Hoten Ryu Enten Dojo

Yes. There is no other way around it. FloridaBudokan.org

The flail axe a.k.a. The Flax

Reminds me of some of our Hoten Ryu tools.

The flail axe a.k.a. The Flax

Arizona Virtual Matsuri - Day 2 (February 27th 2022)

Our demo for the Day 2 of the virtual AZ Matsuri begins at 2:42:35.

https://youtu.be/tBx5NWeM9-U?t=9756

Arizona Virtual Matsuri - Day 2 (February 27th 2022)

Arizona Virtual Matsuri - Day 2 (February 27th 2022)

Arizona Virtual Matsuri 2022 - Day 2 is going on now.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/tBx5NWeM9-U

Arizona Virtual Matsuri - Day 2 (February 27th 2022)

Arizona Virtual Matsuri 2022 - Day 1 (February 26th 2022)

The virtual AZ Matsuri is happening now!

https://youtu.be/InBDcGlusmU

Arizona Virtual Matsuri 2022 - Day 1 (February 26th 2022)

I just saw this Reddit article. I guess I am the "slightly sketchy looking page." lol

The person wrote that they are looking to study Hoten Ryu "a bit" and "primarily from an analytical/scholarly perspective." In other words, they aren't interested in ACTUALLY studying Hoten Ryu.

I don't particularly care for early mornings or cold weather, but I am reminiscing about my early Sunday morning trainings when I lived in Japan. I would wake by 4:30am and be out to the door shortly after 5am. Here I'm trying to catch the very first train, so I wouldn't be late since we started at 6:40am. January mornings were always the most dark and frigid, and there were plenty of snowy ones. I would ride my bike to the station in the dark with all of my training gear and then usually be the only one waiting on the platform for the train. Hard to describe why I look back on these memories so fondly.

Hoten Ryu Himofundo "Rope Dart"

Recently, I helped put together some videos to help the local Hoten Ryu members study the "rope dart" version of our himofundo. Here are a few clips from that training. In Hoten Ryu, this is just considered a variation of the standard himofundo and is not actually called a "rope dart." For lack of a better term in English though, I am using this term because many people will be familiar with it from its association with kung fu.

https://youtu.be/zaWpl1JcEzY

Hoten Ryu Himofundo "Rope Dart" This is a shorter version of a video I did for some local students showing the basics of Hoten Ryu's himofundo rope dart. In Hoten Ryu, this is just consider...

Enjoying our unseasonably warm weather for some training and photos.

One of the features of Hoten Ryu is the emphasis on learning to make one's own weapons, so tonight we worked on making some dart versions of himofundo.

In Memoriam - Chris Kieber

I learned today of the passing of my very close friend and Hoten Ryu member, Chris Kieber. I am emotionally wrecked and devastated at losing him. Chris was a member of the Enten Dojo from the very beginning and was my most senior student. More importantly though, he was simply a great friend.

Many know Chris was a single father, working and going to school (he was studying for his Masters in Engineering) to provide for his two sons, Miles and Sebastian. I am happy to report they are safe and healthy, and are living with family members out of state.

I created this short video homage to my friend (one of only three students I have trained who have received official ranking from Japan).

https://youtu.be/DqE5UlA90ZE

In Memoriam - Chris Kieber A short video of my close friend and buyu who recently passed away. I have been friends with him for many years and his two sons were my daughter's first fri...

Some calligraphy from the late, Tachibana Soke. Given to me as a gift by him on this day 9 years ago.

Around 10 years ago at Yagyu village in Japan.

Picking up some treats from our local Japanese bakery.

Akiko Victorson- Calligraphy

Akiko Victorson Sensei has been helping me with my shodou studies. She is a wonderful teacher. Here is her video from the virtual AZ Matsuri.

https://youtu.be/zT9G_tGrvWQ

Akiko Victorson- Calligraphy

Don't miss the virtual AZ Matsuri this weekend!

This year's 2021 virtual Arizona Matsuri features demonstrations from Martial Arts groups across various disciplines including Arizona Bujinkan Ninpo & Budo Kai Dojo, Nansei Dojo, Shinkendo & Aikibujutsu, Arizona Aikido, Arizona Budokan, Meifu Shinkage Ryu Arizona Keikokai, and more!

Check our complete schedule for when you can catch your favorites during our live stream this weekend (Feb 27 & 28) starting at 10am. Watch LIVE via our website, page, or YouTube channel. https://www.azmatsuri.org/program-schedule-2021

This was sent by Beverly Washichek -

37 years ago The “Faces of Japan” program included a small Japanese festival. Afterwards there were many comments about how well it was received and attended...and therein the Arizona Matsuri was born.

This year's poster is attached, with our theme of "Senbazuru." Since we can't hold our festival at Steele Indian School Park as we would have done, with the expectation of the estimated 70,000 attendees, we are hosting it virtually! That is a great challenge, as you can imagine, and we hope you will help us to "widen our net." We ask that you support us by visiting our website, buying raffle tickets and passing on the following information through your networks -- friends, clubs, social media! Thank you in advance.

A SUPERIOR LEVEL OF SUPPORT is acknowledged and appreciated from the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.

It is Arizona Matsuri month and the RAFFLE is LIVE!

Purchase “virtual tickets” for your chance to win grand prizes,
(1) one Japan Airlines round trip ticket to Japan from the west coast or
(2) two round trip domestic tickets on American Airlines
and there are many other spectacular raffle prizes to win from:
*Fushicho Daiko: win one of two $40 gift certificates for 2 for a Japanese drumming lesson;
*Hana Japanese Eatery: $100 restaurant gift certificate;
*Samurai Comics: your chance to win either a gift bag of store goodies; a poster or a $50 gift certificate to spend at one of their 4 stores;
*Sakana Sushi & Grill Scottsdale: a chance to win one of six $10 gift certificates;
*Sushi Sen: your chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates;
*Asahi Bakery: you chance to win one of five $30 bakery gift certificates;
*Pat on the Back: your chance to win one of five $10 gift certificates to use towards a purchase on their website:
*and donated by the Japanese American Citizens League:
$100 gift certificate to Hana Japanese Eatery;
A chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates to New Tokyo Market;
A chance to win one of two $50 gift certificate to Obon Ramen;
$100 gift certificate to HiroSushi; and
a chance to win one of two books about baseball, signed by author, Bill Staples, Jr.

Don’t wait!! Tickets start at just $1! Log in to purchase your raffle “chance to win” by clicking here:

https://www.azmatsuri.org/jal-aa-raffle

or visit our home page https://www.azmatsuri.org and click on this link: “Win a Flight to Japan”

Winners will be randomly selected and announced at the end of the day on Sunday, February 28th, 2021. The Arizona Matsuri Steering Committee sincerely thanks the donors listed above for their generous support to this year’s virtual Arizona Matsuri.”

The Arizona Matsuri will stream videos with information about Japan and from our vendors during the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 2/27-28, 2021 from 10 AM - 5 PM MST. Watch the Opening Ceremony on Saturday at 10 AM. Please check our website for schedule details!

Friday funnies

November sunset in the valley.

One of our local members made and shared some Doburoku. Came out pretty good.

https://en.sake-times.com/learn/nigori_and_doburoku

Hoten Ryu as written by Miyaji Sensei.

It was a little toasty out this morning for training. It supposed to reach 115 this afternoon. We social distanced (using weapons) and wore masks (despite the heat). For our most vulnerable members, they attended training via Zoom.

I hope you all are doing well during the current Covid crisis and setting the example in promoting the wellness of your communities by wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and practicing social distancing.

Timeline photos

🐉 Wise words from on this Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom: ‘Make a friend out of somebody who doesn’t look like you, and get to understand humanity. You’ll get a better understanding of who your fellow citizens are.’ -Kareem Abdul Jabbar

These Athletes Had the Coronavirus. Will They Ever Be the Same?

This is something to consider as restrictions are lifted. Many people seem to think this is like the flu and they will recover quickly after contracting the illness. There is a chance that the illness will leave individuals with lingering health issues though, so people should continue to take necessary precautions.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/sports/coronavirus-survivors-athletes.html?action=click&algo=bandit-story_desk_filter&block=editors_picks_recirc&fellback=false&imp_id=285772575&impression_id=340145467&index=1&pgtype=Article®ion=footer

These Athletes Had the Coronavirus. Will They Ever Be the Same? Von Miller of the Denver Broncos called the disease a “surreal” experience and said he struggled at first to work out. Other athletes have endured lingering lung and other health issues.

With the times being what they are, virtual instruction might be the only option in the short term. In the long term, find a dojo and a qualified instructor.

Timeline photos

Right now wearing a mask is a must, no matter where, no matter who.
Even the deities at the Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji are taking care of themselves.

Annotating Wayne Muromoto's "The Legacy of Chin Gempin"

Annotating Wayne Muromoto's "The Legacy of Chin Gempin" Muromachi Period Samurai, 1538, Wikipedia Commons, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muromachi_period#/media/File:MuromachiSamurai1538.jpg ...

We had our Shinnenkai 新年会 today. Enjoying the beautiful weather today, we started with a few hours of training while the kiddos played. After training, we had lunch and drinks. Of course, being in Arizona meant celebrating with tacos. 😀

Man requests 'trial by combat' with Japanese swords to settle dispute with Iowa ex-wife

Waiting for the court to decide this one. If it works out right, I might be dueling my inconsiderate neighbor who never cleans up after his dog.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2020/01/13/iowa-courts-david-ostrom-requests-trial-combat-swords-settle-dispute/4456079002/

Man requests 'trial by combat' with Japanese swords to settle dispute with Iowa ex-wife David Ostrom asked an Iowa court to give him 12 weeks notice to "source or forge" a katana and wakizashi for the duel.

I am reminded of the kusarigama training I worked on in October as I think about training tomorrow.

The head wrestling coach at ASU just sent this to me. (When an Olympian gives advice, gotta pay attention.)

Arizona doesn't participate in the daylight savings time switch, but my phone thought we did. Therefore, my alarm didn't go off and I was almost late to training in the morning. Fortunately, I managed to make it on-time to cover techniques with our newest member. As a class, we worked on sword, nagebari, and himofundo.

Hoten Ryu Enten Dojo updated their business hours.

Hoten Ryu Enten Dojo updated their business hours.