Living by the sword teaches peace
By Brian Williams, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

An ancient martial arts method employing sharp swords can be a key to personal peace.

At least Komei Sekiguchi, president of the Komei-Jyuku Iai-Do Association and 21st grandmaster of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu, the discipline featuring swords, believes it can.

Sekiguchi and another visitor from Japan, Nobuko Shimizu, engaged in an intricate choreography of bodies and swords this week at the Tokyo Restaurant before area martial artists.

Sekiguchi is an expert at Iaido, a martial arts component that dates back to the 16th century. His expertise dates back to the originator of the form, and he became interested in it for historical aspects and wants to spread it throughout the world.

He is visiting Lubbock for 10 days to spread the wisdom of the ancient practice, which he says represents personal peace more than violence.

Sekiguchi said working on the practice can get people together and give them a respite from busy lives.

He said he has been impressed with the people training under him.

"They don't use this weapon for destruction," Sekiguchi said through an interpreter. "They are using this as a tool to understand each other and give birth to new friendships and brotherhoods."

Shimizu, through an interpreter,

said she was impressed by the students' dedication to learning and eagerness to learn something from a different culture.

Walt Bushey, owner of the Katsujin Ryu Budokai (Life Giving Style Martial Arts Society), said the Iaido practice originated in the 1500s as a way for someone to draw a sword and cut in one move.

While self-defense is part of the practice, it's more about getting people together. Practitioners cut inanimate objects, he said.

"It's living history," Bushey said. "This is living history passed down, so it's guarded like a personal treasure. He's basically wanting us to keep his style going in Texas.

"You don't train with a sword just to cut people down," Bushey said. "The training is about improving yourself. The self-defense aspects are a side effect. It's a focal point of bringing people together. It's a lot deeper than American martial arts, which are sports-oriented."

Dave Robbins, a senior student at Bushey's school, was introduced to Sekiguchi by the grandmother of a fellow student while in Japan. He participated in a martial arts festival.

"You defeat the negative feeling in yourself so you can be a positive person," Robbins said.

Bushey said Sekiguchi's teaching involves courtesy and respect.

Sekiguchi said the tools used in Iaido can be incorporated into real-life situations.