Shorin-ryu 7th dan & Shito-ryu 6th dan, has been practicing Karate-do since 1969, and possesses a wealth of knowledge and skill with respect to both Karate-do and Okinawa Kobudo. Sensei teaches Karate-do in the classical sense, i.e., as a complete fighting art, which includes “escaping, controlling and defensive methods through the application of kicks, hand strikes, joint locks, throws, restraints and true self-defense techniques.” The training session on Saturday was devoted to the practice of kata and bunkai from the old Tomari-te lineage of Shorin-ryu. These kata included Wansu, Rohai and Wankan. I have practiced versions of these kata for a long time, and while the versions that Sensei taught are very similar, there are also some very unique and subtle differences. These kata are very different form Shuri-te type kata, having a “soft” and very fluid feel. There is great deal of in/ out and up/down motion and expand-ing/contacting movement in the execution of these kata, leading to different strate- gies in terms of application. Aiello Sensei remarked on the compression and expres-sion of explosive power over short range that is taught through these kata and their application. The training on Sunday focused on Kobudo, with Sen-sei teaching kata for roku- shaku bo (six-foot staff) and for eaku (oar). Sensei taught the bo kata Tenryu no Kon and Katin no Kon and the eaku kata Tokimune no Eaku. Aiello Sensei’s impression of Tenryu no Kun was that it featured a great deal of absorbing and blending move-ment with the bo and a drawing in of the opponent’s weapon. He said that Katin no Kun had a very different feel from most bo kata that he has practiced. His impression was that it is a beautiful kata and that it seemed very “spear-like” in its movement and application, perhaps reflecting a long-ago connection to sojutsu of Japan or the old Ryukuan King-dom, or perhaps to the spear or bo methods of China. The kata also features many sweeping and round movements, with many long thrusts utilizing the full length of the bo. Some of the aspects of the training that Aiello Sensei noted include the seemingly effortless manipulation of the bo and eaku by Long Sensei and the expression of power using the weight of weapon without overt use of muscular force. Aiello Sensei stated that in many ways, both the Karate-do and Kobudo portions of the seminar weekend were “eye openers” and that Sensei, being very familiar with where everyone is in their practice, gave plenty of new concepts to think about and apply to training. We all look forward to further training in Shorin-ryu and Kobudo with Long Sensei. It is likely that his future visits to our area will include, in addition to training in Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu and Jojutsu, training in Karate-do and Okinawan Kobudo.

Shimabukuro Sensei’s new book, Katsujinken – Living Karate: the Way to Self Mastery is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2006. At 462 pages, this book will include a substantial presentation of some of the finer technical points of Shito-ryu Karate-do as well as discussions of the philosophical dimensions of Karate-do in general. With the long rela-tive absence of readily available books of any substance about Karate, this book is sure to be of interest to all practitio-ners of traditional Karate-do, regardless of style or affiliation. Keep your eyes open for updates concerning its avail-ability!

Shorin-ryu Karate-do & Kobudo with Long Sensei by E. Johnstone

Page 12 Kagami - Summer 2006

New Karate-do Book Planned for Fall Release

Page 13 Kagami - Summer 2006

Iaijutsu Seminar September 24 & 25 Instructor: Long Shihan Host: Bushidokai Traditional Martial Arts Latimer Brook Commons Unit 107 339 Flanders Road East Lyme, CT 06333 Phone: (860) 739-5482 - (860) 739-1844 fax email: Bushidokai@OldPineTree.com

2006 DNBK Rensei Taikai: Iaijutsu & Jojutsu October 6 & 7 Instructor: Shimabukuro Hanshi Host: Dai Nippon Butoku Kai International Ryerson University Gym Ryerson University Toronto, Ontario, Canada Contact: M. Shimabukuro email: hq@jikishin-kai.com

JKI Gasshuku 2006 October 13, 14 &15 Instructors: Shimabukuro Hanshi & Long Shihan Will be held in Herentals, Belgium, more info to fol-low. Training will be held on the evening of the 13th, all day on the 14th and 15th, with testing on the evening of the 15th. Contact: Marc Mebis See Page ?? of this issue or visit the Jikishin Kai Europe website for training and price details - http://users.telenet.be/jikishin-kai-belgium/Gasshuku2006ENG.htm email: mebis@pandora.be

Iaijutsu & Jodo Seminar October 27, 28 & 29 Instructor: Long Shihan Host: Aikido West Florida Contact: Patty Heath 2447 Executive Plaza, Suite 5. Pensacola, Florida 32504 Phone: 850-479-1907 email: patty@aikidowestflorida.com

Iaijutsu Seminar November 10, 11 & 12 Instructor: Shimabukuro Hanshi Host: Katabami Budokan Contact: Patrizia Gallo San Jose, Costa Rica email: katabamibudokan@rasca.co.cr

Jikishin Kai International Instructors Seminar November 18 & 19 Instructor: Long Shihan Host: Sakura Budokan 390 Tioga Avenue Kingston, PA 18704 Phone: (570) 288-7865 email: clong@jikishin-kai.com Iaijutsu Seminar November 23 through 28 Instructor: Long Shihan Host: Machado Budo Kai Argentina Contact: Javier Machado San Jose, Costa Rica email: machadobudokai@yahoo.com.ar

Upcoming Events and Seminars

Jikishin-Kai Int. Hombu Dojo Masayuki Shimabukuro,

Hanshi 5505 Clairmont Mesa Blvd.

San Diego, CA. . 92117 Phone: 858-560-4517

Kagami Contact Information: Erik Johnstone, Editor Phone: 401-474-2568

E-mail: eajohnstone@cox.net

Oe Masamichi Sensei (pictured at right) as it is from here that we have several existing related branches of Tanimura-ha Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, all tracing their respective lineages to Oe Sensei. Several fac-tors played a part in the situation we have today where some of Oe Sensei’s most senior disciples are considered as successors to the tradition. During Oe Sensei’s time, he would award certain disciples with what is known as a ‘kongen no maki’ or a ‘scroll of origin’ which was full authorization to carry on the tradition and teach others. There is also the matter of the line’s official credentials (sometimes called ‘densho’), which are passed on from the previous headmaster to a designated successor. If the previous headmaster dies and has not formally or officially named a successor, there could be further differences concerning whom the remaining students elect to follow. It would seem that this is the case here for Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu where all of these factors have played into the current situation. The accompanying chart shows how from Oe Sensei’s time we have several lines of Muso Jikiden Eishin -ryu under different head instructors under different organizations. The Jikishin-Kai is headed by Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, Judan, Niju-dai, or 20th headmaster of our particular ryu-ha. Does the existence of multiple branches mean that one is ‘better’ than another? Certainly not. It is quite the norm in *any* martial art that splits have occurred due to politics, personal mat-ters, or students permitted/authorized to perpetuate their art and take on students of their own. What is important is the sincerity and integrity of the organization that carries on their tradi-tion. Even the Jikishin-Kai does not deny that Ikeda Takeshi is the recognized “Soke” of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu lineage and holds the official credentials of our style. Yet the Jikishin-Kai and the Jikishin-Kai USA/International also represent the tradition of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu through their own lineage back to Oe Sensei and have flourished to carry on the art. We con-sider the other lines to be related ‘family’, and respect all of the teachings as being important and relevant to preserving this unique martial art. It is our hope to have mutually meaningful exchanges with the other ryu-ha so that we can all benefit from the experienced insights we have learned thru hard practice and guidance from our respective headmasters.

Jikishin-Kai.com

Kagami - The Newsletter of the Jikishin-Kai International

A Brief History of the Lineage of the Jikishin-Kai (Continued from Page 5)