Mugai Ryu Schools in America

[Paulo K. Ogino]

Does anybody know if there are Mugai Ryu schools in USA, and latinamerica? I know there are some in Canada, but I'd like to know if there are any in the states and if possible in latinamerica. Thankz!!!!! :D

[renfield_kuroda]

I believe Sakimukai-sensei (http://www.chintokan.com/) teaches Mugairyu, though the 9th dan in iai that is listed on his homepage did not come from Shiokawa-gosoke, and I don't know what his credentials are for Mugairyu. I don't know what other iai he teaches, but I do know his karate dojo is associated with Shiokawa-gosoke's karate dojo.

Regards,

r e n

[Aikisean]

Currently, my aikido school is studying the Mugai ryu Iaihyodo, Kuniba ryu (a version altered by Shogo Kuniba; uncertain of his Mugai ryu history and will not speculate) and the seitei kata. We are training using a set of video tapes aquired with the help of Mr. Kuroda. Whenever a seminar surfaces for Mugai Ryu in America, we will be there hoping to become members. All are welcome to come train here in Hampton, Virginia.

www.aikikai.us

[renfield_kuroda]

Just a clarification: the tapes are from the NPO Hougyokukai, the organization (founded by Shiokawa-gosoke, 15th, and Niina-gosoke, 16th) to promote traditional Japanese martial arts including Mugairyu Iaihyodo. Kuniba-sensei has no association with Hougyokukai, though he used to be a student of Nakagawa-gosoke (13th).
The tapes are meant as a practice aid and not a replacement for live instruction. To that end we hope to have some instructors in North America this summer to hold some seminars. Announcements will follow once details are finalized!

Regards,

renfield kuroda

[Aikisean]

Looking forward to it!

[JAMJTX]

There are a number of Mugai Ryu schools in the U.S.
Probably the most senior of the Mugai Ryu teachers in the U.S. is Darrell Craig of Houston.
Also Butch Velez in NC also teaches Mugai Ryu. His AGK has several schools around the country.
They were both senior student of Shogo Kuniba. Soke Kuniba seems to be the root of Mugai Ryu in the U.S. There have been schools since here the early 1970's.

Jim Mc Coy

[JAMJTX]

Shogo Kuniba learned the art directly from Soke Ishi Gogetsi (not sure of the spelling of this name)
At some point in time Kata were changed and the name Kuniba Ryu came about. But his earlier students are very well trained in the version of Mugai Ryu that Master Kuniba learned. There have been recent modifications to the Mugai Ryu kata and there are at least 5 (maybe 6 now) different Mugai Ryu organizations with no clear claim by anyone to be Soke.
Darrell Craig has 2 very good books and an excellent video showing the sitting kata that he learned from various Sensei

jm

[renfield_kuroda]

Originally posted by JAMJTX
there are at least 5 (maybe 6 now) different Mugai Ryu organizations with no clear claim by anyone to be Soke.

There are several lines that practice Mugairyu, and they all have legitimate Soke.
In Japan Mugairyu Iaijutsu and Mugairyu Iaihyodo split several decades ago when the Takahashi family grandson continued as Soke of Mugairyu Iaijutsu while at the same Nakagawa-gosoke became 13th Soke of Mugairyu Iaihyodo. Kuniba-sensei, before going to the US, earned 4dan from Mugairyu Iaihyodo under Ishii Gogetsu, the 14th Soke.
Currently Shiokawa-gosoke is the 15th soke of Mugairyu Iaihyodo, and the Takahashi family continues on the tradition of Mugairyu Iaijutsu.

There are other lines as well, to be expected with a koryu over 300 years old, but they all have clear and legitimate Menkyo-Kaiden, and are generally not contested. There simply is no one 'Mugairyu'.
Tsuji Gettan Tsukemochi, the founder of Mugairyu, originally studied Yamaguchi-ryu, and later incorporated Jiko-ryu, giving birth over the centuries to to Mugairyu Kenjutsu, Mugairyu Iaijutsu, Mugairyu Iaihyodo, Kuniba-ha Mugairyu, etc...

Regards,
renfield kuroda

[JAMJTX]

Ren,

Since you now finally admit that there is more than 1 Mugai Ryu line with more than 1 Soke, why do you still have this attitude that if someone did not get his rank from YOUR Soke, then that rank is not legitmate?
I know of no one in the U.S. that is senior to Darrell Craig in Mugai Ryu. He may know of someone, but I do not.
Shogo Kuniba planted the first seeds of Mugai Ryu in the U.S. a long time ago. And there are a number of highly skilled and highly qualified teachers who have worked very hard to promote Mugai Ryu and they deserve a lot of credit.
If anyone is looking for Mugai Ryu instruction in the U.S. they will be best served by finding those earlier (pre-Kuniba Ryu) students of Shogo Kuniba. The one to start with is Darrell Craig (even though Kuniba was not his primary teacher). Look to the AGK (www.americangoshinkobudo.com) beyond that.

Jim Mc Coy

[kyoshinkan]

I was a student of iaido under Kuniba, Shogo. And Butch and I were one of the first people to receive dan certification from Soke. As to the other name mentioned by JM all I can say is ??????????????????

As Yamashita, Sensei once told me - anyone can write a book, but you will see if they know what they are talking about when they do a video.

The original forms that Kuniba taught me were: shin, ren, sa, yu, sha, hibiki, riken, hibiki gaeshi, riken gaeshi, tsuki age, makko, nukido. And on the funny side - I do have this in a scroll form in Kuniba's hand. That will probably being a discussion later. lol

There are more, and maybe these are modified - but they are what I know and learned from my teacher.

As for Iai training now, get up with Rob Rivers in Virginia. He is involved in the association in japan and is a good source.

Lenny Jordan

[Paulo K. Ogino]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback... how may I contact Rob Rivers in Virginia? any email, or website?

How about the dan grading system in Mugai Ryu? how long does the study take?

Thanks a lot!!!!

[R A Sosnowski]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback... how may I contact Rob Rivers in Virginia? any email, or website?

How about the dan grading system in Mugai Ryu? how long does the study take?

Thanks a lot!!!!
Rob Rivers heads a study group under Tony Alvarez. I suggest contacting "Big Tony" (contact info. here: Japan/North America Contacts (http://www.iai.gr.jp/hp/english/contact.html)).

[robertmrivers]

Paulo

You can PM me...I'd be happy to talk to you.

Rob Rivers

[carl mcclafferty]

Folks:

Dave Drawdy, Rob Rivers, Ken Ker, Brian Pettitt and Joshua Bagley all did great at the Tucson Summer Tai Kai. They're all in Tony Alvarez's group.

Carl McClafferty
PS Lenny don't think anyone will comment on the late Kuniba Sensei. Tonya and I were going to visit with Butch when he was in Phoenix, but he had something come up.