Musashi in Brazil!

On my last trip to Japan, I´ve met Musashi Sensei once again.
This time, the hurricane Lan almost prevented the reunion, but everything worked out, and I was able to visit the Kumamoto Castle, which was partially destroyed by the earthquake in the last year, and wasn"t fully restored yet.
Musashi Sensei was very healthy, and I could realise about that in the Kaiseki Ryori tasting in the private lounge.
Among several issues, such as the beginning of the Niten Ichi Ryu in the United States and the 1st Pan Americano Meeting, I invited him to come (to Brazil) next year, for the most representative event of all times, in terms of the Samurai combat : The 1st Kenjutsu´s World Tournament, in October 2018.
Musashi Sensei showed a lot of interest, but due to his advanced age (434 years), ended up declining the invitation with these exciting words:
"The Katas and the Combat, although distinct from one another, they can"t be separated, and Kenjutsu Combat makes this fusion between them. Keep perpetuating our Samurai legacy!"
And so, before finishing up our meal, he took a sip of sake, and looked deep into my eyes and said:
"I will send my successor, Yoshimoti Kiyoshi Soke, to represent me in this hugely significant event.
Hope that my students present to the world the best Samurai fighting ever!"

16th TBEK - Results

Results of the 16th Brazilian Team Tournament of Kobudô

Kenjutsu: Kaiseki Ryori

Diamond Moments at Nippon - Part 3

The location offered silence and beauty so that the concentration and softness manifested in each strike, each orientation from Senpais or Sensei. My body does not let me forget what this Gashuku was all about: spirit renewal!

Diamond Moments at Nippon - Part 2

"The Diamond Moments were a invaluable gift.
Yesterday"s night, I reviewed the teachings with my family and, having finished it, I heard a comment saying: "imagine those teachings in Sensei"s voice!"...











... Though the diamonds shine less in our hands, they still transmit Sensei"s energy and wisdom, even after so many miles, so many hours of travel, it was still possible to bring home intact a part of its brilliance and energy."- Durval (Juiz de Fora Dojo, MG, Brazil)

Diamond Moments at Nippon – Part 1

While I was listening (and taking notes!) on that Diamond Moments I recognized that several times I was caught fitting on those profiles of “people that don’t reach progression” in the Way. I cannot say that was negative, because from that moment I could realize the issues I can – and shall – change in my life.

The point that really amazed me in this Gashuku (intensive practice) was the moment that I noticed how dedicated Sensei is with his disciples and students: no matter if he is teaching you the correct steps of a Iaijutsu Kata, or a correct position (kamae) during a Kenjutsu combat – it is, however, mainly showing us how the hidden details really matters and will really make the difference that you feel Sensei’s dedication.

Today I notice that after hiking up the Mountain to live side by side with the Master that this is the path I will follow on the Way of the Sword in order to become a better person and citizen.
Fontes (Porto Alegre Dojo, RS, Brazil)

Golden Moments - MELODY

September Gashuku

Yamato Day 2

"On the cold weather, emotions warmed the body. As Japanese descendent, I felt privileged to learn about my ancestors" (Teruo, from Ponta Grossa City, Paraná State, Brazil)

"This was my induction to a Yamato event and I felt honored and thankful to Sensei for sharing so many deep details about the Japanese culture with us from a Western culture. I try to consolidate the whole event in one single word: new. A lot of new information learned, and I felt renewed myself, over and over again" (Antunes, from Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil).























"I substituted anxiety by serenity, uncertainty by determination and a certain of will to keep learning more and more. These were the lessons that I learned in this event" (Botinhão, from Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil).

"During the practice sessions, all the details and secrets of each Kihon and Kata proved that Sensei is our true link with Japan. I was really missing this feeling of exhaustion at the end of the practice – an exhaustion over all body, but at no time at the mind and spirit.
Mind and spirit both were burning!" (Tengan, from Ana Rosa Dojo, at São Paulo City, São Paulo State, Brazil).

"The Kobudo is still entirely alive in Niten and we are studding old traditions with a Swordmaster that pushes us to go further and longer" (Saraiva, from the Ilha do Governador Dojo, Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil).

Yamato Day 1

"For sure, my ancestors went through many difficult situations in order to to create conditions that would benefit my generation, and it wouldn’t be fair to waste this favorable time or forget the past. Niten, in my opinion, has this role to show us the direction so we don’t lose our time, and in such event we have the opportunity to recover the memory of our people."
Suzuki (Ribeirão Preto)



"At the beginning of Jojutsu training, there´s tsune-no-kamae- the fortress of the everyday life: strengthen the day-to-day spirit"
Holschuh (Campinas)




"I felt that Yamato Day was very important, for telling a real situation and that, within the family of Japanese descendants, probably many of them has gone through several situations presented in the film." Nakano (Sorocaba)




"That’s what we´re searching for, inside the dojo and in life. To understand the Tansei in every action and refine the thought and spirit to live fully, with happiness, with real friendship."
Ivan (Juiz de Fora)






"I feel great to be a part of the Instituto Niten, fundamental space of society where the history and lessons learned never get lost."
Neubauer (Vila Mariana)






"As Sensei said in Brasilia: Strategist doesn’tt choose a weapon. This Gashuku was the opportunity to study less usual weapons and the katas, for us to give one more step on the Path that we chose to tread."
Erik (Brasília)




"Yamato Day was a true call to awareness. And the overwhelming need to seek the truth, even beyond our own convictions, as said Friedrich Nietzsche said, "convictions are more dangerous enemies to truth than lies”.
Barreto (Ana Rosa)




"I was seized by a dubious feeling of sadness, by the silent suffering of past generations who had to abandon their identity to survive, and at the same time I felt joy, knowing that in the Niten we redeemed this feeling under a new light, to nourish and strengthen the new generations."
Shindi (Curitiba)




"At the beginning of the day, Sensei told us about wasting life, and thanks to Niten, there’s a Golden Moment that marked me, The TADATI NI, I always try to rectify my spirit for now, because the winds always change."
Brígido (Rio de Janeiro)





"My jichan (grandfather) gave the pillow to the dog and kept himself sleeping in the rice sack. Good memories!
Domo arigatou gozaimashita Sensei, for helping us to understand a little bit better our ancestors."
Kiryu (Campinas)



Japanese surrender Flag in the Philippines

"Having the opportunity to live all this and still receive the "gift" from Sensei (the flag) is priceless."
Patrick (Brasilia)