Kenjitsu in General ( Newbie Questions)

[Andrew Johnston]

Hi There

Sorry to trouble you, I am new to the Japanese Martial arts, and I have a few questions concerning it. I really want to learn Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu , as I have a real intrest in the older style Ryu's. How does one go about training in Japan : I.e In Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu Hombu Dojo.

I am about to start Onoha IttoRyu which is the only Kenjitsu Dojo in my country ( I.e Northern Ireland). Would learning this style help me in any way if i was to Futhur my training at TSKSR.

I know you Probabaly get these questions all the time,but i do truly want to make an effort at this art.

Any help would be great.

Many Thanks
Andrew Johnston

P.s I cannot seem to get acess to the TSKSR site, it keeps saying "You are not authorized to view this page".

[Brian Owens]

They may have a "Members Only" website.

Currently the only legitimate TSKSR teacher outside of Japan that I am aware of is Phil Relnick sensei, and I've never seen him post here on E-Budo. He would be the best one to answer your question.

But just as an outsider's comment, I would think that studying any koryu bugei would give you worthwhile experience, whether or not you later went on to study TSKSR.

I do know that Relnick Sensei is also licensed in Shindo Muso Ryu, and some of his students practice both SMR and TSKSR, so certainly it is possible to study in more than one ryu.

In the mean time, study your Itto Ryu diligently. Learn Japanese if you don't already speak it, and take some advanced coursework if you do. This will prepare you for that day when you are able to make the move to Japan.

You could also look for a job in the Seattle, Washington, USA area, and seek entry to Relnick Sensei's dojo of course. We almost speak English here. ;)

Good luck in your quest.

[Steve Delaney]

Ono Ha Itto ryu in N.I. ???

I kind of doubt it. Have you done any homework on under whom the dojo instructor studied or his affiliations?


I don't know, but for what it's worth, why don't you try the British Kendo Assosciation or the Irish Kendo association.

I did happen to find the N.I. branch of the Eikoku Roshukai. Here's the website (http://www.roshukai-ireland.org/index.html) They're under the guidance of Iwata Norikazu sensei, who is a top-notch iai teacher. (Just ask Mr.Hyakutake! :D )

As for TSKSR, Japan or the United States would be the only options I'm afraid.


(Edited for spelling :P )

[Iron Chef]

Originally posted by Saitama Steve
...

I don't know, but for what it's worth, why don't you try the British Kendo Assosciation or the Irish Kendo association.
....

That's a good point in general I think. It worked well for me. My case may have been unusual but I don't think so. The way I got involved with MJER and SMR was through invovlement with Kendo. I met someone who knew someone etc.... and one day a wound up doing MJER and SMR. I didn't even have an interest in learning Jo. I just liked the guys from Kendo that were doing SMR and I was given an invite and it just happened. Kendo is a good way to make connections with people who study other ways of the sword.

Also, I think your odds of finding a 'legitimate' source of learning through this route is a lot better than yellow pages or the internet.

[Kaoru]

Hi Andrew-san,

Well, it so happens that I did a search almost a month ago for someone else, for Koryu/Kendo for somebody else in Northern Ireland.

I'll post what I found.

MJER

Muso Jikiden Eishen Ryu Iaido

Eikoku Roshukai dojo(Northern Ireland)
http://www.roshukai-ireland.org/index.html

KENDO

Here is the URL to the page with the dojos listed:

http://www.kendo-ireland.com/page2.htm

P.S. Oops! I came back to say I just checked out the link Steve-san gave out of curiosity, and found it was the same dojo I found. Sorry for the repetition!

[Chidokan]

dojo is o.k.... I know the guys who train there. If they give you any hassle tell John I'll kick his !!! next time I see him...:D

[Andrew Johnston]

Thank you all for you helpful info, I also found a email adress for Phil Relnick, would it be a good idea to email him, and ask more about this topic.

Thanks Andrew Johnston

[Daniel Lee]

Dear Andrew,

While there are a handful practitioners who have received permission to train Katori Shinto-ryu outside Japan (in England, Italy, Spain and the US), Phil Relnick-sensei is the senior-most foreign practitioner of the school today. Having practiced martial arts for more years than I've been alive, I'd certainly recommend you contact him to ask his thoughts about your martial arts ambitions. You should be able to reach him at this website (http://www.tenshinsho-den-katori-shinto-ryu.org).

Sincerely,

[Kaoru]

Hi!

I have a URL to the Ireland Katori Shinto Ryu website, but I can't get it to work. I'll put up two URL's and see if you guys can get either one to work. I found it on the Aikido Organisation of Ireland's website. I don't know who the sensei is, since I couldn't access the Katori Shinto Ryu website. If anyone knows if this is the real deal for a Katori Shinto Ryu dojo, please let me know, since I couldn't find out myself, thanks to the non-working site. I am assuming this is the same dojo you guys are talking about, so it's real, unless you guys say. (I hope I said all that ok. I didn't word it very well, I think. Sorry!)

I have the contact information. Is it proper to post it here?

The Katori Shinto Ryu site is listed here:

http://www.aikikai.ie/links.htm

It is listed in the General Interest box. I tried the link, but I can't get it to work. Maybe it will work for you guys.

And, here is the actual URL to the Katori Shinto Ryu site. Try getting to it either way. I hope it works. This one wouldn't work for me either.

http://www.aikikai.ie/ksrireland

I hope this helps!

[gmellis]

Mr. Johnston,
I have sent a reply several days ago to your e-mail address appearing in your profile here on e-budo, because your private messaging options is evidentally disabled. Please check your e-mail. You will find contact information in there for the nearest representative of the school, who should be able to assist you in your inquiries. Phil Relnick is responsible for the Americas, while this individual whose contact information I have included is responsible for the U.K., so you will eventually be redirected to him anyway.

As for URLs, there is only one homepage currently active whose creator is a genuine representative of the Shinbukan, and that is Phil Relnicks. There are many representatives qualified to teach, as Daniel has pointed out, but the people running homepages in Ireland ARE NOT AMONG THEM. You would do well to avoid contacting them if you want to be involved in genuine Katori Shinto Ryu.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Kaoru
...I am assuming this is the same dojo you guys are talking about, so it's real, unless you guys say...
Sorry, Kaoru-san; this is not the dojo we've been talking about.

The TSKSR dojo we've been referring to (Phil Relnick Sensei's dojo) is in Woodinville, Washington, USA.

Also, there's been discussion of the Roshukai in Ireland, but that's MJER, not TSKSR.

[Andrew Johnston]

Thank you all for your kind help, I really appreciate it and am able to work on some of the Advice.

Andrew Johnston

[Martyn van Halm]

Andrew,
Some links you can access:
http://aikidojo.nl/ksr_kata.html

This is from the AikiDojo Amsterdam. Instructor is Erik Louw sensei, who trained under Yoshio Sugino sensei in Japan.
http://aikidojo.nl/uploads/images/184/tateichimonji_klein_ZW.jpg

Follow this link for all the KSR info:
http://aikidojo.nl/ksr.html

In Ireland, Simone Chierchini, who studied under Yoshio Sugino and Erik Louw, has a dojo in Sligo.
http://www.aikidoinireland.org/admin/dispsensei.php3?sensei_id=32
http://www.aikikai.ie/default.htm

Aikido/KSR seminar by Erik Louw in 1998 at Sligo dojo:
http://www.aikikai.ie/louw98.htm

If you have trouble contacting someone, send me an e-mail.