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Wood & Steel:
Exploring the Arts of the Japanese Sword and Staff
The Dojo is pleased to announce the second -- and long awaited -- in a
series of clinics focused on the tradition and use of the Japanese
short staff and sword.
Join us February 5th and 6th in an exploration of Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo
and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido. Clinic sessions will be led by Peter Boylan, recently returned
from Japan where he has studied both koryu and gendai sword, staff and
empty hand systems for the past decade.
Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo is the art of Muso Gonnosuke, the only man known to
have beaten the famous swordmaster Musashi Miyamoto in a duel. Use of the
short staff is widespread in many Japanese martial systems, but nowhere is
it as richly detailed as in Shinto Muso Ryu, where it originated.
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu is an important branch in the iaido world and offers
a wide variety of techniques and forms for drawing and using the Japanese
sword. Instruction will begin with the All-Japan Kendo Federation's formal
sword-drawing sets -- the ZKNR Seiteigata. As students progress and gain
expertise in the modern forms, the technique and forms of the older style
will be introduced.
As a special bonus, Mr. Boylan will conduct a Saturday evening session
devoted to classical judo. exploring the formal techniques and
exercises of the art. A mini-class in the kempo of the Kokoro Ryu
will also be offered (schedule to be determined).
Participants will need loose-fitting, sturdy clothing (traditional
judogi, karategi or aikidogi -- hakama at the option of the
participant -- is preferred). Participants will also need proper
wooden weapons for the clinic. Some bokuto and jo may be available for
sale at the seminar. If you have questions about proper attire or
weapons, contact The Dojo. Some weapons may be offered for sale;
contact Mugendo Budogu for
information.
Cost:
$25 per day or $40 for both days.
About the Instructor:
Mr. Boylan holds black belt ranks in judo, iaido and jodo and has been given
permission to teach Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Shinto Muso Ryu. He has
studied traditional Japanese martial arts in Japan for the past decade under
several notable instructors and has been a student of the Japanese martial
arts for most of his adult life. He currently lives near Detroit, Mich., and
is teaching and practicing there. He is an active member of the aikido and
iaido electronic mailing lists and was a featured panelist at the 1999
Guelph School of Japanese Sword Arts at the University of Guelph in Ontario.
About the Dojo:
The Dojo is a small,
non-commercial martial arts club dedicated to the study of the
Japanese martial arts, specifically, jujutsu and weapons systems.
Classes currently meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday
afternoons in the VVA 295 building on old Fort Harrison. For more
information, e-mail: the.dojo@mindspring.com.
Chuck
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