Professional Documents
Culture Documents
www.at-the-cutting-edge.com
Follow us on
A PUBLICATION FOR
ALL THINGS RELATED TO IAIDO,
IAIJUTSU AND KENJUTSU
Editor:
Stephen Nixey
Diary dates
Contributors:
Steve Coniaris, Chris Grainger, Neil Kemp,
Nigel Kettle, Clive Sinclaire, Gary Williamson
Profile
Email:
info@at-the-cutting-edge.com
Takeshima Toshio
Sensei
20th Soke of Eishin Ryu.
www.at-the-cutting-edge.com
CUTTING EDGE
In depth
Jikiden
26 Muso
Eishin Ryu
A brief history.
42 Bokuden
44 Bushi or goshi
Takeshima Sensei
Face-to-face
The sword
Japanese sword
By Clive Sinclaire
Insight
46
16
Articles
14 Zazen
52 Tea ceremony
54 Why take notes?
An outline of meditation.
32
CUTTING EDGE
ANATOMY
How to . . .
Folding up after practice.
30
Next issue . . .
31
Nakayama Hakudo
Sensei
The hakama
What it means!
Injury issues
Achilles tendon.
56
58
Review
DVD and book are reviews.
Worldwide
Organisations around the world
make sure your organisation
is listed.
60
Iaid-ka
tangible
A brief history
44
Toshiro Mifune
Juban
Mon-tsuki
Yoshioka School
A brief history
and more . . .
Obi
Hakama
Pads
42
26
Bokuden
Arthritic pain
Tennis/golfers elbow
Whiplash
Postural problems
Work strain and tension
www.jointandback.com
2
CUTTING EDGE
Bokuto
Nihonto
For an appointment, call now on
figure. 1
CUTTING EDGE
Eikoku Roshukai
Preston UK Seminar
August 25, 2013
Summer Seminar,
Nottingham
September 27 30
, 2013
Nottingham Semin
ar
November 16, 2013
www.eikoku-roshukai
.com
Hokushin Itto-Ryu
Europe
European Kendo
Federation (EKF)
UK
British Kendo Association (BKA)
Summer Seminar 2013
Jodo Seminar August 1-4
Iaido Seminar August 5-7
www.kendo.org.uk
www.dnbk.org
www.ekf-eu.com
Andorra
International Kendo & Iaido
Seminar 2013
August 9-12
www.kendo-andorra.org
Bulgaria
Summer budo-camp 2013
Art of Japanese sword
August 11-17, Golden Sands
kendo.bg
Belgium
ABKF Summer Seminar 2013,
Louvain-la-Neuve
Iaido & Koryu,
August 23-25
www.abkf.be
UK Shibu, Walsall
, 2013
Saturday, August 24
HNIR kenjutsu
Two-day practice of
44620/
m/events/6256823074
https://www.facebook.co
Switzerland
Special Swiss Alps
Iaido Seminar
September 6, 2013
www.kendo.ch
UK, Okehampton
MJER Iaido weekend
November 29 - December 1
Ashbury Hotel, Okehampton
sam.gerlach@me.com
France
20th European Iaido
Championships 2013
Montpellier/Meze
October 31 - November 3
www.cnkendo-dr.com
Belgium
ABKF
Winter Seminar 2013
December 18-22
www.abkf.be
CUTTING EDGE
TAKESHIMA
TOSHIO Sensei
CUTTING EDGE
Muranaga Sensei
8
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
11
The Tokusei
retailing at
219.17 + VAT
The Higo Koshirae
retailing at
298.33 + VAT,
which also features a
Wakizashi version for
those looking for a
matching Daisho set.
Available in lengths from
2.20-2.60 Shaku, both models
feature a lightweight zinc/
aluminium alloy blade, with a
chromed finish and etched
Hamon in the style typical to
Iaito manufactured in Japan.
The Tokusei model features
plain, good quality fittings in
accordance with its budget
price, whilst the Higo
model comes complete with
upgraded Tsuba and hilt
fittings, which offset the
sword beautifully.
www.ninecircles.co.uk
12
CUTTING EDGE
13
ZAZEN
zazen
Zazen (seated mediatation) is considered the
heart of Zen Buddhist practice. The aim of
zazen is just sitting, that is, suspending all
judgmental thinking and letting words, ideas,
images and thoughts pass by without getting
involved in them.
In Zen temples and monasteries,
practitioners traditionally sit Zazen
as a group in a meditation hall,
usually referred to as the Zendo. The
practitioner sits on a cushion called a
Zafu, which itself is usually placed on
top of a low, flat mat called a Zabuton.
Before taking ones seat, and after
rising at the end of the period of
Zazen, Zen practitioners perform
a Gassho bow to their seat, and a
second bow to fellow practitioners.
The beginning of a period of Zazen
is traditionally announced by ringing
a bell three times (Shijosho), and the
end of a round by ringing the bell
either once or twice (Hozensho).
Long periods of Zazen may alternate
with periods of kinhin (walking
meditation).
The posture of Zazen is seated, with
folded legs and hands, and an erect
but settled spine. The hands are
folded together into a simple Mudra
over the abdomen. In many practices,
the practitioner breathes from the
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zazen
Sources cited by Wikipedia:
Uchiyama, Kosho (2004). Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice. Wisdom Publications. pp. 4546, 105. ISBN 0861713575.
Kapleau, Philip (1989). The Three pillars of Zen: teaching, practice, and enlightenment. New York: Anchor Books. p. 10(8). ISBN 0-385-26093-8.
Kapleau, Philip (1989). The Three pillars of Zen: teaching, practice, and enlightenment. New York: Anchor Books. pp. 4853. ISBN 0-385-26093-8.
14
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
15
Roshukais renowned
IWATA NORIKAZU
Sensei (1913-2011)
16
CUTTING EDGE
Source:
http://tosamjeriai.iaido.hu
A bell is struck.
The reverberation is known in Japan as Yoin.
CUTTING EDGE
17
THE INTERVIEW
The interview
The interview that follows is courtesy of Neil Kemp, with questions from
Pasi Hellstn. Conducted between November 2001 and May 2002.
Whats your full name?
My name is Iwata Norikazu, but some
people call me Iwata Kenichi because
of the way the Kanji in my name can
be read. When I was young, I was not
very healthy, so my family called me
Shohei. Later when I was stronger
they called me Norikazu; this was
when I was about 20 years old.
18
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
19
THE INTERVIEW
20
CUTTING EDGE
21
THE INTERVIEW
CUTTING EDGE
23
24
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
25
26
CUTTING EDGE
27
CUTTING EDGE
Sources:
Japanese Swordmanship Technique and Practice.
Gordon Warner and Don F. Draeger:
Weatherhill Inc, 1993
Flashing Steel Mastering Eishin Ryu Swordmanship.
Masayuki Shimabukuro and Leonard J. Pellman:
Frog Ltd, 1995
Wikipedia 2013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus_Jikiden_Eishin-ry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasegawa_Eishin-ry
Samurai archives
http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.
php?title=Hayashizaki_Shigenobu
CUTTING EDGE
29
THE HAKAMA
The hakama
After practice . . .
The jacket and the hakama; do you roll, hang or fold?
You should fold, and heres how.
They cost a lot, look great and are the
traditional garments used in budo, but
unless they are looked after, they can
end up looking like dish-clothes.
The jacket
30
CUTTING EDGE
1.
Chu - Loyalty
2.
3.
4.
5.
9.
13.
6.
10.
14.
7.
11.
15.
8.
12.
16.
CUTTING EDGE
31
CUTTING EDGE
33
34
CUTTING EDGE
This magnificent wakizashi or short sword has a blade by Etchu no Kami Masatoshi and
is stripped down to show its constituent parts. These include the tsuba (hand guard) habaki
(collar), seppa (spacers) as well as kogai (a skewer like tool, and a kodzuka (small auxiliary
knife). The elaborate workmanship represents the Mino-Goto style pf decoration.
This sword is part of the British Museums collection.
Another style of tachi known as an Efu-no-tachi which was worn in ancient times by courtiers and Imperial guards although this is a later copy.
It was probably made for donation to a shrine and bares many mon of the Takeda family.
35
This koshirae (mounting) is of a katana, which unlike the tachi, was a sword worn with the cutting edge uppermost. The saya is covered with
polished ray-skin known as sam. This was very expensive and highly desirable during the Edo period (1600-1868).
CUTTING EDGE
This is a koshirae known as an Ito-maki Tachi or thread-wrapped slung sword. The name
derives from the wrapping on the saya which protects it from damage when worn with armour,
especially whilst mounted on a horse. It later was worn on more formal occasions. A heraldic
Crest known as a mon may be seen on the lacquered part of the saya and this devise is repeated
on the metal mounts.
SHINTO
Tokugawa Ieyasu established his
capital at a small fishing village
named Edo, far to the east of Kyoto
and quite close to Kamakura. With
the final unification of the country
under Tokugawa Ieyasu, peace finally
came to the land and the new creative
surge of the Momoyama period was
reflected in the genius of a Kyoto
metalworker named Umetada Myoju
and his main student, Horikawa
Kunihiro. These two gentlemen
attracted many pupils who were to
spread the new styles of swordmaking
throughout the land. Umetada is
known as the father of the Shinto
(new sword) period and both his and
The matched pair of swords are known collectively as a daisho (lit. great and small) and were the distinguishing badge of rank of the samurai class.
As this particular style of mounting owes much to the previously mentioned tachi style, it is known as a Handachi (half-tachi) daisho-koshirae.
37
ANATOMY
order that banned all citizens, other
than the military or police, from
carrying swords was enacted. This for
some while appeared to be the end of
the history of the Japanese sword.
Fortunately, a very few swordsmiths,
such as the Horii and Gassan families,
managed to keep making blades
and saved the art of sword-making
from disappearing and being
lost altogether. This was greatly
helped by Emperor Meiji himself
who was both an avid collector
and patron of Japanese swords.
However, the swordsmiths of this
time had a precarious existence and
many resorted to making fakes or
reproductions of swords from famous
swordsmiths of the past, in order
to make ends meet and satisfy the
demand from the few collectors of
the time.
38
CUTTING EDGE
Iaid-ka
intangible
jo-ha-kyu
kan-kyu
meri-hari
fukaku
mushin
etc...
Hara
ki
figure. 2
CUTTING EDGE
39
40
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
41
TSUKAHARA BOKUDEN
42
CUTTING EDGE
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukahara_Bokuden
http://kenshi247.net/blog/2009/10/26/tsukaharabokuden/
CUTTING EDGE
43
BUSHI OR GOSHI
CUTTING EDGE
Ryoma Sakamoto
Shintaro Nakaoka
45
BUSHI OR GOSHI
CUTTING EDGE
DID YOU K
NOW?
Samurai co
uld be fem
ale.
Samurai sta
tus was inh
erited
by all desce
ndants (ma
le
and female
) of samura
i,
and women
samurai we
re
expected to
fig
to protect th ht fiercely
eir home
while the m
en were
away from
it.
CUTTING EDGE
47
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
49
50
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
51
TEA CEREMONY
CUTTING EDGE
DID YO
KNOW U
?
During
the Edo
period,
farmers
were pr
oh
the lux ibited
ury of
drinkin
g tea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony
CUTTING EDGE
53
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
55
ACHILLES TENDONITIS
Achilles Tendonitis
56
CUTTING EDGE
57
REVIEWS
Books
This section of the magazine takes a look at the old and new. Cinema releases, books
and DVDs. The aim is to give an honest and impartial review, so if you have seen or read
anything of interest and want to make a review with a 5 star rating panel, please drop an
email to info@at-the-cutting-edge.com
Rating
An in-depth and sometimes quite heavy-going look at the real Last Samurai, Saigo
Takamori. It chronicles his life and ideals; from childhood experiences that shaped his
future, to acquaintances, imprisonment and finally to death, in a battle that proved to be
the bloodiest in over 200 years, dying by his own hand on the battle field of the Satsuma
Rebellion. The story of a legendary character immortalised in stone in Tokyos Ueno Park.
Rating
Published by Wiley
ISBN: 978-0-471-70537-6
The guests were witness to a demonstration of various martial arts in a small dojo
comprising of Tanren Bo conditioning, Batto Do, Okinawan Karate and Aikido, with
the use of a bokken to give focus and line to the technique, and for the maintenance
of zanshin. Finally, Goshin ju-jitsu, which demonstrated both the traditional and
modern techniques. Unfortunately there was no demonstration of Tameshigiri. The
demonstration was followed by a talk by Gavin, which covered the life of Nakamura
Taisaburo, considered to be one of the greatest swordsmen of the 20th Century. He
was born in 1912, the year the Titanic sank, and died in 2003. His book was written in
1980 and the intellectual copyright reverted to the family and his daughter Ms. Tomoko
Nakamura, who allowed the translation and publication. It was originally titled Essence
of Test Cutting with the Japanese Sword but Gavin retitled the book to reflect its
nature. He considers this book the best of his works and essential for anyone interested
in sword arts.
Kurikara
Gavin spoke of the three types of translator; the poor who translate literally; the
adequate who translate the meaning; and the good who translate the intent. He told
of the time he spent deciphering what was meant by a man who was considered
dichotomous, in that he followed structural form, but was also frank and opinionated.
The book is part autobiographical.
Nakamura Taisaburo did not like the idea of sword sport, and believed much had
become too stylised, as he believed in both the practical and spiritual side, an example
of the importance of technique is demonstrated in the book, where after being
bayonetted through the hand his technique suffered, emphasising the importance of
tenouchi. Other self-inflicted injuries mentioned in the book demonstrate the importance
of focus.
For his services to martial arts Nakamura Taisaburo was awarded the Silver Dish by
former Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko. He was influenced by Nakayama Hakudo Sensei,
the last soke in the Muso Shinden Ryu Goto-ha line.
A very well considered book, looking at the complete swordsman, physically, spiritually
and technically. Very few books delve as deep as this one, but still leave room for
consideration and contemplation for the reader; never giving answers but posing
questions via trodden paths by the author John Maki Evans. Irrespective of your sword
style, this is a book to be kept and read, and re-read.
Rating
DVD
RAN
A classic Kurosawa version of Shakespears King Lear. A spectacular samurai costume
drama. The action starts with a boar hunt on a breezy, sunny day. The old Daimyo
deciding to had over his power to his sons; and the eventual breakdown of father and
sons relationships.
Rating
Like all Kurosawa films, the art direction is beautiful, the sounds score riveting and
dramatic, the acting wonderful. Filmed in Japanese with English subtitles, but one not to
be missed.
I look forward to studying the book and learning from it, then posting the review here.
58
Develops into very nice story of a husband and wife relationship, and the concluding
defense of her honour with a sword fight thats quite inspiring.
CUTTING EDGE
A great film, though a little slow to start. But, once it gets going, you are hooked.
Rating
CUTTING EDGE
59
EUROPE
South Africa
SAKF South Africa Kendo Federation
www.kendo.org.za
ASIA PACIFIC
Andorra
FADKEN Federaci Andorrana de Kendo
www.kendo-andorra.org
Australia
Australian Kendo Renmei
www.kendoaustralia.asn.au
Kuroda Han, Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu,
Heiho, Aratsu-Kai - Perth
www.yagyushinkage-ryu.com
Hawaii
Hawaii Kendo Federation
www.hawaiikendo.com
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Iaido Kenjutsu Club
www.iaidohk.com
India
The Nippon Budo Sogo International India
www.samuraiindia.com
Japan
All Japan Kendo Federation/
International Kendo Federation
www.kendo-fik.org
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
www.dnbk.org
Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei
toyamaryuiaido.jp/index_en.html
New Zealand
New Zealand Kendo Federation
www.kendo.org.nz
Vietnam
Vietnam Kendo Club
www.kendo.vn
Austria
AKA Austrian Kendo Association
www.kendo-austria.at
Belgium
ABKF All Belgium Kendo Federation
www.abkf.be
Bulgaria
BKF Bulgarian Kendo Federation
www.kendo.bg
Croatia
CKA Croatian Kendo Association
www.kendo.hr
Czech Republic
CKF Czech Kendo Federation
www.czech-kendo.cz
Denmark
DKF Danish Kendo Federation
www.kendo-dkf.dk
Estonia
EsKF Estonian Kendo Federation
www.kendo.ee
Finland
FKA Finnish Kendo Association
www.kendoliitto.net
France
CNK FFJDA. Comite National Kendo
www.cnkendo-da.com
AMERICAS
Georgia
GNKF Georgian National Kendo Federation NNLE
www.kendo.ge/new
Argentina
Federacin Argentina de Kendo
www.kendoargentina.org
Germany
DKenB Deutscher Kendo Bund e.V.
www.dkenb.de
Bolivia
Asociacin Boliviana de Kendo
www.facebook.com/kendobol
Greece
HKINF Hellenic Kendo Iaido Naginata Federation
www.eokin.gr
Brazil
Kendo Brasilia
www.kendo.org.br
Hungary
HKF Hungarian Kendo Iaido and Jodo Federation
www.iaido.hu
www.jodo.hu
Instituto Niten
www.niten.org.br
Ireland
The Iaido Association of Ireland
www.iaido.ie
Canada
Canadian Iaido Association
www.iaido.ca
Equador
Asociacin Ecuatoriano-Japonesa de Kendo
kendoecuador.org
Mexico
Federacin Mexicana de Kendo
www.kendo.mx
United States of America
AUSKF All United States Kendo Federation
www.auskf.info
Peru
Asociacion Peruana de Iaido
www.facebook.com/IaidoEnElPeru
Norway
NKK Norges Kendo Komitee
www.kendo.no
Poland
PZK Polski Zwiazek Kendo
www.kendo.pl
Portugal
APK Associao Portuguesa de Kendo
www.kendo.pt
Republic of Macedonia
MKIF Macedonian Kendo - Iaido Federation
www.kendo.org.mk
Russia
RKF Russian Kendo Federation
www.kendo-russia.ru
Serbia
SKF Serbian Kendo Federation
www.kendo.rs
Slovakia
SKF Slovak Kendo Federation
www.kendo.sk
Slovenia
KFSLO Kendo Federation of Slovenia
www.kendo-zveza.si
Sweden
SB&K Svenska Kendofrbundet
www.kendoforbundet.se
Switzerland
SKI Swiss Kendo + Iaido SJV / FSJ
www.kendo.ch
The Netherlands
NKR Nederlandse Kendo Renmei
www.nkr.nl
Turkey
TKC Turkish Kendo Association
www.kendo-tr.com
Ukraine
UKF Ukraine Kendo Federation
ukf.org.ua/?lang=en
United Kingdom
BKA British Kendo Association
www.kendo.org.uk
MIDDLE EAST
Jordan
JKC Jordan Kendo Committee
www.jkcjo.com
Israel
IKBF Israel Kendo & Budo Federation
www.ikbf.co.il
Italy
CIK Confederazione Italiana Kendo
www.kendo-cik.it
Latvia
LKF Latvian Kendo Federation
www.kendo.lv
Lithuania
LKA Lithuanian Kendo Association
www.kendo-lka.lt
Luxembourg
LKA Lithuanian Kendo Association
www.kendo-lka.lt
Malta
Classical Budo Malta
www.classicalbudomalta.org/iaido.html
LET US KN
OW!
If your orga
nisation is
not here, o
r the detail
s
are wrong,
the let us
know and w
e will make
the amend
ments
or addition
s.
Download their app and DONT miss out on the next issue
60
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
61