Last week I hosted my instructor at my dojo, Sekiguchi Komei sensei, 21st head of the Yamauchi-ha line of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu. The seminar was excellent.  This was the first time I’ve hosted him at my dojo in Colorado.

We spent the first few days working on several detailed aspects of the Okuiai and Chuden kata, including proper foot placement, noto, and spirit.  Sekiguchi Sensei also took the opportunity to explain much of the history and reasoning behind the development of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu.

We spent a good portion of time working several of the Shoden kata, and various henka for them.  On the last day we worked all of the Nanhon Me no Kata (kumitachi), working both the shitachi and uchitachi roles.

During the training Sekiguchi sensei explained and stressed that Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu is not an art of killing, but rather an art of love and respect, and that every effort must be made to not kill or hurt another person.  Sensei explained that drawing a sword is a very serious thing and that once it has been drawn that you are responsible for the results of your actions.

Sekiguchi sensei also explained the importance of the Tosa clan and its history in regards to Yamauchi-ha Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu.  Sensei reinforced the fact that the Komei Jyuku (Sekiguchi sensei’s organization) is about family and the openness to share with others and to help spread the Japanese culture.  Sensei explained that the true purpose of his teaching of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu is to share and teach about traditional Japanese culture.

During one of the many conversations that took during dinner one evening, Sekiguchi sensei re-stated his view on the importance of passing on his teachings of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu (my own paraphrased translation):

“Budo is like a needle and thread. If I am the needle, then you, my deshi [students] are the thread. Together we can make something beautiful; if I have provided the correct guidance, and if together we have moved far enough along the path toward our goal, then when I pass away, you will understand enough to carry on and complete our goal.”

One of Sekiguchi sensei’s most senior students is Shimizu Nobuko, who is the 17th generation head of Jikiden Shinkage-ryu Naginatajutsu, and the founder of Ryoen-ryu Naginatajutsu.  Shimizu sensei is a wonderful teacher.  I very much enjoyed learning Naginatajutsu from her and will train very hard so that she will not be disappointed me or my students.  I can see the value of studying Naginata along side iaijutsu.  It increases the understanding of both arts by providing new views and insights in to Kobudo.  Things such as ma-ai, and hyoshi are very different.

We very long training sessions during the seminar:  A 9:00 AM I would arrive at the dojo with Sekiguchi sensei and Shimizu sensei.  We would have a private Iaijutsu training session from 9:00 AM till 11:00 AM.  At 11:15 AM we would start the general Iaijutsu sessions with my students (and a few students from a visiting dojo in Wyoming), and these would go until 1:00 or 1:30 PM.  We would break for lunch, and then at around 2:00 PM we would begin Naginatajutsu training with Shimizu sensei.  At around 4:00 to 4:30 PM we would break for dinner.  Finally, we would have an evening Iaijutsu session from around 6:00 PM till around 9:00 PM.

At the end of the week long seminar, Sekiguchi sensei asked me to serve as Shibucho (State representative) for Colorado for the Yamauchi-ha line of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu and for the Komei Jyuku.  While not feeling that I deserve such a position, I accepted.  Our dojo is now the third Shibucho dojo in the U.S. for our ryuha and for the Komei Jyuku:  The others are in Hawaii, and in Texas.

We host Sekiguchi sensei and Shimizu sensei twice annually here in the U.S. and my Colorado dojo will be a regular stop during these visits from now on.