News

New membership secretary

Due to Colin preparing to migrate following retirement, Martin Simpson is kindly stepping in as membership secretary. Contact details for future membership applications and renewals can be found on the Membership page.

Nishmoto sensei confirmed as 2013 Summer seminar instructor

This year we are fortunate to have Nishimoto sensei visit us to teach at the Summer seminar (to be held in Nottingham).

See the events page for further information on the seminar

Nottingham Seminar 5-6 Feb 2011 report

Nottingham Seminar 5-6/2/2011

I heard that Saturday was a tough day's training with all participants doing Seiza no bu 9 times which equates to 99 Waza, one for each year of Iwata Senseis life. I think this was a fitting tribute and one Iwata Sensei would certainly have approved of being the task master that he was. I can't really comment on the day unfortunately because I was unable to attend.

Sunday began with a short warm-up, Kiritsuki, Nukitsuki kihon and standing mae as kihon lead by Gra Murray of Seirokan Nottingham. John Donaldson then lead us through several cycles of Seiza no bu, I think it was 5 but I was too busy trying to keep up to count. We then began doing Tatehiza no bu, I presume up to the waza they had gotten to the previous day as some of the participants hadn't done Tatehiza before. John demonstrated the next waza in the sequence and then we all did several repetitions on command while he walked between people and gave advice where needed. My turn, and posture, on takeotoshi wasn't very good as I was twisting my rear foot around as I drew the sword. Then John again took us through Tatehiza no bu up to and including the waza that had just been shown. We carried on this way until we had completed all of the Tatehiza no bu forms so we got quite a workout. It had me sweating and I ache today too, thanks John ;)

I can't actually remember whether we took lunch before we completed Tatehiza no bu.. It's all a bit of a blur. Once we had completed Tatehiza no bu John then proceeded to demonstrate Bangai no bu. I think it was the first time for a number of people to challenge these waza but everyone had a good go and I got several good points to improve on too. I don't practice Bangai very often so it was a good refresher for me to be taken through them by John with additional information provided by Brian to give us a clearer understanding of the waza and key elements. We practiced them in the same way as with tatehiza, first being shown the technique then practicing on command with correction, then doing them in sequence until we completed all 3.

I think at this point we had another run through Seiza no bu having given our knees a rest while we did the bangai. Then we were asked to get our bokken with saya and pair-up to do Oe Senseis 7 Tachi uchi no kurai. Same format again, John demonstrated first the reiho, then the kata with Gra then we performed them in our own time while he walked around and offered advice.

The seminar came to a close with us all doing a few repetitions of mae (without my kneepads.. DOH!).

I've got a lot of bits to work on, I think the most crucial is my posture. I tend to get a bit too caught in the moment it seems and start to lead with my head which is destroying my posture.

All in all it was an enjoyable day and we got through a lot of techniques. The problem for some is going to be remembering it all as there was a lot to take in for those new to tatehiza, bangai or TUNK.

It was nice to see a number of people that had traveled a long way to be there, John from Ireland, Debz from Belgium, Kevin from Wales, Eddie and Tristan from Preston.. but it was disappointing there weren't many people there in total.

Big thank you to Brian for organizing the seminar and his instruction and John for demonstrating, instructing us and working just as hard, if not harder, than we did. I'll do my best to sort out my posture!

Hope to see you all (and more) next seminar!

IanJ 23:05, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Essays by Makino Sensei added

Neil Kemp recently kindly gave me a number of documents that I have never read before written by Makino Sensei. I have found them very interesting and hope you will too. You can find them here.

IanJ 21:53, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Iwata sensei passed away 1st January 2011

"It is with regret that I have to write that Nishimoto sensei telephoned me today with the sad news that Iwata sensei died early this morning. My condolences go to his family, friends and students. Those of us who were lucky enough to be taught by him no doubt have many memories to treasure, and no doubt will keep his memory alive by continuing to practise what he taught us." - Tim Hamilton

Taniyama Sensei

At the summer seminar this year we were saddened to learn of the passing of Taniyama Sensei. Taniyama Sensei was one of Iwata Senseis most senior students and a strong character. I was fortunate to have met him and received some instruction from him at a seminar in Ozu towards the end of 2004. I remember quite clearly that he wasn't very impressed with our attempts at Hasagawa Tachi Uchi no Kurai. I'm sure he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. May he rest in peace.

IanJ 10:13, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Extra Day Training in Middlesbrough after Leeds Summer Seminar 2010

Just heard from Tim there is to be an extra day training going ahead in the Olympia Building at Middlesbrough University Tuesday 7th 2010.
For more info please contact Tim Hamilton.

IanJ 22:44, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Summer Seminar 2009

Nishimoto sensei has confirmed that both he and Yabe sensei will be here for September's big seminar. The seminar is set to run from Friday 11th September until Sunday the 13th, with a further two days (Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th) for dojo leaders.
For more info visit the Upcoming events page.

IanJ 18:11, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

Essays by Iwata Norikazu Sensei added

I found a number of essays written by Iwata Sensei on swordsmanship whilst searching the web that I felt would be an excellent addition to the material we have available to learn from via this website. I have converted the web pages into .pdf files so people can download and print them if they wish to read away from the computer, you can find the articles here.

The source of the material was: http://www.iaido.hu/tosamjeriai/mjerdual/E_Iwata_irasai_1.html

IanJ 00:08, 30 October 2008 (UTC)