Tosa Eishin Ryu Iai-Jutsu Jikyo-Juku, Melbourne Dojo

Training today, Spring is around the corner and it is finally warming up here in Melbourne.
Our students are lucky to have multiple experienced sensei that teach from different perspectives, today Mig provided coaching of the waza Yaegaki. She has a great eye for detail.

My teacher once said to me "The sword does not care about your feelings". It was over 20 years ago, I think I had just done something stupid with a Shinken...

We talked for a while about how the sword provides instant feedback on technique and keeps our ego in check, sure to let the student know if they are getting ahead of themselves. The sword is not just a tool, or "military equipment", it is also our training partner. The sensei checks technique, the sword checks ego.

These shoto were gifts from our teachers, they come to every class, although I am untrained in their use I like having them around.

In koryu styles there are often no kyu grades, is our case we start grading at shodan. That does not mean that there are no milestones though. First lesson, first waza, first time a technical detail makes sense, etc.
Today was a beginners first time using an iaito. For them now techniques will begin to make sense as all the pieces fall into place. This is an important step and worth noting.

I would like to direct people to an interesting article published by Itten Dojo on the history of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu in the Tosa region. It is a great read. The historical photo showcases the first thing many notice about Mae performed in Yamauchi style.

The Chōsokabe of Tosa, the Yamauchi Succession, and the Embedding of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū

https://www.ittendojo.org/articles/political-impacts

www.ittendojo.org Prior to the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tosa Province on Shikoku was ruled by the Chōsokabe clan. Chōsokabe Motochika had risen during the Sengoku period to unify much of Shikoku before submitting to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1585 after the latter’s invasion; Hideyoshi allowed the clan to retain ...

Training today focused heavily on paired kata. Our beginners are drilling skills such as kesa-giri and timing. Hard work early on with fundamentals speeds up their progress in Iai no Kata, they are progressing rapidly now.
The seniors continue with Tsume Ai no Kurai. A good day!

Another varied class today. Beginners worked on skill development for Iai no Kata, while we prepared for our upcoming trip to our sister dojo in Sydney.
Here we are rehearsing Dai Sho Zume. This ancient series focuses on close quarter distance with taijutsu principles. Exciting, but punishing for Uchidachi. My turn next...

Training continues for our new students.
No amount of theory and solo waza can teach distance and timing as effectively as paired kata. A new student learns the realities of distance more clearly when they experience it themselves.
Here, our new student immediately sees his mistake when confronted with a real moving target. Although Uchidachi provides the environment for learning, she can only do so much!
Mastering the sword requires many years of training and development, and I am always impressed by those that commit their time to learn our ancient martial art. It is a revelation as a teacher to see new students make their own way down this road. Well done!

A cold morning in Melbourne, but enthusiasm is high. Today focused on fundamentals including distancing, timing for beginners and advanced, and kenjutsu techniques to prepare for Iai no Kata.

The concept of Maai can be difficult for beginners. How to teach the importance of correct distance with an imaginary opponent? In our dojo we start with a physical target and demonstrate the variations of technique required to create perfect distance. The technique changes depending on where the opponent is positioned, and leads to many variations of "correct" technique. This nuance needs to be understood, even at an early stage.

Today our recently returned seniors consolidated their Japan training on Tsume Ai No Kurai.
This ancient series really increases the complexity of distance, stance height and timing. Common threads are found throughout all of the Koryu kata, the longer we study the more commonality we find.