Hello,
Kenshin dojo is the place where I train at in Phoenix Arizona with Corella sensei. The gentleman with the fan from one of the videos is Toyoda Sensei, with whom I trained this summer, and he is the head of our school of Araki Muninsai Ryu Iaido. While I was over there I watched many kenbu practices, but I focused on iaido. Toyoda Sensei also teaches senbu--fan dancing-- but neither it nor kenbu are related to Araki Ryu Iaido, besides the general connections to all Iaido, or more precisely, all such traditional Japanese cultural entities. We do some kenbu here in Phoenix, and demonstrate one or two dances for the Phoenix Matsuri in March.
I really don't think Toyoda Sensei will answer many questions himself but if you have some, PM me and I will try to pass them on to Corella sensei. Toyoda Sensei will be leaving tomorrow back to Himeji, Japan. He has been here for the last week for seminars and training as he does every year. I doubt Toyoda Sensei will answer questions mainly because of the language barrier and the lack of formal introduction. But you can always start training with him maybe.
If you find yourself near Himeji next June (Himeji is close to Kobe) don't miss the 20th anniversary of the Meirin Kai Association, headed by Toyoda. There will be many kenbu and senbu dances as well as enbu of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido. It will be quite extraordinary. Unfortunately, I will be paying off my credit debt from my recent trip so I won't be there to introduce anybody. But if you are interested, I can tell you the specifics of where and when as it approaches.
As far as how Toyoda Sensei chooses poems, who he works with to sing the songs, and how the dances are made, I know only a little bit so I don't feel too comfortable discussing much on the forum. I have a tape or two of the songs, but I can't make copies, nor can I put them on the net. Sound quality is too poor. We have other videos from enbus, and songs for those of us learning the dances, but those you have seen are the only ones up for public use.
Last edited by nicojo; 29th August 2004 at 23:01.
J. Nicolaysen
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"I value the opinion much more of a grand master then I do some English professor, anyways." Well really, who wouldn't?
We're all of us just bozos on the budo bus and there's no point in looking to us for answers regarding all the deep and important issues.--M. Skoss.