Training Katori Shinto ryu in Japan | Deeper into the Martial Tradition

Visiting Tokudai-ji, Ueno, Tokyo. Japan training is only complete with a deeper understanding of the martial tradition’s belief system

Training Katori Shinto ryu in Japan is of the utmost importance for all serious monjin, members of the ryu, of all levels. It further strengthens the quality of the students as well as our teacher in Vietnam. Annually our teacher in Vietnam invites a maximum of 10 practitioners to visit the main dojo in Japan for two weeks.

Visiting Katori Jingu. Japan training is only complete with a deeper understanding of the martial tradition’s roots

Taka san, Kiho san and Summer chan. Backpackers Fuji’s the Katori Shinto ryu monjin home away from home

These places further deepen their understanding and respect for the martial tradition they belong to. They stay at Backpackers Fuji a small hotel and together they will shop, cook, do the dishes and wash clothes together assisting each other as a team.

Sharing responsibilites; cooking, doing the dishes and laundry together

It goes without saying that after training Katori Shinto ryu in Japan many students double their efforts at home which has a positive influence even on those who have not visited Japan yet.

Home made lunch. Will it last us three hours?

Shinbukan Dojo

Otake Risuke sensei Otake Nobutoshi shihan correct and teach the students every day

During those weeks at Shinbukan dojo the monjin from Vietnam will be able to experience not only new technical elements but they will also understand more about their fellow monjin from all over the world and especially those from Japan. Not only the head teacher but the sempai too are important in developing your understanding of the tradition. These students who are our senior, may take on the role of mentor and assist you further in your understanding of the ryu, its techniques, rules and values.

In between training sessions: getting a quick bite to eat

Shinbukan Dojo; Otake Risuke Sensei and Otake Nobutoshi Sensei

The journey is not limited to training in Japan only, students will also visit historic and culturally important places such as Katori Jingu and museums with sword collections.

Otake Nobutoshi sensei brought us to Tsukamoto sword museum where the expert was kind enough to take some swords out from behind the glass protection

Students receive an introduction to the Japanese sword

Both the blades and the koshirea are studied

At the National Museum, Ueno; studying yoroi and swords

When time permits, we also visit a sword smith. He explains the process of sword making in more detail and lets us try out the different tools involved. He shows us the different kinds of tamahagane and explains how it is produced.

Visit to a Sword smith Katori Vietnam. Trying out a power hammer.

The basis for Japanese swords: tamahagane

Implements to make the hi in the sword blade

Trying out tools to make a hi in a sword blade

Shobukan dojo motto: work hard, relax hard. Enjoying Japanese food with fellow monjin

Enjoying Japanese culture: learning from elderly kendoka

Learning more about Japanese culture