'Essential batto & Kenjutsu: Killing Arts Of the Japanese Sword'

Hi,
Sorry for randomly appearing in a thread so late

If you are speaking of Iwata Norikazu sensei, I must confess I have not heard of your teacher.
I have studied Iwata senseis Iai for some years now, and the group in the UK is relatively small.
Iwata sensei would not award or accept a grade (especially a 6th dan) lightly and with no certificate, as this was not his way.
It would be interesting for me to hear some more information on this if you have any. I am allways interested in hearing about the history of the school and organisation.
Thanks

 

Sorry for the double post, I just noticed that on the website Muso Shinden Ryu is mentioned.
Unless I am not looking hard enough, Jikiden is not listed.
Iwata sensei chose to teach us Tanimura-ha when he first came over to the UK.
Did your teacher get to visit him in Japan and do Shimamura-ha? or did he just do Jikiden like you said above?

Thanks in advance for your reply

 

My sensei is unsure as to how long he trained but yes, it was indeed an Iwata Norikazu, I've been told Brian Wrightson sensei was a member of an Eikoku Roshukai?
He attended seminars with Iwata sensei, Wrightson sensei held Iwata sensei in high regard and had a photo of them both together around 2000ish.

Unfortunately, I do not know much more on the subject, as you've probably guessed I'm literally learning all of this now. I've also only heard of Iwata sensei yesturday, looking into the life of Iwata Norikazu, he appears to have been a great man and must have been a true honour to study under.

 

My sensei has said he will do some digging and contact friends of both Wrightson sensei and Iwata sensei to gather more information as to their connection.

I await his reply on the subject.

 

Thanks for the quick reply and the digging
I look forward to hearing what you find out.
I will ask the seniors if they know of him too.
Cheers

 

Cool, me too on all counts above. Can I be rokudan instead of my lowly godan?

 

No no no. I'm looking forward to calling you a gonad for a few years yet.

 

Jim'll Fix It, oh wait ... too soon?

The Bear.

 

This was not me saying it is fact that he achieved this grade, this was me showing that they had, in fact, met.
Unfortunately the photo was destroyed, along with plenty of other documents upon Wrightson sensei's passing. I have seen the photo myself but I understand this is not proof enough for you all. If you wish, you may disregard the photo comment entirely.

 

That seems a bit contradictory.

 

So what? I met him and got my pic with him but that means nothing - other than good, albeit brief, memories of the guy.

Rottunpunk has contacted her seniors about Mr Wrightson's involvement with Iwata-sensei. We shall see what they come back with. THAT will be proof enough as some of them were very close with Iwata-sensei.

 

Oh right, are you referring to my "I only heard of Iwata sensei yesturday" bit?

I'd seen the photo before, I only found out who the other person in the photo was yesturday.

 

That is fair enough, I too would like to know the hows and whens of their connection.

 

Mr Schofield,

You'd be better of remaining schtum for a while, there has been a couple of occasions now where what you have said has appeared a little wonky, lets say.

Let your teacher do what he is doing and see what comes of it. Be a student and not so much of a mouthpiece.

Your teacher is, from the looks of it, taking a big step and it is probably best to let him get on with it rather than fanning the flames.

 

Were they destroyed in a fire?

 

Sorry chaps, but the most senior guys in Eikoku Roshukai don't believe that Mr Wrightson was 'recognised' as rokudan by Iwata-sensei.

Reply 1:

Reply 2:

This is straight from the guys who were closest to Iwata-sensei in the UK. If anything was being done in the UK with Iwata-s, they knew about it.

Sorry to post this, but it seems that somewhere along the line, this 'recognition' story was fabricated.

 

Thank you for asking for us. If they have not heard of him (or knew of him attending once, as in one example) then it is something I can remove in regards to our history.

Now that's cleared up, my lack of knowledge of our history has only really managed to make things worse so I shall leave you to discuss matters with Taran sensei.

 

If what I am about to ask is too personal, you aren't under any duress to respond. I was just wondering if anything that you have just experienced has impacted your thoughts or plans on training in your chosen art? Thoughts? Comments?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

 

Bruce - it is not too personal a question, indeed it is a fair one.

In short, no, I do not intend on changing my school.


Here's the answer gravy as to why...
my ju jutsu (or Aiki Ju Jutsu, or whatever you wish to call it) is right for me.
I said in a previous post that I do not prioritise ancestry and this is true, I'm not the type of man to sell out his beliefs so easily.
I always aim to improve my own ability and technical understanding of not just my own martial art but others also. When I come across a technique which appears dubious or one that is in-affective due to my build I adjust it accordingly, I've always done this.
An example being "Gendai hip throws", like this one I pulled off youtube - [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDWtRtJ23cM&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]O Goshi (Instruction) - YouTube[/ame] - notice he leaves his head and back nicely exposed for his opponent. Our own system uses a similar version which I dislike.

I instead push my head into their chest, keeping it tight into my opponent's body. Using my own body weight to take their balance before engaging the throw. (I learnt this while watching another sensei)

The gendai hip throw has the advantage of allowing you to throw opponents far heavier than you but only if there is no resistence (as in most training environments)
Where as "my" version of a hip throw is only useful against people of a similar build so in a real scenario I would not use a hip throw against a large opponent as it will probably fail everytime.

There are techniques in our system that do not suit my needs but there are many more that do. Some throws are built for 20 stone behemoths but many more aren't.

I wish to also develop my striking - the hows, whys and wheres - kempo does not fit me comfortably and so I have never taken to it, for this I will look to a sensei with specialist training in regards to striking, which is fair enough in my opinion.

My sensei have always given me the creative freedom and rite to think for myself which many schools simply would not allow. I do not intend on teaching others (let's hope i'm never made to) so what I learn truly is for my own benefit.

I hope this explains my stance a little better.

 

Yes; thank you very much. I had to smile as I read your response as I stayed with my own teacher until he passed away for very much the same reason. Over the years my own teach commented that he taught us only the "skeleton" of our Hapkido KWAN. It remained our responsibility to "flesh-out" the skeleton as our own needs and goals directed us. For myself, the study of sword was huge while other folks focused on Cane, or Staff. To each his own. I think your attitude will stand you in good stead.

Best Wishes,

Bruce