Altar and Oath

The Natori-Ryu Altar is a place for showing respect to Issui-Sensei, the school, and
all that have made it possible for us to study the art we have in front of us today. The
Altar is not a place to ‘look cool’, nor is it even about you, it is about paying respects.
As such, any and all items placed at and forming part of the Shinza - altar area
should be done with thought and regard to the school and Issui-Sensei, it should be
tasteful and for a purpose.
The kinds of things used for the altars should not be random statues just because.
They should be correct meaningful pieces such as Natori-Ryu banners, Death
tablets, Kamidana and other such items. Additionally candles and incense are a
good gesture, especially to light them up in memory of Issui-Sensei on Natori day-
May 5th.
Adding random non-related or non-themed trinkets just for decoration is not tasteful
nor is it respectful. Remember, the altar is not about you it is about showing respect.
Sharing the Altar with other arts you study, or as part of a religious focus, especially
if you set up in a dojo is fine, but setting up Natori as a lesser part in a Dojo is
disrespectful, if this is the case either set up separate or set up elsewhere.
The oath sheet is to be printed off, and in front of your Altar it should be signed,
dated, and stamped with your thumb using a red ink pad. Then send in a pic to us.
The Oath should be kept at your Altar or even put on the wall of where you train.
A quick and easy way to make a Natori Banner.

 Print off a Kanji and Mon onto paper.

(Available as download from website)
 Glue a Dowel on both ends.
 Glue a string to the top and hang it.
Formal blessing from the Natori family to Antony Cummins for him to re-open Natori
Ryu and lead it into the future. This was done in 2013 at the Eunji temple with the
head monk Jyuho Yamamoto presiding over the service and acting as witness.
Print it off and frame it in your dojo.