Kagami - Spring2a5Tameshigiri: Its Place in Our Practise (Continued from Page 1) Kagami - Spring 2006 Page 2 . 1st Annual West Coast Taikai Report by Erik Tracy During the weekend

Tameshigiri is a popular and enjoyable component of the practise and study of traditional Japanese sword arts. However, its place in history of the Japanese sword and sword arts and its relevance to our study of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu is frequently misunderstood or over-looked. The most commonly understood definition of tameshigiri is “test-cutting”, and implies a test-ing of the blade. As many of you are aware, Miura Sensei prefers to use the term “suemonogiri”, implying a testing of the swordsman’s skill in cutting. According to Miura Sensei, suemonogiri is also more ceremonial in nature. Historically, one application of tameshigiri was the testing of shinsaku-to (newly forged blades), typically conducted by tosho (sword smiths) using straw or bamboo targets. Because it can imply the killing of another human being, tameshigiri was conducted prior to the final pol-ish of the sword. When satisfied with the cutting capabilities of the blade, the tosho would purify the sword through prayer and ritual in order to remove any harmful spiritual energy that may have manifested in the sword as a result of the tameshigiri, thereby breathing new spirit or “life” into the blade. After final polish, the sword that was presented to the samurai for whom it was made was pure and shining, free of harmful energy and impurities, both spiritual and physical. Originally, tameshigiri may have been applied in executions or in acts of sacrifice to mythologi-cal gods, particularly in variations of blade testing used in other cultures. In feudal Japan, an-other historical application of tameshigiri involved the use of human corpses for testing the blades of many samurai. This practise became so common that at one point there was great demand for corpses for this purpose. Over time, however, the use of corpses for tameshigiri came to be viewed by many as inhumane and barbaric. As a result, it became somewhat re-stricted, and, in the Edo Period, was most often conducted in association with the punishment of convicted criminals. Test cutting for such purposes was most typically carried by experts in the techniques of cutting, known as tameshi-geisha and suemono-shi. (Continued on Page 2)

Tameshigiri: Its Place in Our Practise by Masayuki Shimabukuro

Kagami Production:

Executive Advisor:

Masayuki Shimabu-kuro, Hanshi

Advisor:

Carl E. Long, Renshi

Editor:

Erik A. Johnstone

Inside this issue:

1st Annual West Coast Taikai

3

Dojo Spotlight: Jikishin-Kai Bel-gium

4

Iai: Fitting In 5

Shimabukuro Sen-sei in RI

6

The Budo Path 7

An Evening at Yankee Stadium

8

Events & Seminars 9

Kagami The Newsletter of the Jikishin-Kai International

Volume 1, Issue 2 Kagami - Spring 2006

These men were typically lower ranking members of the samurai class who were very skilled in Kenjutsu. Because of the historical applications of tameshigiri and the potentially harmful or negative spiritual energy that can be associated with it, negative connotations concerning tameshigiri have carried over into recent history. As recently as a half-century ago, tameshigiri was not usually conducted during embu or taikai. The places in which embu are con-ducted are frequently holy or special places. It was felt that the negative images and feelings tameshigiri brought, those of cutting human corpses, had the potential to contaminate the spiritual nature of embu and their associated locations. Certainly, no one would want to demonstrate the methods of their ryuha following tameshigiri. Today, we view tameshigiri differently. It is a common element of demonstrations, and has become a mode of compe-tition in recent decades. In many ways, this is a positive evolution, and can be an outlet for additional enjoyment of one’s practise. However, tameshigiri conducted for such purposes should be kept in proper perspective. While it may have many positive aspects, such as the development of focus, awareness, and sportsmanship, tameshigiri for such purposes is frequently conducted for the entertainment of spectators. Due to its intent, such tameshigiri may be viewed as yugei, or performing art, rather than bugei, or martial arts. While the practice of tameshigiri is a valuable component to one’s training, understand that real skill in proper cutting is a direct result of the constant effort of correct practise of the waza and katachi of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. This is most important. From our perspective, proper cutting is really a product of the embodiment of the principles con-tained in the curriculum of our ryu. The attitude required for tameshigiri is very different in one’s individual practise when compared to embu or taikai; it is a personal study. Due to this reality of our training, tameshigiri should be under-stood as ura waza, or hidden techniques, of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. The instruction in tameshigiri that I received from Miura Sensei illustrates this point well. The lesson consisted of one cut! That was it! And it was over in a less than a second. When he finished the cut, Miura Sensei dis-cussed the importance of kokyu, of the hips and total body and the connection to the target. I understood that the swordsman and the target should be one, not two. Sensei finished his instruction saying, “You got it? Now research and train yourself!”

Tameshigiri can be a useful part of our practise and can help in our progress. In many ways, it is inseparable from Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu. It can also be fun. However, it should be remembered that the practise of tameshigiri as part of your training in Iaijutsu is a personal study and should be approached with correct attitude and intent. Tameshigiri is a part of the total way to view technique; there is no need for fancy or showy cutting. Rather, it must be conducted with the same sincerity that one would practise waza or katachi. It must be practised as Budo.

Tameshigiri: Its Place in Our Practise (Continued from Page 1)

Page 2 Kagami - Spring 2006

1st Annual West Coast Taikai Report by Erik Tracy

During the weekend of February 16-18 a special event took place in Cost Mesa, California – it was the first annual “West Coast Tai Kai”. The event was sponsored by the Senpokan Dojo and “Big Tony” Alvarez and was unlike other such events we’ve seen on the west coast. In previous years, the big tai kais for the Japanese sword arts have been hosted on the East Coast down in Orlando, FL. But this time those of us on the “left coast” were treated to a well at-tended and organized event which proved to be something special. The weekend schedule was busy and started early Friday morning with a day full of seminars from a wide variety of choices. Seminars were offered from several traditional sword arts as well as more modern variants along with others for tameshigiri and even sword care and appreciation. The seminars were open to anyone and gave a rare opportunity to experience different swords arts and a different (or similar) perspective on iai/kenjutsu. The assembly of instructors for the seminars was impressive: Niina Toyoaki Gyok-sui Soke of Mugai-ryu Iaihyodo, Yamada Soke of Shin Shin Sekiguchi-ryu, Hataya Mitsuo Shihan of Toyama-ryu, Bob Elder Sensei of the US Battodo Federation, and even our own Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. There were even seminars for basic and advanced tameshigiri, taught by some very highly ranked and qualified instruc-tors from Japan. I assisted Shimabukuro Sensei along with Robin Ramirez for the morning Eishin-ryu seminar and af-terwards received many compliments to Shimabukuro Sensei for sincerely sharing his insights on iai-jutsu.

One seminar I found especially interesting and instructional was for sword appreciation taught by Ted Tenold and Keith Larman. Both Ted and Keith are very knowledgeable and experienced ‘togishi’ (sword polishers) who have done marvelous work for many custom swords. They brought some exquisitely beautiful and perfectly pol-ished antique and modern made Japanese blades by some famous and respected smiths for us to actually hold and examine up close. Ted jokingly remarked that he purposely did not mention the value of the blades during the seminar lest people be too timid to even han-dle them for themselves. Later I learned that the piece pictured here on top was valued to be about $60,000!! Gorgeous!!

Ted Tenold of Legacy Arts Later on Friday evening some of the visiting instructors and guests performed enbu (demonstration) of their respective art. It was a very rare and unique opportunity to see so many different sword arts demonstrated in the same venue by highly eminent and respected martial artists. By the time the Friday events concluded I was hungry and exhausted and simply wanted a good dinner and some sleep before the actual tai kai portion which started early on Saturday morning.

The taikai began with sword inspections and check-in for the events and after everyone had their swords looked at for safety and certified for use in the competition we all assembled in the ballroom to start. It proved to be a long day as there were about 60-70 competitors covering many events from battodo kata (standing) to iai kata (sitting or kneeling), to battodo, iai, and even wakizashi tameshigiri, there was even futo maki (large single target of multiple tatami mats), to yoka narabi (multiple singe roll tatami aligned upright in a contest to see how many could be cut), to dodan giri (a hori-zontal stack of mats which you cut down vertically to see how many you can cut). With events segregated by experience, there were many events to be completed all day Saturday. But despite this, the taikai proceeded at a good pace with two simultaneous judging areas. The judging was efficient (continued on Page 10)


Planned as a regular feature, The Dojo Spotlight column will serve to profile Jiki-shin-Kai International (JKI) Dojo and Dojo-cho throughout North America and beyond, thereby providing another means by which we of the JKI can come to know one another a little better. The Katabami Budokan Costa Rica, the subject dojo of our inaugural Dojo Spotlight column, is a dojo that, perhaps due in part to its seemingly remote location with respect to the rest of the JKI, may be somewhat un-known to some of our members. Located in San Jose, Costa Rica, the Kata-bami Budokan, formerly known as the Iaido Club De Costa Rica, serves as one of the two

Dojo Spotl ig ht: Kata ba mi Budoka n Costa Rica by E. Johnstone & P. Gallo


The second installment of the JKI Dojo Spotlight features Marc Mebis Sensei, Chief Instructor and Representative for Belgium and Europe for the Jikishin-Kai International, and Jikishin-Kai Belgium, a JKI Shibu Dojo representing the JKI in Europe. Originally from the town of Hoboken, near the city of Antwerp, Belgium, Mebis Sensei began his training in the mar-tial arts on the occasion of his tenth birthday on September 7, 1975. He began his studies with Jujutsu and shortly thereafter, began practising Okinawan Kobudo and Iaido as well. In 1994, after nearly 20 years of martial arts experi-ence, Mebis Sensei started his own dojo called the Yamato-ryu Nippon Budo Kai, teaching Yamato-ryu Jujutsu, Oki-nawa Kobudo and Iaido. At that time, Mebis Sensei practised Seitei Iaido and Muso Shinden-ryu Iaido. Having previously initiated contact with the Jikishin-Kai International, Mebis Sensei made his first journey for training under Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi in August 1999 to attend the Gasshuku in San Diego. Mebis Sensei states that upon meeting and training under Shimabu-kuro Sensei, he realized that he had “finally found what he had been looking for: an exemplary Budo teacher and a fine organization offering access to traditional Japanese arts.” As a result of his experience in San Diego, Mebis Sensei became a member of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai/Jikishin-Kai International, study-ing Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu under the direction of Shimabukuro Sensei. Mebis Sensei says that while in San Diego, he was introduced to Carl Long Sen-sei, who would also play a significant role in Mebis Sensei’s future in Budo. He was also able to travel to San Diego again in 2000 for the occasion of Miura Ta-keyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi’s visit. Since that time, he has made numerous trips to San Diego to study with Shimabukuro Sensei and to Kingston, PA to study with Long Sensei. In 2000, Shimabukuro Sensei granted Mebis Sensei permission to teach Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu in Belgium and to establish the JKI in Europe. Now respon-sible for disseminating Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu throughout Europe, he regularly teaches Iaijutsu in many countries, serving as a point of contact between Jikishin-Kai International and the European Japanese sword arts community. Mebis Sensei tells us that with MJER students in Belgium, the Nether-lands, France, Spain and Germany, the JKI presence in Europe is growing steadily. He also says that there is interest in MJER in Eastern Europe, but due a slower economy there, expansion into that region remains a challenge. In addition to his duties as the Chief Instructor for the JKI in Europe, Mebis Sensei also practises Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu under Antonio Garcia Sensei. Mebis currently holds a Godan in Yamato-ryu Jujutsu, Sandan in Okinawan Kobudo, Sandan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu and a Shodan in Hakko Denshin-ryu Jujutsu. Mebis Sensei tells us that his life has changed significantly since his first visit to San Diego (for the better, he adds!). He has learned a great deal since that time, and over the past few years of traveling to the US, has met many interesting people, some who he calls “friends…dear and precious friends.” He says that each trip to the US is a sort of home-coming for him, every time he visits. He believes that “such experiences are the real treasures that one finds in life.” Mebis Sensei states that he “hopes that there are many years in front of us in which we can continue to grow as a family and that the Jikishin-Kai Belgium can contribute a little part to that.” Mebis Sensei has taken on the task of organizing and sponsoring the 2006 JKI Gasshuku, to be held October 13 - 15 in Belgium. According to Mebis Sensei, training, room and board for the 3-day seminar will be very reasonable. As a result of his frequent trans-Atlantic travels, Mebis Sensei understands the financial burdens of such trips, but tells us that travel to Europe in October is much less expensive than during the summer or holiday seasons. There are also plans for a potential 2-day trip to Paris and/ or a 1-day trip to Amsterdam, for those interested in maximizing their ex-perience while in Europe. More information will be provided as it becomes available. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact Mebis Sensei with any questions that you may have. He can be contacted at: mailto:[email protected] or visit the JKI Belgium/Europe website at: http://users.telenet.be/jikishin-kai-belgium/.

Dojo Spotlight: Jikishin-kai Belgium/Europe by E. Johnstone & M. Mebis


Iai: Fitting In by David Puterbaugh Sensei

I had been attempting to come up with some subject about which to write a short article for our newsletter. However, I had not really been having much success until the other day when I picked up a copy of Clouds In The West by Dave Lowry. While reading the chapter entitled “Iai”, I was drawn to the meaning presented for the kanji used in the word “Iai”. To quote from the book, the definition of the character “I” is “to reside in” or “to be in a place”. The second character “Ai” means “a joint decision” or a “mutual agreement”. Together, these two characters create the kanji for “Iai” implying a joining of things that rightfully fit together. A simple definition or interpretation could be “to fit in”. This was the first time that I had seen or heard the word “Iai” defined this way and it prompted me to think about the definition that Mr. Lowry was describing and what that definition meant to me.

As I thought about the meaning of the definition “to fit in”, I began to look a little more closely at myself and at the per-sonal changes that seem to have come about through training in Iai and also through the interaction and relationships begun and developed as a result of that training. It occurred to me then that had I not started studying Iai, I would not have had the opportunity to visit many of the places that I have since been, nor encountered the interesting people that I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know. I had never been a very social person and I absolutely did not like to be in front of a group of people, and would therefore invariably go out of my way to avoid such situations. How-ever, largely a result of training, this has since begun to change significantly. Over the past few years, I have come to look forward to visiting different places, meeting new people and learning “to fit in”. This, like the rest of my training, has be-come an ongoing improvement process. Looking back now over these past few years, I have to thank Long Sensei and Shimabukuro Hanshi and the other members of the JKI for the opportunity to learn a Koryu art that has sur-vived over the centuries and yet still has practical applications in our modern world and daily lives. They have challenged me, always with compassion, and opened doors that I never imagined existed. I am planning to continue to listen, observe and train and hopefully continue to improve in my own proc-ess of “fitting in”, not only in the various places or situations that I may find myself in, but with myself as well.


This past April, Newport Aikikai and Shindokan Budo were honoured to host Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi, along with Carl Long, Renshi, on Shimabukuro Sensei’s first teaching visit to New Eng-land. The seminar was well attended, with more than fifty participants from all over New England as well as from Cali-fornia, Montana, New York, Pennsyl-vania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The training began with the Muso Ji-kiden Eishin-ryu Batto Ho waza, with an emphasis on cutting dynamics and tech-nique. The second half of the day was devoted to the practise of the first four kata in the Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu cur-riculum. The concepts of entering, one cut, and the acceptance of aiuchi as out-come in an encounter were stressed.

Sunday’s training included practise of the Shoden Waza, followed by a review of the first four kata of Ono-ha Itto-ryu and the practise of the fifth kata. After a short break, an additional training session was held at Newport Aikikai where we received instruction in five tessenjutsu kata and five kodachijutsu kata. Many of us had been looking forward to this session, and as a result, were lined up elbow to elbow. Despite the close quarters (remedied by training in shifts), we all had a fantastic time and were thrilled about the exposure to yet further aspects of the sogo budo of the Jikishin-Kai.

A recent post on Sword Forum by one of our members reminded me of a very important teaching during the seminar that is well worth relaying here. While discussing the execution of proper Iai, Shimabukuro Sensei stressed the impor-tance of spirit as an essential component in good, effective technique. Technique devoid of spirit, or kihaku, no matter how well performed, is empty, meaningless and ineffective, remaining in the realm of mere form. He taught that the acquisition of proper technique was far more than a matter of copying his technique; one had to practice with the same sincerity. Long Sensei concisely interpreted his words for us by saying that to begin to understand Shimabukuro Sen-sei’s Iai, we must understand what is in his heart as he demonstrates it and that we must try to hold the same feeling in ours.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the seminar party held at Newport Aikikai on Saturday night; the venue greatly facilitated interaction among all in attendance. We had an excellent variety of food and drink and spent the eve-ning in enjoying good company and conversation with friends and family. Long Sensei often says that these times are of utmost importance; we get a chance to renew friendships, make new ones and get to know one another’s hearts. This is a critical part of the glue that holds a koryu together.

I know that I speak for all when I say that we had a fantastic time, and were thrilled at the exposure to some of the other aspects of training available within the Jikishin-Kai. I want to thank everyone who came to support Shimabukuro Sensei's visit; events like this just could not happen without the sincere effort and good will displayed by all in atten-dance.

Our appreciation for both Shimabukuro Sensei and Long Sensei cannot be overstated; we simply cannot thank them enough for everything that they have done.

Thank you to Andrew Priestly for his post on Sword Forum; it was of great help.

Shimabukuro Sensei in Rhode Island by Erik Johnstone


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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] Alternate Contact: Erik Johnstone Phone: 401-474-2568 e-mail: [email protected]

Upcoming Events a nd Semina rs


Why do people begin studying a martial art? There are all the standard answers: because they want to learn self-protection, perhaps as a good workout, almost always because it is more exotic than going to the gym, especially when you are talking about Iaijutsu, although it tends to draw less of a self-defense crowd and more from people who want to learn a fine art. Studying the Art of the Samurai is certainly exotic. Yet still, how often do we stop and really think of the other benefits we get from being budoka? We practice and practice. And practice some more. If we do it "with shining eyes" (to quote Shimabukuro Sensei) we begin to form a base, our kihon, not only physically in our movements with our iaito, but also internally with our spirit; a way of life, a spiritual path. We begin to build wabi. We do this not only with the ability to wield the iaito since this would be merely "dancing with a sword" and each of us has differing physical abilities; but also with building a oneness with ourselves; an inner strength. An inner strength that assists us in all aspects of our lives, even when we are not conscious of it. Yet most of all it aids us in times of trouble. Wabi is simplicity, which we must have to focus on our art. While practicing we leave the material world behind in order to be im-mersed completely in the moment, freed from distraction. Wabi is quiet contentment with simple things. Nevertheless wabi is a lonely path. It is based in solitude and singu-larity. However it does not continue that way for the dedicated bu-doka. The best example of the process that occurs is to look to your own iaito. Do you see the soft glow your hands have polished into the metal fittings from the innumerable cuts you have made? You have been polishing not only your technique, you have also been polishing your spirit. This soft patina is sabi; unpretentious, full of insight and intuition. You no longer have to apply reason or logic to your movements because they just flow. And in the process of polishing our own spirits, we have built interpersonal connections with our fellow budoka that are every bit as valuable as the art itself; connections with others who are of like mind and spirit; relationships which span decades. Camaraderie. You might not see someone for months or years, but when you do, it is like you saw them last week. Mutual respect and a willingness to give assistance, whatever form that might take. These are the things that stay in our hearts and souls, sustaining us through hard times, enhancing our enjoyment during the good. Of course they are only some of the things we gain as we travel the budo path. Most certainly each of us will have our own side-trips along this path. Nevertheless, it leads to the same destination. Little did we suspect when we first set our feet upon it.

The Budo Path by Mark Majestic

Let me preface this by stating that I live in New England, right in the heart of Red Sox Nation. The New York Yan-kees are, in short, an anathema to all but the most misguided residents of our region of the country. Why does this mat-ter? Because I went to Yankee Stadium, the home of the infidel Yankees (we in New England are all still really mad at Johnny Damon for what some here view as an out and out betrayal; and people here have very long memories [except me; I seem to be an exception]), and the Red Sox were not the visiting team.

As most everyone knows, Shimabukuro Sensei is a great sports fan, and an avid baseball fan (one would have to be to be a fan of the San Diego Padres!). Being the baseball fan that he is, and knowing that the venerable Yankee Stadium will soon be no more, he had hoped for the chance to see a New York Yankees home game before moving from their legendary ball park to new digs. Sensei doesn’t get out to the East Coast that much, so in appre-ciation of his pending visit to Rhode Is-land, tickets were acquired prior to his arrival.

So, six of us, Shimabukuro Sensei, Long Sensei, Damon Apodaca Sensei, Chuck Ilgenfritz, Kelly Leighton and myself made the trek to the Bronx (a foreign country as far as I am concerned), and by seemingly divine intervention (which still

does not change my feelings toward the Yankees), managed to avoid nightmarish traffic, parking fiascos and the re-moval of our vehicle’s wheels by the locals while on the Cross Bronx Expressway, and other such occurrences that are so often associated with such an outing. We got there reasonably early (hence the avoidance of the above), found a parking space across the street from the ballpark, enabling us to spend some time in a nearby bar enjoying a few much better (but only slightly less expensive) beers than we would later consume during the game.

The game was pretty exciting, as the Yankees put on quite show through an intermittent light rain, pummeling the vis-iting (and apparently hapless) Tampa Bay Devil Rays with their high-powered offence. We all had a great time, drink-ing a bit more beer (it doesn’t matter that a beer is more than six bucks at the stadium, you’re at a ball game!), eating hotdogs (Sensei, to his apparent great delight, had a big ol’ Italian Sausage with the works), enjoying each other’s com-pany as well as the game. Sensei, well aware of the history of Yankee Stadium and the legends that played there, at one point observed wistfully, “Kind of sad, isn’t it? This is our first and probably last visit to this stadium.” We were all very happy that we were able to make the visit to Yankee Stadium such a memorable part of Sensei's East Coast trip. Next time, however, it's Fenway!

By the way, if you ever get a chance to get to a ball game with Shimabukuro Sensei, do it! He knows the game very well and you will be guaranteed to have a great time with him. The beer will set you back a bit, but hey, it's all part of the experience, eh?

An Evening at Yankee Stadium by E. Johnstone


Upcoming Events and Seminars


Iaijutsu, Jojutsu and Daito Ryu Seminar June 2, 3 & 4 Instructors: Iaijutsu & Jodo/ Long Shihan Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai / Roy Goldberg Sensei 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: [email protected]

2006 Belgium Butoku Sai June 22, 23 & 24 Seminar Instructor: Long Shihan Host: Dai Nippon Butoku Kai International Site: Ganshoren Sport Hall Brussels, Belgium

Eligibility: 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 General Member of DNBK ID before participation.

Contact: Carl Long 390 Tioga Ave Kingston, PA. USA 18704 Phone: 570-288-7865 Email: [email protected]>

Iaijutsu Seminar July 8 Instructor: Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi Host: White Heron Dojo - Steve Johnson Sparks Mormon Church 1114 Prater Way Sparks, Nevada Phone: (775) 787-1512 (home); (775) 240-3910 (cell) Email: [email protected]

Festival of Martial Arts and Black Belt Hall of Fame July 28, 29 & 30 Instructors: Shimabukuro Hanshi & Long Shihan Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Hall A 300 Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90831 This July, Black Magazine will once again sponsor its Fes-tival of Martial arts and Black Belt Hall of Fame. Anyone interested in attending can locate more informa-tion regarding registration at: Festival of Martial arts <http://blackbeltmag.com/content/foma/home.html> Information regarding seminars being taught can be found it at: Seminars <http://blackbeltmag.com/content/foma/seminars.html> Go to Sampler Seminars on this page. 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: [email protected]

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 the Jikishin Kai Europe website for training and price details - website <http://users.telenet.be/jikishin-kai-belgium/Gasshuku2006ENG.htm> Email: Marc Mebis <mailto:mebis@pandora,be>

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: [email protected]

(continued from Page 3) and fair with a single elimination format: two competitors would face off against each other and the judging panel would decide whether aka (red) or ashiro (white) was the victor for that round. The list of competitors read like a ‘who’s who’ from the various on-line internet forums and discussion boards. I recognized many of the competitors by name only, some of the instruc-tors and judges I had never met before, but the ‘air’ to this event seemed different: more con-

genial and more sharing – so while I’ll admit to be-ing slightly nervous to represent Eishin-ryu well (and more so from knowing Shimabukuro Sensei was judging me!), the whole event felt more like an enbu among new family than ‘opponents’. It was quite obvious that most of the competitors were affiliated with the US Battodo Federation and their associated arts of Toyama-ryu and Nakamura-ryu, but there were others there from different or-ganizations as well. The Jikishin-Kai was repre-sented by Steve Garsson and myself from the hombu dojo, and Robin Ramirez Sensei from the Bakers-field JKI dojo. We hope that more from the JKI will come out and show support for next year’s event.

Erik Tracy competing batto-do tameshigiri All in all we did pretty darn well, with Robin Ramirez declared “yusho” or overall winner as he placed in the top 3 for practically every event he competed in! For his achievement, he was awarded a brand new bare blade katana custom made and donated to commemorate this event by Howard Clark out of his impressive L6 steel. The results of the taikai have been posted along with other pictures from a link on the JKI Hombu Dojo EZBoard Forum you can find here: http://p223.ezboard.com/fjikishinkaifrm7.showMessage?topicID=68.topic I’d encourage everyone to participate in events like this. It is a rare occasion indeed when you can get so many highly respected and experienced leaders and practitioners (Soke, Han-shi, Kyoshi, Renshi, and high level yudansha) from different traditions sharing what they know about their respective arts. Not only that, but it is an op-portunity to see a display of outstanding martial arts by dedicated people. And I literally can not count how many people I finally got to meet who I only knew before as a name on the internet. By the end of the taikai, we were sharing experiences, insights, and some priceless stories over a ‘cold one’! See-ing good ‘budo’, making new friends, learning, and participating – it was all good! I’d like to thank Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing and Renfield Kuroda Sensei (Mugai-ryu Iaihyodo) for their permission to use the pictures in this article. Robin Ramirez competing iai tameshigiri

Jikishin-Kai.com

Kagami - The Newsletter of the Jikishin-Kai International

Documents

Kagami - Spring2a5Tameshigiri: Its Place in Our Practise (Continued from Page 1) Kagami - Spring 2006 Page 2 . 1st Annual West Coast Taikai Report by Erik Tracy During the weekend