Kihon Kenjutsu and Promotion Seminar

by Phil Scudieri Sensei

The Delaware Budokan hosted a fundamental or kihon kenjutsu seminar on November 19 2005 to introduce the sword arts to the members of the local community.  Half of the 30 participants were members of the kenjutsukai at the Delaware Budokan. Other participants came from other dojo and some were interested locals. The mudansha went to the outside training area for more advanced studies and to pass requirements for upcoming promotions. Inside the dojo, KIAI instructor Celinda Ellsworth and I introduced beginner students to basic postures, grip, and body movement. After certain techniques were acquired we went on to putting them into a kumitachi. This was exciting to the students because they got to experience a little of the intensity and skill required for this discipline. After a lunch break the beginner students worked on aiki related waza (techniques) and tanto (knife) waza. Outside, KIAI instructors William Messick and Thomas Johnson administered the testing requirements to the mudansha. In three and one half hours they executed 150 shohatsuto kata and 1700 cuts consecutively. At around 2:30 pm all the students came together for some exciting Chanbara and to review of the day’s efforts. When all was said and done: Chris Engle was promoted to sho kyu, and Roseanne Schneider, Martha Gano, Mark Dungan, Marcus Boyd, and Lon Montori were promoted to chu kyu. For a quarter century of training, competing, teaching, and Black Belt Excellence, KIAI Board of Advisor member and instructor Celinda Ellsworth was awarded the rank of Kyoshi (hachidan)

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