H. E. Davey Promoted to 8th Dan

Recently, H. E. Davey was unanimously approved for eighth dan in the SMAA Jujutsu Division. Stephen Fabian Sensei, a Director for the Jujutsu Division, and Nicklaus Suino Sensei, an SMAA Primary Director, recommended him for this promotion. The recommendation then went to the SMAA Board of Directors and SMAA Board of Advisors for consideration, which is the case with all promotions to higher dan within the SMAA. It was ultimately approved.

Unlike some associations, promotions within the SMAA are not based on the opinion of a single person. All members of the SMAA Board of Directors and SMAA Board of Advisors have an opportunity to comment on and discuss the merits of a proposed promotion. Video demonstrations and in-person examinations are frequently required.

If a group consensus is reached, the promotion is issued. This means that an international panel, made up of some of the world’s top martial arts teachers, is behind the ranks that members receive in the SMAA. Both Japanese and Western experts in modern budo and koryu bujutsu consider each application for ranks above third dan. (Ranks of sandan and below are determined by the Director, or Directors, in charge of a division within the SMAA.)

The SMAA’s thorough approach to rank examinations guarantees that rank is not obtained too quickly or easily, thus ensuring that certified SMAA teachers will not be embarrassed by another SMAA instructor’s lack of competency. In the case of Mr. Davey, the time between his last promotion and his new rank of hachidan was 19 years.

Look for a complete write-up in the next issue of the SMAA Journal. To find out more about this journal and the SMAA's international coalition of Japanese and Western budo experts, visit www.smaa-hq.com.

Teachers of SMAA Officials & Senior Members (playlist)

Suino Sensei Promoted to Iaido 8th Dan

Big news! Recently, the SMAA Board of Advisors and Board of Directors unanimously voted to award Nicklaus Suino Sensei an eighth dan in the SMAA Iaido Division. Suino Sensei is one of the founding members of the SMAA, one of three SMAA Primary Directors, and the general manager of our headquarters. He is the author of Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts, Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship, The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido, Strategy in Japanese Swordsmanship, and other works. He is also the Director of the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has been deeply involved in traditional Japanese budo since 1968.

More information will follow in the next issue of the SMAA Journal. Congratulations to Suino Sensei!

2013 SMAA Kentucky Seminar!

2013 SMAA KENTUCKY SEMINAR

The SMAA Kentucky Seminar will take place in Louisville, Kentucky on August 17 – 19, 2013. The featured instructors are Stephen Fabian Sensei and Cyna Khalily Sensei. Fabian Sensei will teach Hontai Yoshin Ryu jujutsu and related weapons, while Khalily Sensei will offer instruction in Chito Ryu karate-do. This U.S. event is going to be a lot of fun, and it offers our members a chance to study two martial traditions that are rarely taught outside of Japan. Here’s all you need to know to start the registration process:

What: Hontai Yoshin Ryu is an ancient martial system that focuses on jujutsu. It also includes training with the three-foot stick, six-foot staff, and the sword. It is infrequently offered in a seminar format, and it is not easy to find instruction in authentic forms of Japanese jujutsu in the West. This is a great chance to learn from one of the world’s best teachers of Hontai Yoshin Ryu and an opportunity to study dynamic throws, joint locks, and grappling techniques that date back to Japan’s feudal past. Time permitting, Fabian Sensei will also present instruction in Toyama Ryu iaido.

Chito Ryu is a distinctive and powerful form of karate-do that is not widely practiced in Western countries, and it has unique, interesting, and effective features that separate it from other karate-do styles. Chitose Tsuyoshi Sensei founded Chito Ryu, and it has strong Okinawan influences. Signature aspects of Chito Ryu include an emphasis on kime—a contraction of the muscles in the lower part of the body to generate additional strength and stability in stances. The use of shibori, which means "to squeeze"—twisting contraction of the muscles in a specific area (often the arms) aimed at generating strength; rapid rotational movements; and frequent use of movement off the line of attack at advanced levels are also important.

Who: Stephen Fabian Sensei has been involved in the martial arts for most of his life. Mr. Fabian lives in New Jersey and teaches Hontai Yoshin Ryu. He resided for several years in Japan and is a disciple of Inoue Soke, the 18th generation Headmaster of the Hontai Yoshin Ryu. He is the first American licensed to teach this ancient ryu in the U.S. Fabian Sensei is a Director for the SMAA Traditional Jujutsu Division. His current SMAA title/rank is jujutsu Shihan/seventh dan and SMAA Iaido Division fourth dan. He is also author of Clearing Away Clouds: Nine Lessons for Life from the Martial Arts, in which he shares insights gained from years of practicing martial arts.

Cyna Khalily Sensei has been studying Chito Ryu karate-do for decades. He trains in the USA, Japan, and Okinawa under top karate-do experts. Khalily Sensei has received a Shihan teaching certificate and a sixth dan from the SMAA Karate-do Division. He is a leading expert in Chito Ryu in the U.S. He is also a medical doctor, and he lives in Kentucky. His dojo is hosting the SMAA Kentucky Seminar this year, just as it did in 2012.

When: August 17 – 19, 2013

Where: Takanoko Dojo

999 Brent Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40204

USA

How Much: $75 per day for four training sessions each day. $225 for the entire event. Both amounts are for the general public. SMAA members will receive a special discount on all training.

Contact: Send e-mail to Brian Barnes Sensei at logician@hyrusa.com for more detailed information. Space is limited, so act soon. Don't miss this important opportunity to study two rarely taught martial arts under leading SMAA experts.

Shudokan Martial Arts Association Teachers & Members (playlist)

SMAA Europe Seminar!

Great news! The SMAA Europe Seminar will take place in England, with Paul and Lee Masters Sensei as the featured instructors. The subject will be Tenjin Shinyo Ryu jujutsu, an ancient martial art. This is one of two forms of jujutsu that were central in the creation of Kodokan judo. Tenjin Shinyo Ryu is rarely offered to the public, even in Japan, let alone in a Western nation.

Paul Masters Sensei is featured in the current issue of the SMAA Journal, along with his son Lee, and he holds a menkyo kaiden in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu, the highest possible rank. He is the first non-Japanese recipient of this honor in the over 200-year history of this important martial art. Don’t miss your chance to study classical Japanese jujutsu with him. Throws, joint locks, strangleholds, strikes, and healing methods merge in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu to create a dynamic system of personal development and self-protection. Here’s all you need to know to attend this exciting event: 

What: Tenjin Shinyo Ryu jujutsu, one of the most influential ancient martial arts 

When: July 20, 2013 (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 

Where: Komori Dojo 

Drybrook Memorial Hall, GL17 

9JA,Drybrook, Gloucester, UK 

Who: SMAA members and the general public 

How Much: £35 general admission, SMAA members only £25 

Event Registration & Contact Information: Lee Masters Sensei at tenyokaiintl@gmail.com. 

Attendance is limited, so contact Masters Sensei soon to reserve your place. Don’t miss your opportunity to study with two of the world’s highest-ranking teachers of classical Nihon jujutsu. And be sure to ask for your SMAA member discount, just one of the many benefits of belonging to our international nonprofit association.

2013 SMAA Aikido Camp!

The SMAA and the Aikikai HQ (Tokyo) are co-sponsors of a great aikido camp in Georgia. The instructor will be SMAA certified teacher Max Roach Sensei (aikido sandan and iaido yondan). Here's all you need to know to partcipate: 

Where: 

Darlington School’s Huffman Athletic Center

1014 Cave Spring Road 

Rome, GA 30161 USA

Who: 

Ages 10 and above

When: 

June 3 - 8, 2013

How much:

$135 – Pre-registration 

$150 – Late Registration (After May 24, 2013 )

$10 - Discount for SMAA members!

Practiced in a spirit of non-competition, Aikikai aikido is fun and practical self-defense. This camp will be beneficial for new and advanced students alike. Instruction will focus on basic and intermediate defensive techniques, including unbalancing and pinning techniques, arm bars, wrist techniques, sweeps, and hip throws. Participants will cultivate balance, coordination, concentration and self-awareness. 

Pre-registered participants who sign up by May 24 will receive a free uniform. Please contact Mr. Roach with your height and weight for uniform pre-orders. Teacher and group discounts also available. Housing may be available if requested in advance.

Questions? Send e-mail to roach.max@gmail.com. We hope to see everyone at this fun and exciting event. And don't forget to ask for your SMAA member discount.