SMAA Europe Seminar

The SMAA Europe Seminar is currently taking place under the direction of Suzuki Kunio Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor. Suzuki Sensei, a resident of Yokohama, is a direct student of the founder of Nakamura Ryu swordsmanship, and we're happy to have him in the UK. Thanks to the SMAA members in London for their help with this important event. We should have photos and an article an upcoming issue of the SMAA Journal.



Discover the World of Authentic Japanese Budo and Koryu Bujutsu

Don't miss your chance to be associated with some of the top teachers of modern budo and koryu bujutsu in the world today! International seminars, a great quarterly journal, membership certificates, rank certification, and member discounts are just a few benefits of SMAA membership. Dues are very reasonable and go to support our nonprofit organization. Drop by www.smaa-hq.com for more information.

SMAA Journal

The latest issue of the SMAA Journal has been sent to members. If you do not receive this issue, it's most likely because your e-mail address has changed, and we don't have your current information, or you have not paid dues. If you fail to receive the new issue, send e-mail to hedavey@aol.com. If you'd like to get our quarterly publication, join the SMAA at www.smaa-hq.com. Associate membership is just $20 (US) per year.

Articles on classic judo in Japan, how to study budo, the esoteric principles behind kiai, the art of the Japanese sword, and ancient martial arts in Aizu are featured. Authors in the new issue are Wayne Muromoto, H. E. Davey, Nicklaus Suino, Paul Martin, and Mark Colby.

Free Japanese Yoga & Martial Arts Classes!

On Thursday, July 14 the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts will offer free introductory classes in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga and meditation, along with a free introduction to Saigo Ryu martial arts. 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 Kevin Heard Sensei, who has been studying and teaching at the Sennin Foundation Center for nearly 30 years. He has Soshihan teaching certification in Japanese yoga, the highest level possible, and he received a sixth degree black belt from the famed Shudokan Martial Arts Association's Jujutsu Division. He is also a member of the elite SMAA Board of Advisors.

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.

A Note to SMAA Members

We have recently become aware of at least one other martial arts group that uses the acronym “SMAA.” Please note that the Shudokan Martial Arts Association is not affiliated with any other group or organization that uses SMAA to identify itself. Though we do not believe any careful observer would confuse our thoughtful, traditional approach with that of another organization, we suggest that you be sure to type in “Shudokan Martial Arts Association” when seeking information about our association. Our website can be found at http://www.smaa-hq.com/, and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ShudokanMartialArtsAssociation.

JMAC Celebrates Five Years

Nicklaus Suino Sensei's Japanese Martial Arts Center will be celebrating his fifth anniversary, and SMAA members are invited to attend. Suino Sensei is the SMAA General Manager. Here's all you need to know to take part.

Where: Japanese Martial Arts Center
3853 Research Park Drive, Suite 110
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

When: Saturday, June 25, 2011
Starts at 3:30 pm

What: Celebration of five years at JMAC
- Promotion ceremony for successful test candidates
- Activities
- Potluck

The JMAC annual potluck has become world famous among those "in the know." Each year, the JMAC members have raised the bar by bringing better and more exciting dishes from their home cultures or old family recipes. Drop by and visit with other SMAA members. You can contact Suino Sensei for more information at shudokan@smaa-hq.com.

Iwasaki Soke

Iwasaki Hisashi Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor, is the Soke (Hereditary Headmaster) of Kobori Ryu suiei-jutsu. One of the highest ranking martial artists in Japan, he teaches and preserves a very rare and esteemed form of ancient bujutsu.

Suiei-jutsu is the age-old Japanese martial art of combative swimming. Unlike modern budo, such as judo, karate-do, or iaido, the old martial systems (koryu) were often sogo bujutsu. A sogo bujutsu incorporates a number of martial disciplines that are linked by a set of unifying principles as espoused by the art's founder. While not all bushi, or "warriors," studied every one of them, generally speaking there are 18 classical martial arts that often comprise bujutsu. Although the exact arts that made up the bugei juhappan, or "18 martial arts," varied according to martial system, and sometimes according to historical period as well, suiei-jutsu is often described as being one of them.

While not as widely practiced as swordsmanship, samurai swimming was often a part of the bushi's training. It was natural for the Japanese warrior to develop swimming skills in that the sea surrounds Japan, and combat could therefore potentially take place in water. Eventually, swimming and engaging an opponent in water reached a high level in certain clans of warriors. Depending on the speed, size, and depth of the water that was near a particular clan, different skills were developed. For example, some ryu of suiei-jutsu featured methods for swimming under water, while others focused on swimming in fast moving rapids.

Suiei-jutsu served various purposes, ranging from allowing the bushi to silently sneak up on an enemy, to floating for long periods, to fording strong rivers. Bushi needed to be able to swim while wearing armor, carrying flags, weapons, and banners; and they needed to be able to use a bow and arrow while almost submerged. Some ryu also featured grappling while in the water.

At present, suiei-jutsu is seldom taught in Japan. Most of its contemporary practitioners are studying it as a means of recreation, as a way of maintaining their health, and as a method of disciplining their minds and bodies. But make no mistake, the small number of suiei-jutsu teachers that are still extant have not forgotten the martial origins of this rare art form, and they are also preserving it as an important cultural property of Japan.

Iwasaki Soke is one of the people responsible for preserving suiei-jutsu, and he lives in Kyoto.