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

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.

Today our beginners cohort were introduced to Suburi-To.

Heavy wooden swords that are usually used to strengthen wrists. For a beginner, the heavy swords can exaggerate the use of the wrong muscles, making it easy to identify problems with technique. We also spent time talking about the nature of Iaijutsu, being mastery of the sword and its use. I am very happy to be teaching beginners again, and watching their steady progress.

The first Dojo class since returning from Japan. I was very happy to present 2nd and 3rd Dan certificates to our successful challengers. We also workshopped style variations across our dojo as well as commencing paired kata training for our beginner cohort. Lot's happening, as always.

Some additional photos from Wednesdays training near Yokohama. It was great to spend time training with Simon from Sydney dojo again. This is Tsume Ai no Kurai series.

Kyoto Butokuden, Sunday the 14th. This day was full of workshops and training sessions on some uncommon MJER Waza sets. Also the final grading Embu was performed and certificates granted. I proxied for our Australian members who could not attend, I will be happy to hand over those certificates next week.

Kyoto Butokuden, Saturday the 13th. What a huge day with demonstrations from so many styles from across the region, and us, the Australian contingent.

Day three of training near Yokohama. More time spent on Tsume Ai no Kurai, one of several paired Kata series taught in our school.
We again focused on fine details of tatehiza Waza, there are many practical features of Ohta style that only can be understood in context of application.

Training, Tuesday the 9th. Near Yokohama.
Another day of new variations on tatehiza techniques and high level movement instruction for senior students. We also began training the tsume ai no kurai paired Kata in preparation for Sunday's workshop.

Training in Kamakura, Monday.the 8th.
First day of training, seeing old friends and teachers. Correcting mistakes and learning new variations of familiar techniques. There was also a chance for everyone to polish their grading and embu set lists.

A busy class today, a grading, an epiphany, kata training and hakama folding lessons.

Well done to Greg who performed his waza at a very high level. Pushing past fundamentals makes new understanding possible.
Good luck to Amanda who will be performing her 3rd Dan grading next Saturday, looking forward to the demonstration.