Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Soke in Seattle (Bellevue).

[Brian Owens]

At this year's Aki Matsuri in Bellevue, Iwami Toshio Harukatsu Soke of Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu will be giving two Embu, one each on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Needless to say, this is an unprecedented opportunity for Pacific Northwesters to get a glimpse into this famous art directly from its highest authority.

For more information: Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association (http://www.enma.org/).

Hope to see some of you there.

[Brian Owens]

After today's embu, Iwami Toshio Soke gave a two-hour lecture to a group of about 60 intersted people. In attendance, among others, were the Honorable Mitsunori Namba, Consul General of Japan at Seattle; Pat Murosako Sensei, of Muso Shinden Ryu; and, of course, yours truly.

Iwami Sensei looked every bit the role of Budo Ambassador, dressed in black montsuki kimono and dark gray hakama. His lecture touched on the early life of Miyamoto Musashi, the founding of Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu, his own journey on the path to becoming the 11th headmaster, and it finished -- fittingly -- with a look at Musashi's Dokugyodo, written just seven days before the founder's death.

It wasn't a perfect experience for me. A woman sitting next to me kept talking to her companion during the translator's English segments, ignoring the fact that for people like me who don't speak Japanese she was as good as interrupting Iwami Sensei himself. My patience had about run out when the two of them got up and left...during a translation segment, of course. They didn't bow or even nod to Iwami Sensei as they left, which I found extremely rude.

Oh well. Other than that, it was an enjoyable two hours. I am definitely motivated to get out my copy of Gorin no Sho for a thorough re-reading.

I'll be there again tomorrow for the embu, and I'll try to get some pictures to post here if possible.

[Fred27]

Very nice! If you need a good gallery for yer pics I recommend Flickr. :)

[Brian Owens]

...I'll be there again tomorrow for the embu, and I'll try to get some pictures to post here if possible.

Well, I was there, but...

I was taking my camera out of my bag, when I heard a sickening thud. My lens had somehow become displaced, and when I pulled out the camera body the lens crashed to the pavement.

There was only a scratch on the outside, and a couple of chips in the UV filter, but after removing the filter and mounting the lens on the camera, everything looked fine...until I tried to focus. Then there was a grinding sound, and the whole lens fell apart.

Anyway, I took a few shots with my brother's point-and-shoot, but I'm not very familiar with that camera, so they're not very good.

Here they are anyway, since I promised I'd post some. Sorry for the poor quality.

[Fudo Myo-O]

Yes, this was a very good demonstration, I was lucky I was able to meet and get pictures with Iwami Toshio ,did you go to the $15 lecture to? I will see if I can upload some picture and video tomorrow of this.

[Brian Owens]

...did you go to the $15 lecture to? I will see if I can upload some picture and video tomorrow of this.

I did, but I was told that no photos or video were allowed at the lecture.

(Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.)

[hyaku]

Sorry to hear that Brain. Was that from the organizers or from us?

We have had quite a few problems in the past mostly France We were told a photographer was giving up his time to shoot our first visit. He presented us with pics and the end of our stay. Then when I put one pic online they complained as they were trying to sell the stuff!

I did, but I was told that no photos or video were allowed at the lecture.

(Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.)

[Brian Owens]

Sorry to hear that Brain. Was that from the organizers or from us?

I'm not positive, but I believe she was one of the organizers.

I did see someone else (maybe it was Anthony "Fudo Myo-o" Smith) taking photos, and he had a much nicer camera than I, so hopefully he will have some nice shots for you.

[Fudo Myo-O]

Sorry, it took so long for me to respond my computer has been down I had it repaired, but here are some pictures (I will put more on soon) and i'm trying to upload the videos to youtube but i'm having trouble with that. And about the taking pictures thing, I was told just to wait and ask if they would, Tom Brooke's (President of Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association ENMA) wife asked him for me and my case was a little special I came from past Spokane WA.

[Fudo Myo-O]

Sorry for the poor scans, but the paper I scanned was from the lecture. In my first post is Iwami Toshio's business card.

[ScottUK]

In my first post is Iwami Toshio's business card.I doubt Iwami-soke would appreciate you putting his telephone number on the net.

Hyaku? As mod can you remove it?

[George Kohler]

I removed it.

[Fudo Myo-O]

I'm greatly sorry I didn't realize it was on there. Sorry again.

[hyaku]

I can answer for Soke on this. Dont put anything on youtube!

Also its rather improper to put Meishi (Calling cards) online.

Sorry, it took so long for me to respond my computer has been down I had it repaired, but here are some pictures (I will put more on soon) and i'm trying to upload the videos to youtube but i'm having trouble with that. And about the taking pictures thing, I was told just to wait and ask if they would, Tom Brooke's (President of Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association ENMA) wife asked him for me and my case was a little special I came from past Spokane WA.

[Fudo Myo-O]

Sorry, once again and I will not put the videos on the net.

[hyaku]

No problem.

The Ryu or Soke has little internet presence apart from what we have put up with his permission. He is rarely home, only uses his mobile, speaks little English and emails no one. He alone has intellectual copyright over the right and chooses his own successors.

My homepage went up some years ago with permission from the 10th Soke to publicize some of his excellent work and lectures.

Let those who "think" they are connected with the ryu by self promotion try to push themselves through the net if they wish.

We the HNIR know who we are and what we are and that is sufficient.