"Straighten Up Your Ki"
These are the words from Sensei that I think of each time a Senpai comes to visit and train with our dojos here in the United States.
Even after the Senpai has moved on to the next step of their journey, I can see and feel the difference in myself as well as the other students. Our alignment is better.
It is not just in how straight we stand or the technique of our strikes, but instead it can be seen in the whole, how our dojo moves and trains together.
Of course, it takes a lot of work to make this difference; Kenzo-senpai"s visit was no exception!
We had only four full days to enjoy Kenzo senpai"s company and we made the most of it by training every day.
With his positive demeanor and boundless energy, Kenzo senpai worked us through exercises we knew as well as plenty of others we did not.
He demonstrated variations on techniques we had previously touched on and helped us to discover a better understanding of the sword.
During our intensive gashuku on Sunday, Kenzo-senpai also crossed swords with each of the students in shiai.
Of course, this gave them a taste of what awaits them in October, at the World Cup.
Our dojo has a lot of training ahead of ourselves to prepare, but we will bring a strong Kiai all the way from the USA to Brazil!
Arigatou gozaimashita Kenzo-senpai! Otsukare-sama deshita!
Gambarimasu!
Sayounara,
Thomas.
Mission Acomplished! That is my sentiment after this second Gashuku that I have ministrated in the Boulder Colorado Dojo. One year ago I was leaving Brazil to go on a Mission to improve myself and to help others. That misson took me to Miami, Orlando, Denver, Los Angeles and Japan. Now, with a lot of experiences to share, I came back to a new Boulder Dojo, with some new students, some students that kept practicing since the last time I was here and the always genki* Coordinator Thomas, but everyone a little different than before. (...) Continues (complete post) |
Mina-san, I wanted to take a moment to bring to you all, some very special moments I have lived over the last few weeks. First the Samurai Day, which marks a very meaningful day for all of us traveling the same Bushido Way. A way that has transformed myself and many others following Sensei Jorge Kishikawa´s steps. Second our Miami Dojo´s 1st anniversary with the official practices. Despite of our very short existence, a wonderful one year endeavor, crossing swords and lives, which you may not have perceived, but has pushed each one of us to a better self. I´m happy we could celebrate this one year awarding Juan Borrero as the Guardian of the Samurai Tradition in Weston. (...) Special reunion with Sensei and Colleagues Juan Borrero receives the Guardian of the Samurai Tradition Certificate Our Niten/Miami anniversary Continues (complete post) |
Superior Dojo was excited to host Senpai Wenzel Bohm, head administrator of the Niten Institute and recipient of the rank of Menkyo in Niten Ichi Ryu.
During the training, Senpai Wenzel challenged our dojo with activities that changed how we think about the sword, and demonstrated a level of technique we can only achieve with true dedication.
Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita to Senpai Wenzel for an amazing visit!
Senpai Thomas had spoken a lot about Senpai Wenzel weeks before his visit. After listening to what Senpai Thomas had said, I built an image of how Senpai Wenzel would be. However, I was quite surprised when I first saw Senpai Wenzel. Senpai Wenzel did not fit my mental image yet further observation revealed that he was indeed a true swordsman. The way he carried himself was the first sign of a trained mind, body, and spirit. (...) Continues (complete post) |
I am very grateful to Senpai Wenzel for taking the time to visit us and although short I feel we have learned so much with his visit. It is always a joy to welcome any of our Senpais and I continue to be amazed at their knowledge and wisdom. Senpai Wenzel´s visit had a very interesting energy, he was very relaxed and brought this energy into our practive. Senpai Wenzel showed us how there was no need to be tense all the time, he wielded his shinai with no effort. (...) Continues (complete post) |
Warmest way to close the winter in Florida! Morning keiko
Hi, My Name is Juan Borrero, I’m one of the members from the Niten Miami Unit/Squad. It is always a time of excitement to hear that Sensei Jorge Kishikawa, or one of our Sempai are coming to visit. The whole unit gets into this mode of training that it is difficult to represent into words. I simply summarize this as being within the aura of those that came before us. (...) Continues (complete post) |
Golden Moments - Sensei Jorge Kishikawa
The Bushido philosophy applied in our daily life.