Kenseido

[KenseidoKyoshi]

All over the web, people are wondering what Kenseido is? The Japanese web site of Kenseido including the Kenseido.net site and many others, are in Japanese and hard for people to read. The English site www.kenseido.com will help a bit.
Here is a simple outline to start with.
The Art of Kenseido: Kenseido is a perfect balance of direct (Yang) and indirect (Yin) techniques. The Kenseido way of training provides you with effective self-defense and a source for attaining the vital life-skills of mental, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Kenseido stems from the methods of the Shorinji (Japanese for Shaolin) and includes the skills also found in Aikido, Aiki-Jujitsu, Karate & Kung Fu. Kenseido was founded by Akizuki Masayuki and is still led by the Akizuki family today. Kenseido is based in the Kanto region of Honshu, Japan.

The School: Here at the Kenseido United States Headquarters School, students learn the art in English and in Japanese. The culture and language help create a respectful, focused, sincere, and enriching environment within which the students can safely grow and develop. Kenseido is recognized and endorsed by the Texas State Attorney General Greg Abbott, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and U.S. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez who have all stated that Kenseido is helping to build a better community as it builds the inner strength of its members by improving their “physical intelligence and mental fitness”. These statements were echoed by San Antonio’s Mayor, the City Council and County Sheriff Lopez. Our students, who range from the very young, working on coordination and focus, to adults, regaining physical vitality and mental vigor, gain certification from the Headquarters in Japan for their accomplishments, as the dojo is fully accredited. The training is right-paced for each student.

Instructors; Shihan Winslow Swart, M.A.A., is the highest ranking teacher of Kenseido outside of Japan. His four decades of martial arts experience and extensive training in Japan translates into quality instruction for you, the Kenseido student. Shihan Swart is the Chief Representative for Kenseido in the U.S.. Sensei Pamela Swart and Sensei Gadier Garcia round out the core teaching team, supported by an adjunct staff of Black Belts and interns.
Shihan Swart trains with Akizuki Takayoshi, the Doshu-sensei, or Grand Master, in Nagareyama-shi, and with Hasegawa Tetsuo, Rigi-cho and Kyoshi Shihan of the Kensiedo Tokiwa Daira Shibu.
Students: The feedback we get from students is that joining Kenseido far exceeded their initial expectations. While everyone begins at a slightly differently place, the diverse learner characteristics are taken into consideration so that their training will be purposeful and rewarding.

BTW: Anyone claiming to know or teach Kenseido in the U.S., you can check with us for their creds. We appreciate the heads up.

[KenseidoKyoshi]

At the Kenseido Beikoku So Hombu, US HDQ Dojo, students can examine and rank up to the Third Dan, Black Belt level (San Dan, Jun-Renshi). From the Fourth-Dan Red Belt (Aka Obi) rank and upwards, examinations must take place at the Kenshukai, the Shihan's Gasshuku, in Kashima-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan. All shihan exams take place in front of the 100+ Japanese Shihan's and council of elders and Riiji, directors of Kenseido.

After attending these events, I must say they are truly milestones in a persons life that is worth all the commitment and dedication it takes to get there.

The MenKyoSho is the certification recieved for shihan, versus the NinKaJyo for Black Belts, and GoGakuShyo for Mudansha.

[pgsmith]

Interesting Mr. Swart,
I've never run across Kenseido, so it was interesting to find out about it. I don't think the "News from Japan" forum is really the proper place for it, but the mods will move it if they deem it necessary.

I do have to say that I really don't care for all of the political endorsements that you listed. While they may look impressive for attracting new students, this is a Japanese martial arts site populated by those that actually practice the arts. The instructors and the art itself are what is gauged and evaluated here. Not a single one of those politicians that you proudly listed would be able to distinguish good budo from The Last Samurai, and everyone on here knows that. This makes it seem like breast beating on your part which doesn't come across really well. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but I thought I'd let you know how it looks to me.

Cheers, and welcome to e-budo!

[KenseidoKyoshi]

Thanks for the guidance, It will be nice to visit with people who will understand the more intrinsic aspect of the discipline.

We have a lot of schools in this country that are so marketing and sales driven, it was a little bit unusual for members of government to take notice of the Japanese Budo ethic of strengthening individuals and communities and the work we had been doing in the community, that was not just about commerce and competition.

[pgsmith]

That's why I like to stick with the traditional arts. You avoid most of the commercialism that way.

So, how long have you been training in Kenseido? You mentioned who founded the art, but you didn't mention when it was founded. Do you guys ever have contact with the Shorinji Kempo folks? Is y'all's training anything like theirs?

Just curious as I've not heard of you folks before, so I'm trying to fit you into your proper niche in my head!

[KenseidoKyoshi]

After twenty years in Karate-Do and Kung Fu, I switched to Kenseido and helped bring it into the U.S. in 1986. Kenseido splintered off of Shorinji Kempo 33 years ago. I don't have any real contact with Shorinji other than when Shorinjiists come to San Antonio and see their art with some slight variations and a different name, they often join us as there is no SK in the region.

I just talked to Hasegawa-sensei who called from Japan to see if Rita was a threat to my family and students. It was 7AM on a Saturday over there and all he could do was wonder if we were OK. The example he sets is that his Budo, which is phenominal, is only rivalled by his Kokoro, his compassion and caring. I share this because it reflects the spirirt of Kenseido.

I also run a Federation Kendo program here, which I have been doing for 25 years, but only 15 of it in Federation style, being ZNKR and ASUKF. I am a mere beginner at Kendo.

[Jock Armstrong]

It might have been a bit better if you'd just introduced yourself first as a member. Your post looked and read like an advert. I didn't care for the "testimonials" either.
Good luck with your training

[Alex Dale]

Mr. Swart,


I'm in San Antonio quite a bit. Maybe some day I could drop by and observe training?



Regards,

[KenseidoKyoshi]

That would be cool. You are welcome anytime. Forgive me if I visit e-budo threads infrequently. As for the Kneseio schedule, I do not practice on Saturdays, though my Kohei do, otherwise there is usaully something going on here thoughout the week.

[Adam McCarthy]

Mr. Swart -

Would you please provide a detailed history of Kenseido? It is my understanding that this is a relatively new style, and it is sport/competition oriented. I recall a time when there was a Kenseido Karate school off of Blanco Road in San Antonio, which I assume was your school.