From KTAYLOR@APS.UoGuelph.CA Thu Sep 8 15:24:11 1994 Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 09:18:50 EDT From: KIM TAYLOR To: kataylor@uoguelph.ca Subject: The Iaido Newsletter #48 August (1/2) THE IAIDO NEWSLETTER Volume 6 number 8, #48 AUG 1994 A publication of shared distribution. Send your stories, comments or announcements to Kim Taylor, Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1. (519)824-4120 ext 6225 FAX (519)836-9873 EMAIL: kataylor@uoguelph.ca Feel free to redistribute this newsletter, but as a whole please. PART 1/2 START *IAIDO NEWS* *NEW YORK CITY*: The *Japanese Swordsmanship Society* Iaido seminars: Sept 11, Nov 13. 10 AM to 1:30 PM, 43 White Street, 1st Floor between Breadway and Church Street New York. Jodo seminars: Aug 14, Oct 9, Dec 11. At the same location and times. $40.00. beginners welcome. (212)691-2891. *IAIDO SUMMER SCHOOL IN FINLAND AND SWEDEN* There will be an Iaido summer school by Takeda sensei (kyoshi 8 dan in Muso Shinden Ryu) in Helsinki, Finland from July 16th to July 21st. The Sensei will also visit Uppsala, Sweden where there will be lessons from July 27th to July 31st. Those who are interested should ask for detailed training schedual from: Pasi Hellsten, Luuvaniementie 4 D 126, FIN-00350 Helsinki Finland or Martin Agback, Djaknegatan 3, S-75423 Uppsala, Sweden. *THE INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION (KOKUSAI BUDOIN) MASTERS COURSE* October 8/9 1994 at Great Barr Leisure Centre, Birmingham England featuring Shizuya Sato 9dan Hanshi Jujutsu 8dan Hanshi Judo, Kazua Sakai 8dan Hanshi Wado-Ryu Karate and Keiji Tose 8dan Hanshi Iaido 2dan Kendo. 40 pounds per person for the weekend. (35 for IMAF members) For details contact Dave Wareing 154 Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham B33 8BT. FAX 0675 464210. *THE IMAF USA SEMINARS* will be held August 27/28 at Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino De Las Coches Carlesbad, Ca 92009. The seminars will feature Shizuya Sato 9dan Hanshi Jujutsu and Ikuo Higuchi 8dan Karatedo. There will be one clinic for Iaido, 11:45-1:00 Saturday August 27. $150 for the weekend ($135 for members). Further information from Paul Godshaw (714)859-1038 or Norm Berlsterling (619)436-1090. *YAN DE HAAN* is leading a summer camp the 12 to 17th of August at Asahi Union Budokan Austria, (Erwin Steinhauser President) Hallenbad, Karl Metzgasse 1a, Tullin Austria Tel 02272/4280. The camp features Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and Shiatsu. Contact Erwin Steinhauser Wehlistrabe 160-162/1/7, A-1020 Wien, Austria. Tel 0222 / 2162085. *1995 EUROPEAN TAIKAI AND SEMINAR* Keith Hazelwood, membership secretary of the BKA announces the European Iaido Taikai in Warwick England. Aug 14-17: Joint Muso Shinden, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu seminars. Aug 18: Referee's seminar. Aug 19: Taikai. Aug 20: Grading, possibly to 5th dan. Head instructors will be Eshido Sensei (Senior and Junior, Muso Shinden Ryu), Matsuo Haruna Sensei and Masakazu Oshita Sensei (Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu). *CONTACT LIST UPDATE* Our west coast distributor Mr. *Robert Stroud* has a new zip code, he is now at 97008, not 97005. *Dragon Books* has moved, the new address is 870 Hampshire Rd. Suite C. Westlake Village CA 91361 Tel. (805)371-6222 & 6223 FAX (805)371-6224. *CALL FOR INFORMATION* from Tom Lang, Cleveland Ohio. email langt@ccsmtp.ccf.org I'm trying to learn something about a Mr. Jiyukichi Yamatsuta, who may have taught Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido in Seattle in the 50s and 60s. He may have been a 9th dan in Kendo and Iaido, and may have been a student of, or studied with Nakayama Hakudo. His actual rank may have been in Omori Ryu Iaido. I don't know what his political affiliations, martial arts wise, might have been. *KENDO PRACTICE WITHOUT BOUGU - ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE* by "Kazimir" PART III - DRILLS Here are a few drills that our club finds useful in instructing basic technique. You've probably seen some or all of them, however I present them here with the hope that they will be useful. One Breath Men Have a partner offer a target as normal. Attack men and go through, turn around and attack men again, all in one breath. When doing one breath men, the kiai should be continuous with "spikes" at the actual attacks. "ME!eeeeeeeeeeeenME!eeeeeeeeeen". After you've done two, which is pretty easy, try three, then four. You should be able to do six with practice. Leapfrog Men With a group of people, stand in a large circle around the perimeter of the dojo. Have everyone offer a men target. It works best to offer the one to the side (to the inside of the circle) as opposed to over head. The person at the start of the circle then attacks men on each of the targets. As he passes his first target, that person turns and begins to attack the targets. As the second person passes his first target, that person turns and starts to attack and so forth. As each person finishes all the targets, he stops and offers a target again. This is called "leapfrog men". You can also do leapfrog kote and leapfrog do, by changing the targets, or leapfrog kote men, by having every second target change. Leapfrog kote men is difficult to organize, though. When doing the leapfrog practice, it is important to make every attack correct. Make sure there is enough space between each person to give the attacker time to get organized. There is a natural tendency to go too fast. Make sure each person goes slowly, especially at first. Make sure the technique is correct before attempting to go fast. Repeated attacks Have a partner offer a men target. Then have him move backwards across the dojo at a good clip. He should use the kendo step - that is his practice. Then follow him and attack men every third step or so. Make sure that the foot, voice and shinai are together. Try to keep the speed constant, neither slowing down or speeding up at any point, especially before or after the attack. You will need a correct hip and step to do this correctly. Wrist Flexibility and Snap Stand normally. Hold your shinai in one hand with your arm straight out. Swing the shinai around in large circles with only wrist motion. Use a normal kendo grip, and don't let it get loose. Keep your pinky and ring fingers tight. Switch hands and loosen up the other one. Then grab the shinai with both hands together on the handle and swing it around some more. Again, wrist motion only - don't bend your elbow or move your arms. Holding the shinai in one hand with the arm straight out, make 20 one-handed cuts to a medium-fast count. Make sure the shinai comes up beside your ear, and that the wrist is flexed forward at full extension. Use only wrist motion. Switch hands and do 20 more. Have a partner hold a shinai horizontally at the height of the kote target. Standing in chudan, tap his shinai with yours. Keep the right hand perfectly still and have it act as a fulcrum. Use your left hand to make the motion. Make a big motion at first - the tip of the shinai should be rising to about head height before coming down again. After you've worked with a big motion for a while, try a smaller motion. Make sure that your grip is correct, and that your hands do not open as you swing the shinai. Make sure that your left hand motion is entirely straight up and down. Leapfrog for small attacks The leapfrog drill works as well for small attacks as it does for big ones. A variation on the leapfrog drill is to arrange all the targets in a straight line. Have the people offer kote or men, their choice. The result should be a fairly random array of targets, avoiding any pattern like continuous kote men. The people should be close enough so that an attack is forced at each step. Then the attacker blazes through the line using small techniques on each target. The object is to get a smooth movement at constant speed, while maintaining ki-ken-tai-no-ichi for each attack. After the attacker has gone all the way through, the line shifts one place and he takes his place at the end of the line. The person who was at the beginning of the line becomes the attacker. Continuous small attacks The "follow the target" drill also works for small attacks. You can make it tougher by having the attacker attack on each step, and the defender raise his shinai up and down to offer kote and men alternately. A good attacker can make this a tough drill for the defender, as keeping up to someone moving forward at full speed is a tough job. Kakari-geiko Kakari-geiko is an attacking practice that is the lead-in to free practice. The instructor offers openings to the student and the student attacks those openings. Normally, the instructor will wear bougu and the student will attack the points on the bougu. This practice can be modified for use without bougu. Both players start by taking chudan-no-kamae. Then the defender begins to offer targets. The first and last targets are always men. In between, the targets can be any one of kote, do or men. For beginners, the attacks should always be big. When first beginning kakari-geiko, the student should concentrate on getting used to the exercise and making each attack correctly. As the student gets better and better, he can make faster attacks. He should _generally_ not go so fast that the attack is not correct, although the instructor may choose to demand speed for other reasons and temporarily ignore any lapse in technique that may occur. Any number of variations on the practice can be made. One common one for beginners is to make the sequence of attacks always the same. Another is to limit the exercise to five or six attacks and demand that they be completed in one breath. Kakari-geiko is over when the defender says it is - he should offer the men target and when the attack is complete yell "yame". Often the defender will tap the attacker on the do (or torso if no bougu) with one hand as he goes through on the last attack to indicate it is over. At higher levels of practice, the sensei expects the attacker to put out maximum effort. If the attacker is perceived as slacking off, that command to stop may be a long time coming. So always try your best in kakari-geiko. *KAJIHARA KOTOKEN VISITS BUFFALO* by Doug Blue and Kim Taylor Many sword collectors will be familiar with the name Kajihara Kotoken. This master sword polisher visited the Buffalo Hilton hotel in Cheektowaga New York early this year at the invitation of Mr. Hiroaki Kimura of S&P Budo to demonstrate his sword skill, and offer his expert advice and appraisal skills to the local sword collecting community. Kajihara sensei has spent more than 40 years as a sword polisher and during his career was surprised to learn just how many Japanese swords existed outside Japan. As a result he began to pay attention to these swords and now has a reputation as being the only master polisher in Japan to cater to foreigners. About 30% of his business now comes from overseas. [Actually, there are other top quality polishers who have clients in the west, notably Kentaro Yoshikawa (the current head of NTHK, and curator of the Imperial sword collection) and Oi Fujishiro. There are also many polishers of lesser skill available.] Kajihara sensei has traveled to Brazil, Australia, France, England and the USA lecturing on metallurgy and swords. He has also had about 20 apprentices including two from France, and has hosted many sword groups from overseas. He praises the knowledge of westerners, saying they often know more about the manners and customs of handling the sword than the Japanese do. He also notes the Chicago sword convention hosts 2000 enthusiasts yearly while Japan's largest meeting attracts only 500. [In fact since 1989, the annual Chicago Token Kai show has had approximately 100 table holders and perhaps 500-750 enthusiasts through the gate. Nevertheless the event is very well received.] In his continuing efforts to educate about the sword, Kajihara sensei spent a decade writing "Swords of Japan: a visual glossary". The two-volume set contains 2000 photographs and illustrations on all aspects of sword appreciation. An English language glossary is included with the text. The encyclopedia costs 45,000 yen and can be ordered directly from Kajihara Kotoken at 1-18 Josei 3-chome, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka. In the USA the set is available from Paul A. Couch/Yumiko Matsuoka, 507 Kenilworth Dr. Birmingham Alabama 35209. Phone (205)879-2606 or (205)942-1479. Kajihara sensei is not only an appreciator and polisher of swords, he is also the head of the Kotoken Ryu, the "short-draw" school of swordsmanship. The name Kotoken was given to Kajihara sensei's father by the Imperial family and will be handed on to his son Yoshihiko who is apprenticing him. Kotoken Ryu includes the practice of tameshigiri and Kajihara sensei demonstrated the art in Cheektowaga. Yoshihiko now teaches swordsmanship while his father concentrates on sword polishing. There are about 50 sword students in Fukuoka and plans for expansion to several branch dojo are underway. The school incorporates a lot of meditation and concentration, and several electronics companies have expressed interest on behalf of their employees. Kajihara sensei says his next research project is to trace the "iron road", the route the sword came from the continent through Korea to Japan. Like the car and the camera, when this new technology reached Japan it hit "the end of the road". The Japanese then improved on the original swords and came up with the present day masterpiece. Much of the above background material came from articles in "The Imperial" (Jay Wesley, 1992) and "The Japan Times" (John Storey). Doug Blue and Chris Sly, members of the Rochester Sword Study Group, put a few questions to Mr. Kajihara during his visit, and Mr. Kimura kindly supplied the translation. Doug Blue: How many swords were presented to and discussed by Kajihara sensei? Kajihara Kotoken: There were 102 swords presented, of these 12 were judged to be gimei (false or forged signature) and 49 were judged to be genuine. DB: How many swords recieved kanteisho (written appraisal-opinion "papers") and how many received sayagaki? [Sayagaki is a written opinion actually done in ink on the shirasaya (storage scabbard) of the sword in question. Most often it is a simple statement as to the swordsmith, owner, polisher, date etc.] KK: 55 swords received kanteisho and 9 received sayagaki. DB: What was Mr. Kajihara's favourite sword of those presented? KK: Regardless of whether these swords were high class or low, each sword has its own appeal. I enjoyed all the swords presented. DB: What was Mr. Kajihara's opinion as to the most important sword presented? KK: I'd rather not say. DB: How many swords will be taken to Japan for polishing? KK: Six. DB: And how many hours did Mr. Kajihara spend judging swords over the two days? KK: Fourteen hours in total. DB: Is there a possibility of another such shinsa (judging) in the future? KK: That is undecided for now but I would like to have another one as long as I remain healthy. DB: In the tameshigiri demonstration that Mr. Kajihara presented before 110 people, what type of material was cut? KK: The bundles of matting are called "goza" in Japanese. DB: How did Mr. Kajihara like being in Buffalo? KK: I liked the people I met. I believe that the human being is the best of all created arts and that is worth more than the swords or other things like painting. DB: Overall how did Mr. Kajihara view the weekend? Was he pleased with the number of swords and the attendance at the demonstration? KK: I could not prepare well enough for these events and caused a lot of trouble for Mr. Kimura. The number of swords and the number of people attending the demonstration was more than expected. I appreciate Mr. Kimura's efforts. A baby picks up a toy each time is new each time is special Pick up your sword PART 1/2 ENDS ********************************************************************** Kim Taylor * email ktaylor@aps.uoguelph.ca Dept. Animal Science * Tel (519)824-4120 ext 6225 University of Guelph * FAX (519)836-9873 Guelph, Ontario * alt email kataylor@uoguelph.ca Canada N1G 2W1 * So you still can't find me....good ********************************************************************** What's all this about my opinions and the opinions of the U. of Guelph? You mean someone actually listens to what I say??? ********************************************************************** From KTAYLOR@APS.UoGuelph.CA Thu Sep 8 15:24:18 1994 Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 09:20:24 EDT From: KIM TAYLOR To: kataylor@uoguelph.ca Subject: The Iaido Newsletter #48 August (2/2) THE IAIDO NEWSLETTER Volume 6 number 7, #47 JULY 1994 A publication of shared distribution. Send your stories, comments or announcements to Kim Taylor, Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1. (519)824-4120 ext 6225 FAX (519)836-9873 EMAIL: kataylor@uoguelph.ca Feel free to redistribute this newsletter, but as a whole please. PART 2/2 START *HOW DIFFERENT IS JAPAN?* by Colin Watkin Most budoka have a yen (pardon the pun) to go to Japan at some time in their lives, to broaden their knowledge of the arts and to try to relate them to the Japanese way of life. Going is of course dependant on one's family and financial situation. For those who have this opportunity, what should we expect and what is expected of us. I should start by saying that my title "How Different" is the uppermost thought in everyone's mind but at the same time it should be the last! For many, going to Japan is a dream come true. However, one has to step off the dream cloud to the reality that we are all human beings, and that the main differences are those of character, not of nationality. If my words appear to be a little harsh, it's because sadly I have seen so many people arrive here, and return thinking that certain people's peculiarities were "because they are Japanese". It is possible to live in Japan and at the same time be outside its culture. It seems that in some cases only a personal involvement of some kind will dispel the train of thought that the Japanese are so different. JAPANESE LANGUAGE: Not being able to understand the language can be a tremendous drawback. Poor communication sometimes leads one to false conclusions. The history of martial arts and a lot of the language used to describe it goes back to chinese kanji (calligraphy) and is deep in meaning. For example the word keiko (practice/study) is translated as "to plant a seed". As opposed to "the pen is mightier than the sword" the Japanese saying is Bunbu Ichi (pen and sword in accord). We see communication problems all too many times in the west. A student not able to understand will simply copy their visiting sensei's actions. Then, on watching another sensei do things differently will assume that things have changed. Japanese, unlike other languages is politely suggestive and cautious, aimed at consensus rather than sharp clarification. To the foreigner with a limited amount of time in Japan wishing to acquire precise knowledge, this is indeed a frustrating problem. Two percent of Japanese (not the same 2%) use a wooden bath, eat peanut butter, and practice what is generally considered to be a sportlike activity called Kakutogi (combat techniques) which encompasses Kendo and Judo. With its warlike connotation the original word "budo" has not been used for some time in connection with education. At the end of the war General MacArthur wrote a letter to Japan's then Prime Minister Yoshida which said that it was the decision of the occupying forces that the practice of "all Martial Arts should be suspended forthwith", and that they would possibly be reintroduced at a later date based on the "individual merits of each art". This process took seven years. Nowadays Budo has little meaning in a country that is so preoccupied with copying the West. Going to Japan and seeing a country that looks "more western" than the west is one's biggest "culture shock". This preoccupation will cause Japanese people to completely drop their busy schedules to entertain what are respectfully known as gaijin (outsiders). ENTERTAINING: Going as a guest to Japan is an important subject to touch on. The Japanese as people are no different but the system is! They communicate from a series of bubbles. The main bubble and innermost sanctum is the family. Next comes osananajimi (early childhood freinds). These bonds develop even further should people have other things in common, going to school together, work etc. The outer bubble is acquaintances, business contacts and other associations. These bubbles are distinctly separate, gently bouncing off each other, sometimes joining together and Japanese people are at ease with this system. As in the dojo, newcomers usually enter from the bottom of the hierarchy until their position is established. The visitor then is in their outer bubble. Sometimes visitors are entertained at home, but this is purely for their curiosity value. For the same reason, they may want to visit you! However, most Japanese prefer to meet out. RELATIONSHIPS: The Japanese family would perhaps be considered to be very old fashioned compared to the West. Of course this depends upon the way one has been brought up and the standards one sets for oneself. Do as I say, not as I do, is usually the regimen. Younger members of most families, particularly women, have mongen (lockup time). In saying youngest, I mean if the youngest daughter is 40, this rule will still apply. If one wishes to do one's own thing, the answer is to make a separate home. The foreign visitor is indeed fortunate if being given a homestay for a long period. However, be warned that you will possibly be accepted into the home as the "junior member" with limitations on where you go, who you meet, what time you come back. Most people who have the finances to go to Japan don't have any close family ties. The purpose in going is to study Martial Arts. However, with so many unattached pretty girls it is all too easy to get sidetracked. For this reason I should perhaps touch on this facet of relationships. According to Japanese tradition, the eldest son or daughter of a family is expected to live with and look after their parents when they get older. For this reason many people do not marry, as their first responsibility lies with their family. Further to this, as parents want some say in who their child will wed, many marriages are partially arranged with a view to securing the future of all concerned. Nowadays some Japanese people themselves are finding this system somewhat constrictive. Japanese use the grand name of Kokusai Kekkon (international marriage) for a mixed race marriage. However be warned that friendly Japanese people are a fiercely proud race who are naturally not keen on mixing things too much! VISAS: Japan has drawn vast numbers of people from poorer neighbouring countries. A lot unable to acquire work permits have been entering and working with Holiday Visas. This has forced Immigration to tighten its conditions of entry to Japan, and has undoubtedly made it harder for anyone wishing to stay and study. The generqal rule now is that you should acquire a Visa "before coming", stating your reasons for wanting to come. Also, it's necessary to find a qualified martial arts teacher in Japan who will take you into their dojo. Diplomatic rules between countries do vary, and people holding passports of other Asian countries could find it more difficult. To sum up, one could liken one's first visit to Japan to entering a dojo for the first time. Continued visits over a period of time will eventually allow you to form your own bubble and drift into warm and lasting friendships and associations and gain valuable experience in the sword arts. *MEDIA WATCH* *FURYU: The budo magazine of classical Japanese martial arts and culture* Spring '94 Vol 1 #1. Tengu Press 1662 Lewalani Dr. #303, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA. Bimonthly, $30 US per year, International $35 US. Wayne Muromoto is the editor of this new publication and with the exception of two articles he wrote the whole damn thing too. The stated aim of the magazine is to provide readable, enjoyable articles about the elegant, classical, time-honoured and historical aspects of traditional Japanese martial arts. In other words, don't look for the latest ninja gossip or worlds most deadliest bestest martial art. If the first issue is any indication, Wayne might be onto a good thing, and he might be surprised at how well it catches on. He says that the first issue may actually pay for itself, which is, in fact, almost unheard of in the magazine business. Articles include an item by Dave Lowry, Aikido's Henry Eto, Martial Arts Etiquette, how to pick a dojo for your child, Hontai Yoshin-Ryu Jujutsu by Stephen Fabian, a translation of Musashi's Dokkodo and several more. The Newsletter is recommending that its readership give this magazine a try, send Wayne $6 US and he'll send you the first issue or just trust me, subscribe for a year, make everyone happy, encourage issue 2. Tell 'em we sent ya. -KT *THE US NAGINATA FEDERATION NEWS* is a three page newsletter for those interested in, surprisingly enough, Naginata. I see that regional reps for this federation include a couple of familiar names in Kendo and Iaido circles. The address is USNF, PO box 3424 Torrance CA 90503 USA. -KT The *SHAMBHALA SPRING 1994 CATALOGUE* is out and includes new book listings such as Thomas Cleary's "The Human Element: a course in resourceful thinking" (where does this guy get the time?), Norman Waddell's translation of "The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin", "Zen Letters: Teachings of Yuanwu" by Cleary and Cleary (there he is again), "The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion" "The Book of Five Rings" Thomas Cleary trans. (one more!) and several others. Write to Shambhala Publications, Inc. PO box 308 Boston, Massachusetts 02117-0308. Now if they'd only send us a few books to review. -KT *KRIS CUTLERY* sent along its catalogue of swords and daggers. This company obviously deals mainly with the Society for Creative Anachronism folks but on the back cover they have some "Japanese blades". The Katana is 26" long and has a makassar ebony handle that tapers toward the back. At $155 you might want to try it for whacking at pumpkins but it may have limited use as an Iaido blade. 2314 Monte Verde Dr. Pinole, CA 94564. FAX (510)223-8968. Tel: (510)758-9912. -KT *WHITE WIND ZEN COMMUNITY* PO box 203, Stn. A, Ottawa Ontario K1N 8V2 Canada. A four page newsletter dealing with their zendo and associated groups. -KT *KOKUSAI BUDOIN USA: western news bulletin - spring 1994* 6073 Arlington Blvd, Richmond CA 94805. This is another four page newsletter that includes a rather good article by H.E. Davey dealing with Budo and the Mind as well as an explanation of honorific terms. -KT *BUGEI TRADING COMPANY* has their second catalogue out with lots of great stuff, including their swords and sword fittings. Swords now run $13 and inch and they will do custom orders. The swords are stamped from 1050 steel and "clay tempered" to give a real hamon. There's lots of other neat stuff in the catalogue, call 1- 800-437-0125 (works from Canada too) or write them at 3790 Manchester Ave. Encinitas CA 92024-4935 USA for a copy. -KT *JOUNAL OF ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS 3:2 1994* Via Media Publishing, 821 West 24th St. Erie PA 16502 USA. By now everyone should know my opinions on this journal. You should all subscribe, it's $55 for TWO YEARS (eight issues, 120 pages each), a little more outside the USA. This issue contains scholarly articles on research in martial sports, the Katori Shinto Ryu, Karate, an ancient Korean Martial Arts manual, a history of Fillipino escrima, book reviews, media reviews and lots of other good stuff. -KT ************** Editor's Note: There has been some difficulty with the political organization of Iaido in the UK. We present here the two opposing viewpoints in their own words. For lack of a better system, the letters are printed in the order in which they were received. KT ************** *WHAT IS MUSASHI(UK)?* That's a good question and here's an honest answer: Musashi(UK) is NOT an association, nor has it been set up to compete with any association. Musashi(UK) is not unlike other groups in the UK such as Kenseikai or Eishinkan, whose sole purpose is the advancement of knowledge via seminars and advice. Indeed, following the tradition established by Eishinkan and Kenseikai, we have sought to organize open seminars. In our case to provide instruction in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, at a time when no other venue was available in the UK. Our invited instructors impart their knowledge in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect. We do not make elitist cliques, or run "secret" sessions where only a select few are welcome. On our seminars, everyone's opinion is valid, we do not operate a grade Apartheid or withold information from any of our friends. Here we make the distinction between members and friends, in Musashi(UK) we are friends first and foremost. You could call us a group, but we are a group that has no leader, and no committee, we all have our say, and the decisions we make are democratic. That's the way we started, because, over many years a substantial number of people, all members of the British Kendo Association, have felt left out of things, felt unhappy at their treatment at events, and worse, the disrespect with which our senior senseis have been treated at these events. We wish to make known our own achievements, because at present, there are plenty who would like to see us silenced forever. Musashi(UK) has organized one of the cheapest and successful seminars with Japanese sensei yet held in the UK... We'll send you the accounts if you don't believe us!! And, not only did we fully finance this seminar, we also raised 500 pounds for Charity. So, what's wrong with that, is the pursuit of excellence a thing to be shunned? Is friendship and forging of long lasting relationships a bad thing? Well just answer that one yourself. At the present time, four of our friends, members of Musashi(UK) are suspended from the BKA, under threat of being expelled subject to an appeal. Their alleged offence is an alleged violation of the Constitution of the BKA in Bylaw no. 4. The first sight, or knowledge that any regular member of the BKA or for that matter the four suspended members had was in the BKA newsletter, published and distributed some months after the alleged offence and the suspension. Indeed repeated requests for sight of the Constitution or Bylaw no. 4 have met with silence from both the BKA's Chairman and Executive Committee. For those of you interested in natural justice, Bylaw 4 was introduced hurriedly some fourteen days before the alleged contravention of that bylaw. We in Musashi(UK), who are not currently under suspension think this is both ethically and morally suspect. This point about justice and democracy goes further, senior members of the BKA have threatened to make it difficult for Japanese ZNKR instructors to come and teach on Musashi(UK) organized seminars. Where's the sense in that? Despite the difficulties with the BKA, we are still planning and organizing seminars and events. There is already a full year's worth of monthly events ranging from Martial Arts first aid, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ coaching awards) seminars and of course, what we are all about, Iai practice and friendship. So what about the BKA? We don't have any quarrel with the BKA, indeed we cannot understand the antagonism that the BKA executive committee has towards us. No one is breaking away from the BKA, but if the BKA continues to introduce bylaws to expel people every time someone does something the ruling clique disagrees with, then it seems that they will create the very thing they purport to want to aviod. Although we have not advertised, our numbers are growing rapidly, in just one year, we have half the number that the BKA Iaido has managed to get after many years in existance. It clearly meets a need not being met elsewhere... Maybe that's what it's all about... being successful. MUSASHI(UK) IS HERE TO STAY It took us some time to come to the final form of this letter, and we all had our say, thank you for taking the time to read it. If you want more information about anything stated here, please contact Don Harvey, Secretary Musashi(UK), 81 Sandcliffe Road, Midway, Swadlincote. Derbyshire, England. DE11 7PH. *THE BRITISH KENDO ASSOCIATION* Ref: Suspensions and expulsions from the BKA. Over a year ago there came to light dissension within the membership of the Iaido Bu. Bad communications had led to a feeling of a North / South divide and a "them and us" situation with regard to the Muso Shinden and Muso Jikiden Eishin Schools. A meeting was held in the North so that these issues could be raised and discussed between those concerned together with the 1993 Iai Bu Executive and myself. During the meeting the possibility of the formation of a breakaway group was also discussed. My opening remarks on this subject to that assembly were "Should any members split and start another group and not settle the dissension through the correct channels (for example at the AGM) then I would do all in my power to protect our Association. If necessary I would go as far as removing people's grades, not only from our own records, but also from the records of the E.K.F., I.K.F. and the Z.N.K.R." Correspondence passed backwards and forwards and towards the end of last year I was led to understand that things had got a lot better and that people would attend the AGM and air their views and if still not satisfied they would have the opportunity to elect representatives who would do the job more to their liking. As it happened the AGM passed without any major areas of disagreement being raised from the floor. Another large bone of contention raised at the meeting in the North was the list of Grading Panellists. We as an Association were asked by the E.K.F. to produce a list of those we considered should be our representatives on National and International Grading Panels. A draft list was produced. This initial list from the Iaido and Jodo Bu caused much criticism and clearly needed re-evaluation. A final criteria was established and examinations (which became part of the criteria) were held for those who wished to be part of the new scheme. Never-the-less some people still disagreed with the need to take part in examinations in order to be on a panel. During this time of unrest "Musashi U.K." became more formally organized. It started off as a self help group with Don Harvey as its Secretary. Thus all correspondance, phone calls and discussions between Musashi U.K. and the B.K.A. took place via Don and the Executive. Some of the Musashi U.K. group were not members of the B.K.A. We hoped that they would join at a later date and thus avail themselves of all the advantages of being in the B.K.A. including the benefits of insurance cover. I must add that Musashi U.K. is not connected with the possible break away group mentioned earlier and that it saw itself as a self-help group within the B.K.A. The next stage of development seems to be the Musashi Group setting up its own grading system with its own syllabus. They felt that they were only "Club" gradings but the system went up to 4th Dan and included open gradings. The B.K.A. Executive were totally against this alternative grading system. It was wrong in principle and was against the constitution of the B.K.A. and of the Z.N.K.R. Earlier Musashi U.K. correspondence led the Executive to believe that if a B.K.A. Grading could be arranged for the Oshita Sensei Seminar then there would be no need for a Musashi U.K. Grading and that all previous concerns would be at an end. Jikiden senior grades were rushed through the grading panel exams and an official B.K.A. Grading with Oshita Sensei at its head was arranged. Nobody applied for the B.K.A. Grading and on hearing that the Musashi U.K. Grading was going ahead the Executive made the constitution even more clear by rewriting Bylaw 4. The members of the B.K.A. Grading panel that was to be under Oshita Sensei were informed of this clarification. Still the Musashi U.K. Grading went ahead. Obviously Oshita Sensei wanted nothing to do with the grading and left the building. Haruna Sensei and Oshita Sensei are against alternative grading systems. They wish to follow the rules of the I.K.F. and the Z.N.K.R. as does the B.K.A. Following this Musashi U.K. Grading the four members of the panel faced temporary suspension with leave to appeal as written in the constitution. The people involved with the above gradings were issued suspension notices on 31st March 1994. They had 21 days in which to appeal. We received only one! I put off the Executive Committee Meeting until 12th June 1994, (well after the timetable set) because I had heard that Haruna Sensei had written to Don Harvey stating the consequences of his action. Don has still decided to go his own way. What has Budo really taught him? To ignore his own sensei, who has put on loan the name of his own dojo? You can answer that question yourself. Having received no appeal from three of the members they have virtually exculded themselves. It is most regrettable that from 12th June 1994 the following persons are expelled from the British Kendo Association and that their grades are removed. The three concerned are Mr. D. Harvey, Mr. N. Kemp and Mr. R. Dangerfield. Letters to this effect are being sent to all Directors of the I.K.F. and the E.K.F. It is a step that I did not wish to take. However the die is now cast. It is pleasing to announce that one appeal was upheld subject to his acceptance of the B.K.A. Constitution. Obviously all Jikiden members and all Musashi U.K. members are not in agreememt with everything that has gone on in their name. I am sure that everyone deplores the unsigned personal attacks on individual members made by Musashi U.K. Hopefully communications will improve and all other problems will be overcome. We look forward to Haruna Sensei's Seminar in Birmingham and next year's combined seminar in England. About two dozen letters and pieces of correspondence together with half a dozen phone calls log the development of these issues from last year onwards. Whilst they will not be photocopied, the letters are available for inspection. John Howell, Chairman, B.K.A. *THE MARTIAL ARTIST'S BOOK OF FIVE RINGS: The definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's classic book on strategy.* by "Hanshi" Steve Kaufman, 1994 Charles E. Tuttle Co. Boston. What should have crossed my mind before I picked up this book and paid for it was the fact that the author was misusing the title hanshi. This alone should have compelled me to take a closer look at what was in the interior. In this age of the "Shihans" and "Sokes" I should have expected that sooner or later one of these great masters would take a little time out of their Tae Kwon Do / Kempo / Ju-Jitsu / JKD class and do a little light reading. While intellectually I know that the three past translations of The Book of Five Rings were not translated by followers of the Niten Ichi Ryu, but rather by scholars - some of which were and may continue to be, followers of the modern Budo; I, nonetheless, fell into the trap of believing that a better, clearer translation of my beloved book had come to print. The preface, which was all I read in the book store, gave me the impression that this version of the Go Rin No Sho would be faithful to the martial theme of this manual of strategy, where other translations had strayed. In fact, I'm sure its bashing of the other three translations was probably the selling argument that helped persuade Tuttle to publish the book. After reading Mr. Kaufman's book I have to say that I have my doubts if he actually translated the original Go Rin Sho from Japanese. The reasons for my doubt do not lie in the way Mr. Kaufman's version is laid out, nor in the wording he uses, but in his simple lack of preciseness in explaining concepts, his glossing over of whole sections of the book, and his constant unannounced interjections (by which he mostly tries to equate Musashi's Kenjutsu to Karate) that could persuade the unacquainted reader that Musashi was a Karate instructor and not a swordsman. Since Kaufman does not give a bibliographical listing of the other translations, I have to give him the benefit of doubt and simply conclude that this ham-handed translation is in fact entirely his own work. I cannot say I am a master at understanding Musashi's heiho. I cannot even say that I can read his book in the original Japanese, much as I'd like to. I can say that I spent $12.95 plus tax (US) for this book with the hope of unlocking some of the mysteries that continue to elude me in Musashi's work. What I got was a mediocre "translation" with undifferentiated translator comments written by a man who does not seem to realize that Japanese grammer is such that the title goes at the end of a name, not the beginning. So Mr. Kaufman, if you're reading this, your name should be written Kaufman Steve Hanshi or Kaufman Hanshi, not Hanshi Steve Kaufman. In concluding this review I would like to say that as far as my own opinion goes, I still feel you cannot go wrong if you buy The Book of Five Rings translated by Nihon Services, and published by Bantam Books. That translation if nothing else gives you the exact Japanese words that Musashi used, like "heiho" (strategy) and "chi no maki" (Earth book). Reviewed by Victor Figueroa Jr. PART 2/2 ENDS ********************************************************************** Kim Taylor * email ktaylor@aps.uoguelph.ca Dept. Animal Science * Tel (519)824-4120 ext 6225 University of Guelph * FAX (519)836-9873 Guelph, Ontario * alt email kataylor@uoguelph.ca Canada N1G 2W1 * So you still can't find me....good ********************************************************************** What's all this about my opinions and the opinions of the U. of Guelph? You mean someone actually listens to what I say??? **********************************************************************