Mountain Wind Aikikai Dojo Group

18/11/2023

Welcome to a couple of our new students, Peter and his dad, Wayne! Wayne just received his uniform and now they look sharp, and, well, uniform. 🙂.

07/11/2023

Yes!

04/11/2023

Oh yeah!!

31/10/2023

I’d love to train next time I’m in Morocco!

20/09/2023

Mountain Wind Is honored to have joined the Seitokai, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu’s orthodox lineage, directly under the 23rd Soke, Fukui Masato Sensei. A HUGE thanks and shout out goes to Watanabe Sensei, Ishida Sensei, Shibata Senaei, Ali Sensei and the Keido Eishin Kai Dojo, which I am now honored to have joined as a student. Check out: https://www.keido-eishin-kai.com/instructors

09/05/2023

A perfect spring evening: cool even breeze on a warm lawn, students all making clear progress, and we enjoyed Tachi Uchi No Kurai (techniques usually reserved for advanced students — but I needed to practice). Also, happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

16/04/2023

Spring has been absolutely gorgeous here in the Quad Cities. It’s perfect for some iaido practice in front of the historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion!

16/04/2023

Spring has been absolutely gorgeous here in the Quad Cities. It’s perfect for some iaido practice in front of the historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion! Please forgive the hasty retreat and stumble into jodan no kamae.

02/04/2023

Look closely at the pictures. Those in our dojo group know that we order all our swords from Igarashi San at Nosyudo. I was happy to go back and visit him after many years. We had a delightful day together, training at two local dojo and viewing the excellent new and antique swords at his shop. We took an quick trip through the sword museum in Seki City. They’re doing an exhibit on a popular anime Ruroni Kenshin. Two master sword smiths recreated the hero’s and villain’s swords. As luck would have it, one of them stopped by the museum! The 26th generation Fujiwara Kanefusa! He created Mugenjin, the unlimited blade, which features teeth cut into the edge and a hamon that represents fire. So cool!

30/03/2023

https://japandaily.jp/iaido-ancient-art-swordsmanship-entering-new-age-5139/?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR3B40bVPJQoqZG_SH1mwj7QyO5u1UUyvI7G229-vWfFt7olAjbTQxaYTjo&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

For those who have never heard the word, Iaido is a Japanese martial art which trains you, in both body and mind, how to properly use a Katana for

18/03/2023

Hey friends, check out this awesome training opportunity. Friedl Shihan is one of my favorite instructors to train with! As a founding trustee of Aikido Mountain West, of course I recommend it highly. Great people and good times await those who attend.

18/03/2023

令和５年３月５日（日）、第４７回全日本居合道連盟関東地区連盟大会が入間市武道館で開催され、１８０名近い関東地区の剣士が一堂に集まり、少し寒さの和らいだ初春の１日、熱い戦いを繰り広げました。
大船道場からは、選手として、櫻井剣士と吉田剣士が七段の部で出場し、それぞれ日頃の鍛錬の技で勝敗を競いました。　結果は、櫻井剣士が見事に七段の部で準優勝を獲得ました。
鈴木範士が特別演武として、真剣で太刀打之位と詰合之位を披露し、花田八段、金子教士が太刀打之位演武に出場しました。
鈴木藩士が総合司会、花田八段と金子教士が実行委員として活躍されました。最後に大会関係者の皆様、本当にご苦労様でした。

03/03/2023

After a short stop in Japan, I departed this morning headed to Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea before I return. Looking forward to a some iaido and aikido!!

01/03/2023

In the tatehiza technique Oroshi (our dojo’s namesake) an attacker attempts to grab the handle of your sword, presumably preventing you from drawing while someone else attacks. You move to trap his hand and break his wrist before cutting into the edge of his chest armor. Digging the tip into the wound, you push him across, finish him with a downward cut, and put your sword away demonstrating awareness and dignity.

28/02/2023

Running through some tatehiza last night. :-)

08/01/2023

06/01/2023

Here’s a fun little video about iaido. The narrator’s voice though! https://fb.watch/hTra2uHUK9/?mibextid=v7YzmG

02/01/2023

A message from Doshu. Happy New Year, y'all!

19/12/2022

https://daily.jstor.org/onna-bugeisha-female-samurai-warriors-feudal-japan/?fbclid=IwAR3P1ykGxArJwDzltnVf8StJ0Xgb5NLJGrnbxFSTGSyjKnuzcW7KFtfQ8bA

In 1868 a group of female samurai took part in the fierce Battle of Aizu for the very soul of Japan.

29/11/2022

Migi — At first glance, it looks so simple: just turn and cut. It took me about ten years to feel like I could do it without completely blowing it…. I’m coming up on thirty years in training (this spring) and, I really feel like I’m starting to get it.

15/11/2022

Hi Everyone! Some of you may know I helped some friends and students start a dojo several years ago in Salt Lake City. Check out this cool T-shirt fundraiser! Whatever martial art you study, you'd look awesome in one of these.

Nationally martial arts schools have struggled in the past couple of years. Help us continue to offer a welcoming space to provide quality training to the Salt Lake City community.

06/11/2022

Sword drawing techniques like these two were designed to be done in light armor. Each technique has a scenario. In the first, someone sitting to your right attempts to grab the handle of your sword. Catching and trapping his hand, you step out and break his wrist. Closing the distance, you draw and cut the weak point in his armor (his right shoulder). Twisting the blade and slicing under the armor, you push cut across his chest, which pushed him over to your right. You adjust and make a final downward cut. In the second technique, someone grabs your scabbard from behind, attempting to push it forward so you cannot draw it out. You stand and twist the scabbard, breaking his grip before creating space to draw, turning and thrusting into the attacker. As he falls, you make a final cut and resheath your sword, standing with dignity.

06/11/2022

Here’s a fun technique! Ko Tekki Gyakuto (rearward inverse cut). As with them all, much harder than it looks and filled with nearly imperceptible details. Please forgive the slight forward Kean during kirioroshi — a result of sever spinal damage.

20/10/2022

Wow!!

Himeji Castle looking amazing on a late September night in fall.

Photo by chigusa

06/10/2022

06/10/2022

Here's a link to a ZNIR sixth-dan grading demo in Japan.
https://fb.watch/f-3xxA-Lh5/

06/10/2022

Max Roach performing Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, ukenagashi (receiving the flow).

04/10/2022

Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, Seiza No Bu: Migi