Japanese Sword School represents Japanese Traditional Martial Culture with iaijutsu and kenjutsu.

Shobukan Vietnam and the Vietnam Japan Association invited many martial arts schools to the event

2013 was the year Vietnam and Japan celebrated forty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. All through the year, the Japanese consulate, the Japanese embassy and the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association organized festivities and seminars. These activities focused on economic, socio-political and cultural ties between the two countries. The Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association organized a seminar introducing Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu. Shobukan Vietnam dojo together with Otake Nobutoshi sensei took care of the content of the seminar. (Hochiminh Union of Friendship Organizations published an article about this event here.)

The event welcomed Mr. Hiroyuki Inui (representative of Consulate of Japan), officers from International Friendship Associations and all members of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association. Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu official representative in Vietnam Malte Stokhof was joined by Mr. Ong, a high level monjin from Singapore, Mr. Joris, a high level monjin from Belgium and fellow Vietnamese monjin.

Otake Nobutoshi sensei and the monjin demonstrated techniques including: bojutsu, naginatajutsu, iaijutsu and kenjutsu among other things. Later, Otake Nobutoshi sensei explained about the role of Katori Shinto ryu in Japanese culture. He also lectured about the process of forging swords and answered questions from the public.

Otake Nobutoshi sensei, foreign guests and Mr. Hiroyuki Inui, the representative of the Japanese consulate

Hiroyuki Inui – representative of Consulate of Japan

Otake Nobutoshi sensei spoke about the relations between Vietnam and Japan and the universal values of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu

Otake Nobutoshi sensei performed iai jutsu to officially open the event

Monjin of Shobukan dojo performed kenjutsu

Otake Nobutoshi sensei and Mr. De Leebeck demonstrate naginatajutsu

Mr. Ong and Katori Shinto Ryu Shidosha Vietnam demonstrate bojutsu

Otake Nobutoshi sensei and Mr. De Leebeeck demonstrate naginatajutsu at the Vietnam – Japan Friendship event 2013

Otake Nobutoshi sensei answered questions from the public. Shidosha Vietnam and Mr. Tung translated from English to Vietnamese and back at the Vietnam – Japan Friendship event 2013

President of the Vietnam Japan Friendship Association Hochiminh City, Mr. Nguyen Cong Tanh inspects a katana

Vice President of the Hochiminh City Union of Friendsip Associations Mr. Huynh Minh Thien (left) and Mr. Nguyen Cong Tanh (right) offer Otake Nobutoshi sensei ceremonial gifts

Otake Nobutoshi sensei and on his left, Mr. Hiroyuki Inui, the representative of the Japanese consulate