Florida Koryu Shinko-kai

カン, "Kan." Intuition is one of the most important and adaptable skills refined in martial training. In the case of training with live weapons, you must additionally hone sensitivity for internal dangers. A martial practitioner's attitude and self-control must not be neglected. While carelessly inflicting injury onto oneself is painful and humiliating to various degrees, as a byproduct, "satsujinken" (the killing sword) is further understood and respected. Therefore, the hypothetical threat posed by the invisible opponent, "kaso teki," may quickly mature. Training one even more so to develop sensitivity towards the (previously) hypothetical danger.

We have some of the coolest students training, ever.

Florida Koryu Shinko-kai, Choken Battojutsu Kage no ryū Tampa-shibu practitioners.

Recent jiyu keiko.

もっと クロストレーニング! Despite having kamayari, facing a 13 shaku suyari (give or take) is a harrowing experience. Targets are adjusted for safety. However, it takes experience to become accustomed to the flash of the spear in your eyesight. As in all budo, you are initially taught to respond to an attack, and thankfully, through kata keiko, we know where that attack ultimately will be. But the true goal is learning to anticipate the suyari tsuki, which travels very quickly in a short trajectory directly toward you. Coupled with the eventuality that these tsuki will not be redirected for safety, advancing becomes perilous.

クロストレーニング!

The Florida Tosa no kai, a Hōzōin-ryū keikokai. Meeting up in South Florida, it has a hand-picked roster of students, all chosen for their previous years of experience and consistent training.

There's many basic concepts for how martial arts define their schools' body mechanics; tai sabaki, irimi, and kamae. Once practiced and accustomed to moving as one art dictates, It can be very difficult to adjust to the contrary body mechanics of another. Some arts prefer a solid grounded front stance, drawing power from rotation of the hips and the rails of the body, fully front facing the opponent for powerful strikes and blocks. So, to teach the iri, sabaku, and kamae almost entirely grounded in hanmi, a creative approach can be taken...

長刀術. Introducing a new student to naginatajutsu. While the greater reach of the naginata can equalize the range of a larger opponent, the weapon is cumbersome for the uninitiated. More so for the larger O-Naginata (battlefield size) than the smaller domesticated Ko-Naginata, which was hung over the front door and included in a bride's dowry.

奥義 技. Okugi waza Tensetsu, "Close cutting." There are several written descriptions translating this technique to English. However, they (like everything else in the Heiho Kadensho) are supplementary instructions. These days, there are artists who cobble together popular gen-budo with a half-baked education of kobudo for tourism and YouTube views. Using waza intended for dueling formidable opponents against a staged, lifeless, rolled tatami mat. Once the shine of cutting skills and amusement subsides, much of it appears quite staged and lifeless.

"All that glitters is not gold."

Fencing in the Florida sun. Perhaps one of the local birds will inspire our technique.

攻め. Another display of seme, (threatening intent.) It's the responsibility of the teacher and senior practitioners to slowly "turn up the heat," and gradually, students are acclimated to danger over time. As accuracy and control are developed, trust is nurtured. However, if it lapses into comfort zones, it's all too easy for stagnation to take place.

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it." - Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was said to have been an avid reader of martial texts, and held samurai knowledge in high esteem. Many of his philosophies echo prodigious kensei such as Tsukahara Bokuden and Miyamoto Musashi. This is bun bu michi.