Iaido

20th Anniversary Ishido Cup, Vianen, Netherlands

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

20th Anniversary Ishido Cup, January 2018

The 20th anniversary Ishido Cup, named after senior teacher Ishido Sensei, was held over four days in Vianen (Netherlands). This was the largest jodo and iaido seminar and competition Europe has ever seen with over 100 people for jodo and ~200 for iaido.

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7 Days of Training in the Netherlands – Phew!

Thursday, September 1st, 2016

7 Days of Training in the Netherlands – Phew!

Kashiwa dojo had a great 5 days in Amsterdam at the Netherlands Kendo Association 50th anniversary summer seminar. Congratulations to students Isa Carbone, who passed ikkyu in both jodo and iaido, and Abdul Oyede who passed ikkyu iaido.

In both the iaido and jodo seminars we whizzed through seitei and then focussed on koryu: Jodo omote and chudan with Ishido Sensei, Otake Sensei, Shoji Sensei, Yoshimura Sensei, Rene Sensei and European nanadan sensei. Was great having the opportunity to compare Fukuoka and Tokyo styles thanks to Otake and Shoji Sensei’s many embu.

Then Shinkage ryu iaido with Matsuoka Sensei and Kinomoto Sensei; Lots of bokuto training!

Then on to Utrecht for two more days with Matsuoka and Kinomoto Sensei for the Himawari seminar: One day of seitei iai and then another day of shinkage ryu. Absolutely wonderful!

Huge thanks to all the teachers for working, and working us, so hard; the organisers for doing such a great job, Andy Watson (Ryoshinkan Dojo) for tireless English/Japanese translation and of course the Shinkage Ryu Family Europe for making us feel so welcome.

From left to right: Abdul Oyede, Isa Carbone, Kinomoto Sensei, Matsuoka Sensei, Will Heal.

From left to right: Abdul Oyede, Isa Carbone, Kinomoto Sensei, Matsuoka Sensei, Will Heal.

Watching Matsuoka Sensei demonstrate (Photo credit Elise Heijboer).

Watching Matsuoka Sensei demonstrate (Photo credit Elise Heijboer).

Haru Seminar, Utrecht, Netherlands March 2016

Thursday, March 17th, 2016

Haru Seminar, Utrecht, Netherlands March 2016

Last weekend Will and Rafal attended the Haru Seminar in Utrecht. Matsuoka Sensei led the two day seminar teaching Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iaido on the Saturday and Shinkage Ryu Iaido on the Sunday. It was a fantastic seminar and lovely reunion with the European Shinkage Family. (more…)

2015 European Iaido Championships, Berlin

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

2015 European Iaido Championships, Berlin

So, that’s another European Iaido Championships over; Huge thanks to the German Iaido and Kendo Federations and the European Kendo Federation for all their hard work to make it happen and run smoothly. Thanks to the ZNKR delegation, Yamazaki Sensei, Kusama Sensei and Azuma Sensei for their teaching and supervision of the event and to all the referees (more than a few difficult fights to judge). Thanks also to all the competitors (from 22 countries) for making it such a really warm and friendly event, the European Shinkage Ryu Family for a lovely reunion and to the Great Britain Iaido Squad for all their hard work and dedication.

Bronze medals for Kashiwa teacher and GB squad manager Will Heal, plus for Kashiwa friends Andy Watson (Ryoshinkan Dojo teacher) and Dan Silk (Seirenkan Dojo teacher). Another Kashiwa friend Ben Emberley (Taigakai Dojo) won a Fighting Spirit medal. A really great result for team GB.

Thanks also to Kevin McNeill (Ojika Dojo) for helping Will with squad management duties while he was competing.

An excellent few days in Berlin and see you all in Budapest next year!

Photos courtesy of Chris Weber 2015© (http://www.chrisweberpics.com/)

Will’s semi-final match against Adam Bieniak of Poland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H_rd9b8UeE

Shiai EIC_Squad Will_Bronze EIC_Training

2014 European Iaido Championships, Helsinki, Finland

Friday, November 7th, 2014

The Great Britain iaido squad, referees and supporters are just back from the 21st European Iaido Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Congratulations to Kristina Poslusna and Andy Watson for winning bronze medals.

Well done also to (more…)

BKA Iaido and Jodo National Championships 2014

Monday, June 2nd, 2014

Team Kashiwa had a great Nationals this year, winning silver in the iaido team competition, bronze in the jodo team competition and Will won a bronze in the jodo individuals and picked up the fighting spirit award for the jodo team event. Huge thanks to all that helped organise and run the events, (more…)

BKA Iaido Spring Seminar 2014

Monday, April 7th, 2014

Just back from a great iaido spring seminar in Stevenage (05/04/14-06/04/14). Very intensive training and lots of detailed technical information relayed to us from the senior Japanese delegation who attended the High-Grade Seminar a few weeks ago. One of the best organised seminars I’ve been to, with a great balance of training and discussion (i.e. not too much discussion!). Many thanks to the BKA iaido bu for all their efforts.

Congratulations go to (more…)

2013 Iaido and Jodo Nationals

Monday, January 27th, 2014

William was at the 2013 Iaido and Jodo Nationals… Not a bad haul (iaido 2nd dan individuals bronze, jodo 1st dan individuals bronze, jodo 3-person team silver. Was co-opted to the Ojika Dojo team who were a man down – Ha’way the lads!)

William was at the 2013 Iaido and Jodo Nationals... Not a bad haul (iaido 2nd dan individuals bronze, jodo 1st dan individuals bronze, jodo 3-person team silver. Was co-opted to the Ojika Dojo team who were a man down - Ha'way the lads!)