Group photo after the 2018 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic

The 2018 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic occurred on April 28, 2018, hosted by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin at the American Legion Hall in Duluth, GA. The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. We would like to thank this local chapter for allowing us to utilize their facilities for IKKU events.

There was a good turnout with 26 participants for this special Iaido clinic. Participants gathered from across various IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union Dojos for the 1-day event. Dojo participation included Tora Shin Karate Kai, Keishin Karate Kai, Suansu Karate Kai, Kita Kaze Karate Kai, Robinson Karate Dojo & Yoga Center, and Ronin Bujutsu Kai. For over 30 years, we are proud to have Soke Joseph Ruiz, Hanshi-Sei and Founder of Kotosu-Ha Shito-Ryu and the International Karate Kobudo Union lends us his knowledge and expertise for such events.

Iaido Morning Session

During the early hours, participants with wooden bokken worked on Tachi Kaze Kata. This session was led by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, Chief Instructor of Keishin Karate Kai based out of Duluth, GA. Assisting Kyoshi-Sei Griffin was Shihan Dai Mike Hoffman, Chief Instructor of Kita Kaze Karate Kai out of Sugar Hill, GA.

Only after a practitioner reaches a certain level of proficiency and they have achieved a Brown Belt rank in Karate are they allowed to begin handling a live blade. The katana, being a live blade weapon demands much respect since it is such a dangerous weapon. One slip could literally cost someone a life or limb.

The Tachi Kaze Kata is a basic level Iaido Kata that focuses on cuts, footwork and general handling of the weapon. Participants worked this kata for the duration of the morning to ensure proper technique and memorization had occurred. In all, our Iaido art contains 5 full-length Kata following the Tachi Kaze Kata, Shodan – Godan.

Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin working Tachi Kaze Kata with the Bokken Group during the morning session

Hanshi Ron Downton, Chief Instructor of Tora Shin Karate Kai and Shihan Dai Mike Downton lead the live blade group on the main floor for the most part of the day with Soke Ruiz overseeing instruction. The Koga-Ryu Iaido system contains 20 cuts or Seitei Gata, as the whole of this art.  The live blade group worked approximately half of the Seitei Gata during the morning session. Participants were allowed to ask questions while Soke Ruiz answered and gave instruction during this session. Expertise levels of participants varied throughout the group from very proficient to novice, but as usual, the IKKU did a great job of teaching to all levels of practitioners.

Iaido Afternoon Session

During the afternoon sessions, the participants of the Bokken group started working partner bunkai drills. In this session, Bokken users begin to learn and simulate Iaido cuts on a live uke. This serves as the basis for these new level users while they begin to understand the application of cuts and just how much respect the katana demands.

The Live Blade Group jumped back in during the afternoon session and as the cuts progressed into more complicated combinations smaller groups began forming to drill earlier series of cuts. The main group with Hanshi Downton continued through the end of all 20 Seita Gata Cuts. During the later cuts both Katana and the shorter Wakizashi were utilized to finish out the day.

Group Iaido Cuts underway with Soke Ruiz closely watching

Wrapping Up

The 2018 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic was a successful clinic with no injuries occurring. Not too bad of a record for the 100+ man-hours performed on the floor for the duration of the event. For those that missed this special clinic, I would recommend you plan to attend the next such event. The Katana is said to be the Soul of the Samurai, so by learning this art you truly are walking in the footsteps of those that came before. The Live Blade Class is something special that a practitioner of Japanese and Okinawan Arts should attend every time the opportunity arises.

Additional IKKU Information

The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union provides a very balanced approach towards Martial Arts as a whole. We provide empty hand Karate, Okinawan Kobudo, Japanese Iaido, and Katsu-Ryu Kempo with roots back to China. Becoming a well rounded martial artist is much more than learning just one art. Why limit yourself when the sky is the limit.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

To locate a participating IKKU Dojo near you Click Here –> IKKU Dojos

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Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin teaching Bokken Basics to our next generation of IKKU Karateka at the 2017 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic

The 2017 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic occurred on April 22, 2017, hosted by Shihan Dai Amy Howell at the Legion of AllStars Gymnastics in Griffin, GA. There was a good turnout with 26 participants for this special clinic. Participants gathered from across various IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union Dojos for the 1-day event. Dojo participation included Tora Shin Karate Kai, Keishin Karate Kai, Suansu Karate Kai, Kita Kaze Karate Kai, Robinson Karate Dojo & Yoga Center, Carolina Karate Kai, and KYOSHINKAN.

The Katana and Bokken are true weapons of the Japanese Arts.  Soke Joseph Ruiz learned these weapons and art while training with his sensei in Hawaii and Japan.  He furthered his knowledge while training in the U.S. with Soke Shogo Kuniba, 10th Dan, of the Seishin Kai Karate Union.  Training with Soke Ruiz is always something special, but when the opportunity for the Katana arises it certainly is a rare combination and opportunity to train in a true Japanese Martial Art unlike any other. The Katana is considered to be the most dangerous and coveted weapon of Koga-Ryu Kobudo, which is one of the reasons this IKKU Annual Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic is so special.

During the early hours, all participants with live blades and wooden bokken worked on Tachi Kaze Kata. The Tachi Kaze Kata is a basic level Iaido Kata that focuses on cuts, footwork and general handling of the weapon. Participants worked this kata for a duration and then broke apart into smaller groups in the late morning hours. In all, our Iaido art contains 5 full-length Kata, Shodan – Godan. During the afternoon sessions, the participants were split into two groups. The primary group focused on live blades while the second group focused on the bokken. Soke Ruiz took time to move between the two groups to share his expertise where needed.

Shihan Dai Matt Downton and Shihan Dai Mike Downton lead the live blade group on the main floor for the most part of the day with Soke Ruiz overseeing instruction. The Koga-Ryu Iaido system contains 20 cuts or Seitei Gata, as the whole of this art.  The live blade group worked all 20 cuts/Seitei Gata during the course of the day. Expertise levels of participants varied throughout the group from very proficient to novice, but as usual, the IKKU did a great job of teaching to all levels of practitioners.

Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin of the Keishin Karate Kai instructed the participants that needed Tachi Kaze Kata or were new to the bokken. Kyoshi Kim Blue also helped assist this group during the afternoon sessions. After a practitioner reaches a certain level of proficiency they generally will move up into the Cuts and finally at some point in the future to the live blade. The katana, being a live blade demands much respect since it is such a dangerous weapon. One slip could literally cost someone a life.

The 2017 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic was a successful clinic with no injuries occurring. Not too bad of a record for the 100+ man-hours performed on the floor for the duration of the event. For those that missed this special clinic, I’d recommend you plan to attend the next such event when it’s scheduled. The Live Blade Class is something special that a practitioner of Japanese and Okinawan Arts should attend when the opportunity arises. Hopefully, we’ll see another class in 2017 on our schedule, or possibly it may make an appearance at the upcoming IKKU 31st Anniversary Summer Camp entitled “Camp Katsu”.

Additional IKKU Information

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2017 IKKU Camp Katsu. The event is scheduled on from June 7 through June 11, 2017, at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

To locate a participating IKKU Dojo near you Click Here –> IKKU Dojos

The post 2017 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Hanshi Ron Downton practices cuts against live attackers – Shihan Dai Matt Downton shown in Front and Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin shown Behind with Soke Ruiz instructing the drill.

The 2016 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic occurred on April 16, 2016, hosted by Shihan Dai Amy Howell at the Legion of AllStars Gymnastics in Griffin, GA. There was a good turnout with ~27 attendees for this special clinic. Participants gathered from across various IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union Dojos for the 1 day event. Dojo participation included Tora Shin, Keishin Karate Kai, Suansu Karate Kai, Kita Kaze Karate Kai and Robinson Karate Dojo & Yoga Center.

The Katana and Bokken are true weapons of the Japanese Arts.  Soke Joseph Ruiz learned these weapons and art while training with his sensei in Hawaii and Japan.  He furthered his knowledge while training in the U.S. with Soke Shogo Kuniba, 10th Dan, of the Seishin Kai Karate Union.  Training with Soke Ruiz is always something special, but when the opportunity for the Katana arises it certainly is a rare combination and opportunity to train in a true Japanese Martial Art unlike any other. The Katana is considered to be the most dangerous and coveted weapon of Koga-Ryu Kobudo, which is one of the reasons the 2016 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic was so special.

During the early hours the all participants learned how to properly suit up in a Hakama as well as strap on a live Katana. Following this potion of the class the group as a whole began working on the first several of many cuts for the day. Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin and Renshi Sensei Nadine Oka both assisted with the participants that were new to the bokken. During the afternoon sessions the participants were primarily split into two groups. The primary group focussed on live blades while the the secondary group focused on the bokken.

Renshi Sensei Nadine Oka of the Keishin Karate Kai lead the bokken group on the secondary floor. This group spent much of the day focusing on Tachi Kaze Kata. The Tachi Kaze Kata is the first we teach in the IKKU and it helps instill the foundation of cuts, footwork and handling of the bokken. After a practitioner reaches a certain level of proficiency then they generally will move up to the live blade, which as you know is a dangerous weapon and deserves much care and attention while handling.

Soke Joseph Ruiz led the Live blade group on the main floor with Hanshi Ron Downton and Shihan Dai Matt Downton assisting as leaders of the group. Soke also took time to move between the two groups to share his expertise where needed. The Koga-Ryu Iaido system contains 20 cuts or Seitei Gata, as the whole of this art. In addition it also contains 5 full length Kata, Shodan – Godan. The live blade group had their hands full for the entire day as all 20 cuts/Seitei Gata were taught and practiced. Expertise levels of participants varied throughout the group from very proficient to novice, but as usual the IKKU did a great job of teaching to all levels of practitioners.

Needless to say the 2016 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic was a successful clinic with only 1 minor injury occurring at the end of the day. Not too bad of a record for the 100+ man hours performed on the floor for the duration of the event. For those that missed this special clinic, I’d recommend you plan to attend the next such event when it’s scheduled. The Live Blade Class is something special that a practitioner of Japanese and Okinawan Arts shouldn’t avoid when the opportunity arises. Hopefully we’ll see another class in 2017 on our schedule, or possibly it may make an appearance at the upcoming IKKU 30th Anniversary Summer Camp entitled “Camp Koga”.

To read more about the IKKU Click Here –> IKKU Welcome

To locate a participating IKKU Dojo near you Click Here –> IKKU Dojos

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