Niten Ichiryu Musashi-Kai
2008 Seminar

Salt Lake City, Utah
April 25th - 27th

Miyamoto Musashi developed Niten Ichiryu (two-heaven one school) in the early 1600s; compared to other Japanese sword schools it is somewhat unique in its use of both the long and short swords simultaneously. Musashi was one of Japan's most skilled samurai and the most famous today. In Japan he is known as Kensei (sword-saint). History says he defeated about 60 swordsmen by the time he was 30. In his later life he dedicated himself to the arts of painting, calligraphy and woodcarving. In 1643 he wrote Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings), which passed on his knowledge of swordsmanship before his death in 1645.

It is an honor to have Niten Ichiryu Musashi Kai from Japan visit us for the purpose of instructing Niten Ichiryu and their style of Kendo Nito Ryu. Musashi Kai has inherited Musashi's two sword style and applies it practically in Kendo. Nakamura Sensei and Sasaki Sensei will be teaching key points from their book Kendo Nito-Ryu no Waza to Riron (Kendo two-sword techniques and theory).

This event is sponsored by The Mount Olympus Japanese American Citizens League, Nihon Matsuri, and Tomoko Consulting. Funded in part by the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Traditional Kendo is not a sport, but rather a mental discipline conditioning one's self to face a life or death confrontation. Kendo is a martial art; in order to defeat an apponent (who is also a disciplined swordsman) one must concentrate and focus their mind to defend an attack with innate skills that have been developed through daily practice.

Musashi-kai kendo was started in 1600 by Miyamoto Musashi, however, is still taught and practiced today. Kendo is not merely the knowledge of swordsmanship but it is how we should develop ourselves to be more human in our hearts, spirits and mental attitude in our every-day living.

A lapse in concentration, fear, or a moment of doubt can bring a swift defeat. A true swordsman is one who does not think of survival but rather has prepared themselves for death. If the swordsman's thoughts were of self-preservation, then they will be distracted. Therefore, kendo or the art of swordsmanship, is not a physical activity, but rather it is a mental discipline.

--Sasaki Hirotsugu

Budo Charter

Seminar Instructors

Nakamura Tenshin 17th Shihan of Heiho Tenka President, Niten Ichiryu Musashi Kai 10th Dan, Niten Ichiryu 5th Dan, Kendo 3rd Dan, Iaido Born in 1968 in Utsonomiya, Tochigi, Japan. Trained kendo under his father as a child. When he was in elementary school he entered the late Ogasawara Sabura School of Kendo. After graduating from high school, he entered Utsunomiya University majoring in education. While he was teaching in public high school he participated in kendo competitions and events as an amateur martial artist. In 1993, he suffered a spinal injury and was forced to give up kendo. While he was treated for spinal ailments, he discovered Nito kendo which relieved pressure on his hip and knee. Nito revived his will to recover and continue practicing kendo. During his teacher academic breaks he travelled throughout Japan challenging nito kendo artists in their dojos. In 1994, he travelled to Nagano where he met with Araseki Fumisaburo, the Shihan of nito. Araseki saw great skill, concentration, and insight in Nakamura. Nakamura stayed with Araseki until he mastered his sensei's skills. In 1998, Nakamura succeeded Araseki as the 17th Shihan of the school and converted its name to Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai. Nakamura moved the headquarters from Nagano to Utsunomiya and changed his name to Tenshin. Nakamura started teaching the newly organized Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai based on the techniques of Miyamoto Musashi who developed nito in the 1600s. Musashi regarded kendo to be a mental disciplined martial art.
Sato Futoshi Assistant Shihan, Heiho Tenka President, Board of Directors, Musashi Kai 8th Dan, Heido 6th Dan, Kendo Renshi	Okudaira Hirohisa Musashi Kai board memeber and district president 8th Dan, Heido 6th Dan, Kendo Renshi
Nagasaki Hisashi 6th Dan, Heido 5th Dan, Kendo	Fujii Ryoichi Kyushu branch president 4th Dan, Heido 7th Dan, Kendo Kyoshi (Nito) 3rd Dan, Iaido
Kashima Kazuhiko 5th Dan, Heido	Inoue Mitsuru 6th Dan, Heido

Schedule of Events

	Day	Event	Time	Location	Description
	Saturday, April 19th	"Samurai I"	3:00 pm	Salt Lake City Main Library 210 East 400 South Downtown Salt Lake City Map	This is the famous movie by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring Toshiro Mifune as Miyamoto Musashi. Although this is not a seminar event, it is offered free-of-charge to for those in Salt Lake City who may not be familiar with Musashi's history and would like to be exposed before the seminar. It will be preceeded by a Nito Kendo demonstration.
	Friday, April 25th	Introductory Workshop	6:00pm to 9:00pm	Cultural Celebration Center 1355 West 3100 South West Valley City Map	This is a free Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai introductory workshop, it is open to all experience levels. Those with no prior kendo experience and beginners are encouraged to attend. Experienced kendoka will learn more advanced techniques and help beginners.
	Saturday, April 26th	Nihon Matsuri Demos	11:00am and 2:00pm	Nihon Matsuri 250 West 100 South Downtown Salt Lake City Map	Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai will be demonstrating at the Japan Festival in downtown Salt Lake City. Seminar attendees are encouraged to attend the Japan Festival to show support and enjoy the festivities. This event is free-of-charge.
	Saturday, April 26th	Nito Ryu Seminar	4:00pm to 8:00pm	Rose Wagner Center 138 West 300 South Salt Lake City Map	Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai seminar at the Rose Wagner Center dance studio downstairs. Topics will be basics of Niten Ichiryu, Kata, and Nito Kendo waza. This event is for experienced kendo practitioners.
	Sunday, April 27th	Nito Ryu Seminar	10:00am to 6:00pm	Rose Wagner Center 138 West 300 South Salt Lake City Map	Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai seminar. Topics will be a continuation of Saturday's seminar, this event is for experienced kendo practitioners as well.

Social Gatherings

Saturday night we'll be holding an informal get-together for seminar participants. Everyone is welcome to come, bring your own food and drinks (there will be a grill available, there are also many food establishments very nearby). Time will be approximately 9:00 pm, the location is the Irving Schoolhouse Apartments (in the clubhouse) at 1155 East 2100 South, SLC. Here are Driving Direction from the seminar location; you may park on the East side of the complex.

We would like to invite everyone to join us in saying farewell to our honored guests from Japan. Sunday evening (around 7:00) at the Zen Buddhist temple in downtown SLC. This event is BYOB. The address is 211 West 100 South downtown SLC (within walking distance from the seminar location). Walking Directions

Seminar Fees

$30 pre-registration (before April 23rd)

$40 at-the-door

This covers the seminar on Saturday and Sunday. The workshop event on Friday, the Nihon Matsuri, and Musashi film are all free events.

At this time we are not able to offer any hotel discounts for this seminar.

Mazkiya USA

Recommended Equipment

Those attending the free workshop on Friday that have not had prior kendo experience should wear excercise clothing that is comfortable and allows free movement. We have a moderate amount of loaner equipment for new individuals available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Kendo Nito-Ryu no Waza to Riron This is a great book with many excellent illustrations. If you're serious about learning Niten Ichiryu Musashi-kai's Nito Kendo this is a must-have book. It is, however, in Japanese. You can order this book through E-Bogu.

For the seminar days catering to kendo practitioners you will need to provide your own equipment. In addition you will need a Nito Daito and Shoto set. The size of the Nito Daito is 37 (not the standard 39). You can fairly easily make your own shoto from a broken shinai you may have lying around. Here are some instructions for creating your own shoto.

Niten Ichiryu requires a specialized pair of bokken; they are lightweight, narrow, and fast. We will have some loaner sets, however, not many. If you're able, We'd recommend purchasing and bringing your own set. They are available at Bokkenshop in Japan, or more locally at E-bogu (might as well order the book with these).

Contact Info

For preliminary correspondence please email seminar@classicalkendo.org