Swenson Sensei

Congratulations to Troy Swenson Sensei! Swenson Sensei, assistant editor of the SMAA Journal, just received nidan in the SMAA Jujutsu Division. Swenson Sensei devotes quite a bit of his time to editing and formatting the raw text he receives into what members eventually see in the SMAA Journal. He does this for free, and this is true of all SMAA officials as our group is a federally tax-exempt nonprofit corporation.

SMAA officials donate their time to the organization (although they may receive honorariums for teaching at SMAA events and be reimbursed for expenses). None of the leaders of the SMAA profit financially from their involvement in the group--a distinction that sets the SMAA apart from other martial arts associations.

As the result, the public and members can be assured that SMAA rank cannot be "bought" as is sometimes the case with other groups. They can be certain that the Directors and Advisors are working for the SMAA out of a genuine love of budo and koryu bujutsu.

Journal

SMAA members will be receiving the new issue of the SMAA Journal any day now. This issue features a great article on the SMAA Europe Seminar that took place a few months ago. Suzuki Kunio Sensei, 8th dan in Nakamura Ryu swordsmanship and SMAA Senior Advisor, came from Japan to teach in England.

This issue also has part two of Teaching Karate-do to Children by Joe Rippy Sensei and Bill Kelch Sensei, along with Nippon Jujutsu: Origins, Myths, and Misconceptions by H. E. Davey. Jay Mijares Sensei contributed part one of a fine article called Shu Ha Ri, a fascinating account of his experiences studying Nakamura Ryu and Toyama Ryu iaido with Guy Power Sensei. And Wayne Muromoto, a 6th dan in the SMAA Jujutsu Division and Takeuchi Ryu jujutsu expert, wrote Niko Niko Sensei about Takenouchi Tojuro Sensei, the 13th headmaster of the Sodenke Takenouchi Ryu.

The topics covered in the SMAA Journal and the information offered, along with the way in which articles are presented, is different from what is found in most mainstream martial arts magazines. If you want to read hard to find information about truly classic koryu bujutsu and gendai budo, join the SMAA and start receiving this important magazine today. Associate membership is just $20 (US) per year. Membership information can be found at www.smaa-hq.com.

Dues

Your SMAA dues for 2012 should be paid on or before January 1, 2012. Please send a check or money order to our headquarters in Michigan. You can also pay online with a major credit card. Drop by http://smaa-hq.com/payments.php and you can conveniently make your 2012 payment. All dues go to sustain the operation of our nonprofit organization. 

Free Japanese Yoga & Martial Arts Classes!



On Thursday, November 3 the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts will offer an introductory class in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga and meditation, along with an introduction to Saigo Ryu martial arts. This event is FREE to SMAA members. The classes will take place at 1053 San Pablo Ave. in Albany, California, right across the bay from San Francisco.

The martial arts class is not required, and it will follow the Japanese yoga program, which starts at 7:00 PM. Since the Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu training will refer to principles of mind and body unification covered in the Japanese yoga class, everyone will want to participate in this first part of the evening. You can read more about both subjects at www.senninfoundation.com.

Wear loose clothing and bring a notebook. Preregistration is needed and easily accomplished. Just leave a voice mail at 510-526-7518. Give us your name and phone number, then indicate that you would like to participate in one or both classes. Let us know if anyone else is coming with you, and we'll see you on Thursday. Please arrive a few minutes early for general registration.

The classes will be taught by Troy Swenson Sensei, who has been studying and teaching at the Sennin Foundation Center for several years. He has teaching certification in Japanese yoga, and he received a black belt from the Shudokan Martial Arts Association Jujutsu Division. He is also the assistant editor of the SMAA Journal.

Don't miss your chance to learn how Japanese yoga and/or martial arts can help you realize better health, deeper calmness, and enhanced concentration in everyday life. 

New Issue of the SMAA Journal

The new SMAA Journal is out and packed with fun articles and photos. We’ve got some great excerpts from Strategy in Japanese Swordsmanship, Nicklaus Suino Sensei’s latest book. You’ll also find a report from London about SMAA Senior Advisor Paul Martin Sensei’s seminar on the art and appreciation of the Japanese sword, and a detailed article about using the esoteric aiki principle in aikido, jujutsu, and other martial arts. 

If you have not yet received the latest issue of the journal, it probably means we don’t have a current mailing address for you. Please send your correct e-mail address to hedavey@aol.com.  

Not yet an SMAA member? You’re missing out on a great quarterly journal, one that’s  packed with hard to find information about rare martial arts. Membership is just $20 (US) per year, and you can easily join at www.smaa-hq.com.

SMAA Europe Seminar with Suzuki Kunio

Bu

 "Martial" or "military." The Chinese character for "bu" has two components. One indicates a weapon, while the other means to stop or lay aside. Thus, bu has a different connotation than the direct English translation.--H. E. Davey, Shihan/7th dan and Co-director of the SMAA Jujutsu Division