Sakura Budokan News and Events

2011 East Coast Koshukai/Instructor Training Seminar

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:42:26 +0000

Greetings to all KNBK Instructors,

The KNBK East Honbu Dojo is planning for the upcoming 2011 East Coast Koshukai/Instructor Training Seminar.

The KNBK / JKI 2011 Koshukai is open to currently certified instructors, or to those yudansha interested in becoming instructors. Non-certified yudansha will only be permitted to come if their registration form is accompanied by a recommendation from their respective Dojo-cho. You or your Dojo representative are being invited to attend this year’s KNBK Instructor Training Seminar to be held in Kingston, PA. at the KNBK East Honbu Dojo the weekend of November 19 and 20, 2011.

The tentative schedule will be the same as last year – all day training and discussion on Saturday and Sunday with the Koshukai ending Sunday afternoon. Yudansha testing will take place on Sunday morning prior to the beginning of Koshukai. The Hombu dojo will be open for training on Friday evening (Nov.18th) for those wishing to train with their fellow KNBK instructors.

For a manual registration Click Here to download form, fill it out and mail it to the address on the form.

If you prefer to register online and pay with a credit card Click Here.

We look forward to seeing you!

As you know, we need to be informed ASAP if you plan to attend! The deadline for confirmation of your attendance is October 30, 2011.

Regards,

Carl Long
V. Chairman KNBK / JKI

390 Tioga Ave
Kingston, PA 18704

www.SakuraBudokan.com
www.Jikishin-kai.com

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FREE! Self-Defense Classes for Children

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:37:38 +0000

A new monthly program at our school in Kingston, PA. It’s called StreetSmart and is free to all children 6 -12 years old. Give us a call if you want to reserve a space.

FREE! FREE! FREE!
Self-Defense Classes for Children
Call to be put on the enrollment list now for the FREE November session!
570-288-7865

We Demonstrate For Members Of Japans Royal Family

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:51:18 +0000

Demonstration of Kenjutsu by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi and Carl Long, Shihan. Filmed in Hiroshima, Japan .

Train with us and you can train in Japan!

Call Sakura Budokan Today! 570-288-7865

We Teach Kids How To Fly At Sakura Budokan!

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:46:35 +0000

At Sakura Budokan, we teach Kids how to fly!
We have the best Matted Floor ever made!

Practicing the martial arts can benefit children in many ways…

Improve self-esteem.
Enhance coordination.
Increase focus.
Cultivate leadership skills.
Reinforce such values as honesty, respect, and integrity.

Give us a call! Come and try it out to see the difference!

570-288-7865

You Can Now Purchase Videos & Books From Amazon.com

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:32:40 +0000

Koryu Iaijutsu & Kenjutsu: Classical Sword Arts with Carl E. Long, Kyoshi

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:46:31 +0000

Carl E. Long, Kyoshi

Shindokan Dojo is once again proud to welcome Carl Long, Kyoshi, of the Jikishin-Kai International, for his long awaited return for a weekend seminar on authentic classical Japanese sword arts. We also welcome you to join us for what will certainly be weekend of instruction of extremely high caliber. Sensei will provide instruction in the koryu traditions of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu and Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu. While access to instruction in the koryu sword arts is slowly becoming more widely available, instruction at the level that will be experienced during this seminar remains quite rare indeed. It is important to note that Ono-ha Itto-ryu, an art that has directly influenced the more modern arts of Kendo, Aikijujutsu and Aikido, remains almost completely inaccessible outside of Japan. The KNBK/JKI is the only source of instruction in the mainline of Ono-ha Itto-ryu in North America! This is indeed a great and unique opportunity to study real koryu!

An exemplary teacher of authentic Japanese and Okinawan martial Arts, Long Kyoshi serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai / Jikishin-Kai International and is the senior student of Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi, the 21st Generation Inheritor-Designate of our line of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu. Long Kyoshi is also Hombu-cho of the KNBK/JKI Eastern Hombu Dojo and is also the Coordinator of Iaido and Batto-do for the International Division of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the oldest martial arts governing organization in Japan. He holds the grades of 8th Dan, Shorin-ryu Karate-do; 7th Dan, Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu; 6th Dan, Shito-ryu Karate-do; 4th Dan, Shindo Muso-ryu Jojutsu; and dan grades in Aikido and Kobudo.

Location:

Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts/Shindokan Dojo
163 South Broad Street
Pawcatuck, CT 06379

Time:

Saturday, February 26 at 10:00am – February 27 at 4:00pm

Shimabukuro Hanshi on Black Belt Magazine Cover Jan 2011

admin — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:25:15 +0000

Black Belt Magazine January 2011 “Special 50th Anniversary Series” Collector’s Issue.

The upcoming January 2011 issue of Black Belt magazine is a special issue that celebrates their 50th anniversary as a publication. It is even more special because Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi is on the cover and Carl Long Kyoshi has contributed an article with Shimabukuro Hanshi as well.

CONGRATULATIONS HANSHI!!

Don’t miss out on owning this once in a lifetime Collector’s Item.

Look for it on the newstand!!!

Training for Saya no Naka No Kachi by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:51:10 +0000

Training for Saya no Naka No Kachi by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi

The phrase “saya no naka no kachi”, victory while the sword is still in the saya, should be familiar to most practitioners of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu in theKNBK/JKI. In fact, the meaning of “saya no naka no kachi” is one of the questions in the written portion of the test for shodan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. Most everyone knows what translation of “saya no naka no kachi” is; it sounds so good, so “philosophical”, but how many really know what the concept of “victory while the sword is still in the saya” means? Moreover, how do we train for “victory while the sword is still in the saya”? How do we actualize “saya no naka no kachi”in our daily lives? As indicated above, the translation of “saya no naka no kachi” is “victory while the sword is still in the saya”, meaning attaining victory without drawing and cutting; defeating an enemy without killing; victory without violence or confrontation. A noble sounding view of budo ethics, it nonetheless does not say much about how one actually accomplishes such a lofty goal, or how one applies this concept to the affairs of everyday interactions with other individuals or groups. There are essentially two ways to obtain victory. The first and most obvious way is train diligently to become highly skilled and to develop a strong body and very strong technique. With the development of powerful, skillful technique comes strong confidence and presence; presence that is palpable to others.

An obvious example of this approach to victory is found in the life of Miyamoto Musashi, probably the most famous swordsman in the history of Japan. He used a phrase “iwao no mi”, implying that one’s body should be like a big boulder, referring to a large boulder seemingly precariously perched on the edge of cliff directly above a mountain path on which he and his disciple Jotaro were walking. Although in truth firmly embedded in the mountain and absolutely immovable, Jotaro was nonetheless fearful that the boulder would come crashing down and crush them. Musashi used this to illustrate a lesson to Jotaro: the key to victory for a warrior is to be like the boulder on the cliff, immovable and containing great hidden power, causing fear in anyone coming near. Musashi believed that the development of such strong technique and spirit that no one would dare attack him was the highest expression of training.

This is certainly one way in which one may train to develop the skill and spirit to dissuade others from confrontation. However, “iwao no mi”, when not tempered by compassion, can lead to an overly aggressive mindset; the foundation of a worldview that is rooted in violence. It is a mindset that often causes one to see enemies everywhere, identifying anyone else as a threat. As the old teaching goes, “with your thoughts, you create your world”. Therefore, if you see someone or think of someone as an enemy, you are certain to cause them to become one. And if you see enemies everywhere, your life will be filled with conflict.

Conversely, if you treat everyone well, you can create conditions that allow for a very peaceful mind. However, the danger here lies in the possibility of being too passive in one’s dealings with others. While a passive mindset and interaction with others may engender feeling of a peaceful mind, that feeling of peace is often illusory. Pacifism without strength is often a recipe for exploitation or domination. An old samurai maxim states that “only a warrior can choose pacifism; all others are condemned to it”.

Unfortunately, we often see budo practiced in a very passive manner. Iai is a common example of this. While an art predicated on the concept of dealing with a sudden attack while the sword is still in the saya, it is often reduced to a mere sword drawing practice for “spiritual” development or aesthetic appreciation. It is often very pretty iai, with seemingly very “friendly” nukitsuke! However, there is absolutely no kihaku, no martial content. The reality is that focusing on “pretty” iai develops nothing.

What we seek in our budo training is the strength and confidence of “iwao no mi” tempered by compassion and wisdom.

A legend surrounding Musashi and the Zen monk Takuan Soho once again serves as a model for this concept. In this story, a venomous snake creeps toward Takuan while he and Musashi are sitting zazen beside a stream. Fearing for Takuan’s safety, Musashi remains absolutely motionless as the snake moves up to Takuan, who merely faintly smiles as the serpent slithers harmlessly over his lap. Upon reaching Musashi, however, the snake recoils in fear and slithers into the brush. While Musashi had not moved, his fierce spirit was palpable to the snake, causing it to flee to the safety of the brush. Musashi, however, recognizing the difference in spirit between himself and Takuan, was both shamed and awakened by this experience. He had trained for so long to cultivate such strong technique and spirit that no one would ever dare attack him. He could defeat an opponent without striking a blow. However, he realized that he was also a man that no one could ever be close to. But in Takuan, Musashi observed the result of equally arduous training, but training that manifested as quiet, calm strength and great peace; a spirit of naturalness that had a far greater power to affect others in a positive way than his own fierce spirit ever could.

This story provides keys concerning the second way that we can train to manifest the concept of “saya no naka no kachi.” What we should strive for in our training waza that reflects properly tempered “iwao no mi” can provide for fertile soil from which truly authentic heijoshin, peaceful mind, can grow. We should most certainly train for strong martial technique, we must develop a feeling of “iwao no mi” in our iai, but we must also be sure to train with the proper heart and spirit. This is what will lead to true strength of spirit, which will in turn manifest as an authentic peaceful mind. This is how we can attain real saya no naka no kachi. This is what we are training for.

Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi and Carl Long, Kyoski

2010 JKI Instructors Training Seminar

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:34:20 +0000

JKI Intl. Shidosha Koshukai
Jikishin-Kai International 2010 Instructor Koshukai

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!!!

JKI EAST COAST Honbu will be hosting a special Instructor Only Training Seminar on Saturday/Sunday, November 20 & 21.

This special instructor seminar is to focus on JKI organizational changes along with adjunct training for instructors in Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu and kenjutsu for the purposes of what and how to teach in accordance with Shimabukuro Hanshi’s plan for 2010 -2011.

The planned JKI organizational structure includes different licenses to establish instructor credentials to better the JKI quality of instruction. Attendees wishing instructor certification should be prepared to demonstrate Eishin-ryu waza as part of their evaluation on Sunday morning testing.

This special seminar is for JKI shibu-cho and their assistant instructors, or any JKI certified yudansha member who is actively responsible for leading or instructing “Registered” JKI students. This seminar is also open for general training to “CERTIFIED” JKI yudansha who do not have current active instructing responsibilities but wish to prepare for instructor license.

All JKI shibu-cho and assistant staff/instructors are encouraged to attend this special seminar. JKI Licenses will only be awarded by application to Shimabukuro Hanshi on an individual basis with set fees and with recommendation from Long Kyoshi.

The fee for this seminar will be $200 per person and will include instruction for both days, Saturday lunch and Saturday evening banquet. If you are an instructor and would like to attend, please send an email request to JKI Honbu at clong@jikishin-kai.com.

On Sunday, in addition to Iaijutsu, Testing will be conducted for JKI members Please bring your shinken and mats for cutting if you intend on testing. All test fees MUST be paid in advance of taking the test.

Sat. – Sunday; Nov. 20, 21, 2010

Schedule
Sat. 10:00am to 12:00pm Training
Sat. 1:00pm to 5:00pm Training
Sat. 7:00pm to 10:00pm Dinner & Discussion
Sun. 8:00am to 10:00am Testing for Yudansha
Sun. 10:00am to 12:00pm Training
Sun. 1:00pm to 4:00pm Training

*Testing will be available for current paid JKI members. A recommendation from your sensei and payment of a test fee will be required prior to testing.

Please advise Long Shihan prior to November 19th if you plan to test.

Location:

Sakura Budokan
390 Tioga Ave.
Kingston, Pa. 18704

Contact: Carl Long
570-288-7865

To Register and Make Payment for this Seminar Please Click the Link Below:

https://www.sakurabudokan.com/news/seminar-registration

Aikido–Daito Ryu–Kenjutsu Seminar July 24th & 25th 2010

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:59:38 +0000

Aikido–Daito Ryu–Kenjutsu Seminar July 24th & 25th 2010

July 24 and 25, 2010
Sakura Budokan
390 Tioga Ave.
Kingston Pa. 18704

Seminar Cost – only $65 for one day or $75 for both days.

Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu with Sensei Roy Goldberg

Daito Ryu – a 1200 year old art, which originated from the Minamoto Clan, is the parent of many Japanese martial arts, as stated by Stanley Pranin – the Chief Editor of Aikido Journal, a high ranking aikidoka and author of several texts. He states “that categorically the major influence on the development of Aikido is Daito Ryu and it is difficult to find a movement in Aikido that does not originate in Takeda’s jujutsu form”. The greatest disseminator of Daito Ryu was Sokaku Takeda. One of his most senior students was Horikawa Kodo. His emphasis to him was the highest level and most difficult Aiki techniques, which concentrate on connection with subtle Kazushi (off balancing).

Goldberg (Shingen) Sensei is the East Coast Representative of the North American Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Kodo Kai. Sensei is the highest ranking student of Hawayo Kiyama Shihan – The President and Chief Instructor of NADRAKK. Goldberg’s Sensei’s goal is to pass down Daito Ryu (Japan’s National Treasure) to serious students, as presented to him by the Hombu Dojo and Kiyama Shihan. Sensei believes that in the martial arts, one teaches only to continue his own unfinished study.

Kenjutsu with Carl Long, Kyoshi.

Ono-ha Itto-ryu is the oldest of the many Itto-ryu styles which branched off from Ittosai Kagehisa’s original art. It continues to be one of the most influential of the traditional kenjutsu styles today, exerting a major influence, upon modern kendo’s kata, tactics, and aesthetic.

From a technical standpoint this style consists of more than 150 techniques for both long and short swords. Kiri-otoshi, which translates simply as “cutting down”, is still the defining technique, like that of its parent style. Characteristically, practitioners often feel that they have the ability to strike freely due to their technique of cutting down the centre-line during an opponent’s cut in order to displace their attacker’s sword and gain victory. The style adheres to a philosophy articulated in the phrase “itto sunawachi banto” or “one sword gives rise to ten thousand swords,” meaning that a thorough understanding of the fundamental technique of cutting will lead one to understand the myriad variations.

Long, Kyoshi is the highest ranked member in the world of Jikishin Kai International, under Shimabukuro Hanshi. Long, Kyoshi is also a DNBK ID Iaido Official Coordinator. As Eastern USA Hombu-Cho and Director for the Jikishin-Kai International Long Kyoshi is responsible for the instruction and certification of Jikishin-Kai Instructors and Dojo throughout the United States of America, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe.

Aikido with Scotti Graziosa

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical strength, as the aikidoka (aikido practitioner) “leads” the attacker’s momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba’s involvement with the Omoto-kyo religion. Ueshiba’s early students’ documents bear the term aiki-jujutsu. Many of Ueshiba’s senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker.

Scottie Graziosa is an accomplished orthopedic surgeon in the Bronx specializing in general orthopedics and sports injuries. Scottie started his martial arts training in 1978 in Tae Kwan Do. While a surgical resident he began training in Goju Ryu karate under sensei Al Hewitt for a number of years. In 1996 he began training under sensei Ismael Rodriguez in Genbukan Ninpo while starting his Aikido training formerly in 1999. Scottie now continues to train humbly in traditional Aikido under sensei Douglas Firestone, student of Yamada sensei a direct student of O’sensei.

Saturday July 24, Sunday July 25, 2010
Location: Sakura Budokan Dojo
Start Time: 10 AM

Seminar Registration Link:

https://www.sakurabudokan.com/news/seminar-registration

If you plan to attend, Please contact Long Sensei by phone(570-288-7865) or email clong@sakurabudokan.com
Do not miss this exceptional opportunity to train with some of the best Daito Ryu, Aikido and Sword Instructors outside of Japan!