SMAA Iaido Division

Dave Lowry, SMAA Board of Advisors

Nicklaus Suino, SMAA Iaido Division Director

Suzuki Kunio, SMAA Board of Advisors

Wayne Muromoto, SMAA Board of Advisors

Iaido focuses on the drawing and use of the traditional Japanese sword. It is widely regarded as a form of moving meditation, and it’s practiced in several nations.

In the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten, Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is credited with establishing an art in the sixteenth century that is practiced as iaido today. However, about a century before his birth, iaijutsu was developed by Iizasa Ienao, creator of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. Both older and modern versions of iaido and iaijutsu can be found within the SMAA Iaido Division, which is lead by Nicklaus Suino Sensei (Shihan and seventh dan) and Guy Power Sensei (Shihan and seventh dan). Suino Sensei and Power Sensei both lived in Japan for several years, where they studied under top iaido experts.

Suino Sensei’s background is in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, while Power Sensei practices Nakamura Ryu and Toyama Ryu. The SMAA Iaido Division, however, is open to any form of iaido with a legitimate lineage that can be traced to a Japanese founder.

Among the prominent members of the SMAA Iaido Division are Suzuki Kunio Sensei (Nakamura Ryu and Toyama Ryu), Paul Martin Sensei (Onoha Itto Ryu), Mr. Dave Lowry (Yagyu Shinkage Ryu), Hunter Armstrong Sensei (Yagyu Shinkage Ryu), John Evans Sensei (Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu), Wayne Muromoto Sensei (Takeuchi Ryu and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu), Nyle Monday Sensei (Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu and Toyama Ryu), and Stephen Fabian Sensei (Hontai Yoshin Ryu and Toyama Ryu).

SMAA Aikido Division

Cynthia Hayashi Sensei

Aikido is a dynamic martial art and form of spiritual training created by Ueshiba Morihei Sensei (1883-1969). It focuses on nonviolent throwing and pinning techniques, and in some systems the use of the sword and staff is included as well. In many aikido schools, it is practiced in a noncompetitive environment.

Since Ueshiba Sensei’s death, a number of high ranking aikido experts have created their own versions of this martial art. The SMAA Aikido Division is open to all genuine forms of aikido with an authentic lineage that can be traced directly to a Japanese founder.

This popular division is lead by Karl Scott Sensei, SMAA Shihan and sixth dan. Scott Sensei studied aikido for numerous years under several notable and talented teachers, including Tohei Koichi Sensei (tenth dan), Kai Kuniyuki Sensei (ninth dan), Shiohira Hideki Sensei (seventh dan), Toyoda Fumio Sensei (sixth dan), and Walter Todd Sensei (sixth dan).

Cynthia Hayashi Sensei is one of the prominent members of the SMAA Aikido Division. She is a direct student of the famed Saito Morihiro Sensei, himself a senior disciple of the founder of aikido. Hayashi Sensei received a sixth-degree black belt in aikido from the Aikikai World HQ in Tokyo. She is one of the highest ranking female aikido teachers in the world.

2011 SMAA Dues

Thanks to all the SMAA members that got their 2011 dues in early! If you have not yet paid this year's dues, please remember to pay annually on January 1. We'd like to avoid sending late dues notices as this costs our nonprofit association time and money. Your help with this is appreciated and you can now pay online at www.smaa-hq.com.



SMAA Jujutsu Division



The SMAA Jujutsu Division is devoted to traditional Japanese jujutsu. All lineages must be traceable to a Japanese founder, and training must be conducted in a way that is historically and culturally authentic. Among the members of this division are Steve Fabian Sensei, 7th dan (Hontai Yoshin Ryu), Wayne Muromoto, 6th dan (Takeuchi Ryu), and other expert teachers of Nihon jujutsu. Learn more at www.smaa-hq.com

SMAA Budo Experts

Some of the top Japanese and Western teachers of budo and koryu bujutsu in the world can be found in the SMAA. What's more, a number of advanced experts in other Japanese art forms, such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, flower arrangement, and Japanese yoga, are among the members of the SMAA Board of Advisors. Find out more at http://www.smaa-hq.com/.

Dues

Thanks to all the SMAA members that got their 2011 dues in early! If you have not yet paid this year's dues, please remember to pay annually on January 1. We'd like to avoid sending late dues notices as this costs our nonprofit association time and money. Your help with this is appreciated.

Winning without Fighting

‎"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill."

- Sun-Tsu

Traditional budo teaches three ways to win:

1. To win after fighting

2. To win before fighting

3. To win without fighting

Each way of winning represents a more elevated level of skill. Of the three approaches, the last is the most effective. It is also the least understood and practiced.

Want to experience real Japanese budo, as described above? Join the SMAA. Drop by www.smaa-hq.com. Membership fees are more than reasonable and there are many benefits to membership.