SMAA Europe Seminar

The above images are from the SMAA Europe Seminar that took place in London, England this summer. The instruction combined Hatha yoga with Nakamura Ryu and Toyama Ryu swordsmanship. The classes were lead by SMAA Senior Advisor John Evans Sensei, a seventh dan in Nakamura Ryu. Evans Sensei lived in Japan for several years, where he studied Nakamura Ryu directly from Nakamura Taizaburo Sensei, the founder of this discipline. The seminar was a great success with participants attending from the USA and Europe. This was our first, but hopefully not last, event in Europe. As the result of this fun and educational course, the SMAA signed up a large number of new members in England. Thanks to Evans Sensei and his students, who worked hard to make the SMAA Europe Seminar a fascinating and friendly event!

Wayne Muromoto Demonstration--Part Two

More images from SMAA Senior Advisor Wayne Muromoto's demonstration in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Muromoto is on the right in the above photos. He is one of the senior ranking members of the SMAA Jujutsu Division.

Wayne Muromoto Demonstration--Part One

Wayne Muromoto, SMAA Senior Advisor from Hawaii, recently visited the Missouri Botanical Gardens, where he gave a well-received demonstration of Takeuchi Ryu jujutsu and related weapons. The event was part of the annual Japan Festival that takes place in St. Louis. Also performing was SMAA Senior Advisor Dave Lowry, who demonstrated Yagyu Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship. His dynamic and expert use of the sword was as well received in Missouri as it was at past SMAA events.

Mr. Muromoto is the sword wielding attacker above, and he is assisted by his student Clark Watanabe, also from Oahu, Hawaii. Mr. Muromoto has received a sixth dan and Shihan teaching certificate from the SMAA Jujutsu Division. He offers ongoing classes in Takeuchi Ryu jujutsu and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido in Honolulu.

SMAA Europe Seminar

Our recent SMAA Seminar in London was a huge success, with participants from European countries and the United States in attendance. John Evans Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor, taught excellent classes in Nakamura Ryu swordsmanship, and many new folks joined the SMAA. Look for more information about our first event in Europe in an upcoming SMAA Journal.

Thanks to Evans Sensei and all the SMAA members in England that worked hard to make this a fun and educational opportunity to learn more about traditional budo. And don't forget the next event in the SMAA 15th Anniversary Seminar Series: the SMAA California Seminar in November. For more information about this seminar, contact hedavey@aol.com.