2023 Tri-State Battodo Taikai

Registration

Registration, waivers, and sword check will be available at 8:30 AM. Please note all iaito and shinken must be examined and approved prior to classes and events.

First Block: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Ryushin Shouchi Ryu

Ryushin Shouchi Ryu is a school of Kobudo (ancient martial art) specializing in iaijutsu (the art of drawing and cutting). The philosophy of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu parallels most modern forms of budo, (i.e. Kendo, Judo, and Aikido) and entails cultivating the mind and conditioning the body through rigorous training for the purpose of improving the self rather than killing an enemy. This concept is more commonly known as fudoshin (immovable mind), which refers to a state of psychological and spiritual equanimity.

Ryushin Shouchi Ryu is based on a traditional style of swordsmanship that originated in the Kanto area but then spread to Kyushu and other areas of Japan. It is composed of Iai, Bokuto kumitachi, Iai kumitachi, Tachitori, and Tantotori.

Kendo

Kendo — literally "sword way" — is a Japanese martial art that descends from swordsmanship (kenjutsu) and uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor. Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and many other nations across the world. Kendo is an activity that combines martial arts practices and values with strenuous sport-like physical activity.

Intro to Cutting / Basics

An introductory tameshigiri seminar for students new to cutting, covering the basics of shinken handling and the cutting patterns for the Mudan taikai events.

Second Block: 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Edo Yagyu Shin Kage-ryu

Yagyu Shin Kage-ryu is one of the koryu — ancient martial arts systems of Japan. It is a hyo ho, a strategic system. As with other koryu, Yagyu Shin Kage-ryu focuses primarily on preserving and transmitting a martial system hundreds of years old.

The various Yagyu Ryu are historical, living martial traditions handed down from teacher to student for more than 400 years. This branch of the Yagyu Shin Kage-ryu traces its lineage to the early 16th century, through seventeen headmasters.

Toyama-ryu Kata

Toyama-ryu Battodo is a Japanese sword art formally established in 1925. This art draws its techniques and philosophy from the expert swordsmen of that era and their styles. Its roots are thought to be Omori-ryu Tachi Iai and the tachi waza of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. It focuses on the drawing and use of a single sword from a standing posture.

It teaches not only drawing and cutting techniques, but also the mental and spiritual aspects which governed the daily lives of swordsmen long ago.

Advanced Cutting

Advanced tameshigiri seminar covering the cutting patterns in the Shodan and up taikai events. Open to Shodan and up, or Mudan with prior approval.

Lunch

Third Block: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Nakamura-ryu

Nakamura-ryu was developed by Nakamura Taizaburō Sensei based on his studies while teaching Toyama-ryu. He was inspired by the idea that the eiji happō (the eight principles of writing kanji) could be applied to swordsmanship. He began to organize his understandings into a system of practical swordsmanship in which non-martial techniques were discarded.

Daito-ryu

Daito-ryu (also known as simply Aiki-jūjutsu) is a fighting style created by the Seiwa Minamoto clan, and handed down from generation to generation. Its core principles focus on subtle manipulations of balance that can complement and enrich any martial arts training.

It has directly influenced the development of many popular martial arts, such as Shorinji Kempo, Hakko-ryu Jujutsu, Hapkido and most famously Aikido, whose founder Morihei Ueshiba trained extensively in Daito-ryu.

Intro to Cutting / Basics

An introductory tameshigiri seminar for students new to cutting, covering the basics of shinken handling and the cutting patterns for the Mudan taikai events.

Fourth Block: 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM

Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu

Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iai Heiho is a Japanese martial art which emphasizes drawing and cutting with the sword in a single fluid motion. Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu is a koryu bujutsu with a direct 475 year lineage to its founder, Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu.

Gekken / Bokken Techniques

As you learn different techniques from kata — and strengthen them from cutting — you can try to apply them during free form sparring sessions. These sessions are not about winning a match, but rather test your ability to apply techniques against a real opponent exerting pressure against you.

Students must bring bokken for this seminar. Iaito and shinken will not be allowed.

Advanced Cutting

Advanced tameshigiri seminar covering the cutting patterns in the Shodan and up taikai events. Open to Shodan and up, or Mudan with prior approval.

Fifth Block: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

USFBD Seitei Kata

The techniques and forms of battodo that are taught by the U.S. Federation of Battodo at seminars and events were created by the Zen Nihon Battodo Renmei, and are used for testing and tournaments throughout North America as well as in Japan.

These have been adapted from many styles to provide a standard set of kata for competition.

Judging Session (Complimentary)

This complimentary seminar covers the finer points of judging kata and tameshigiri for taikai. It's open to Sandan (any style) and above.

Sword Exhibition (Complimentary)

This complimentary seminar goes into the history and artistry of the Japanese sword, with many examples from the last 800 years.

Clean Up / Finish

Registration

Registration, waivers, and sword check will be available at 9:00 AM. Please note all iaito and shinken must be examined and approved prior to taikai events.

Opening, Bow-in

Enbu — Masters' Demonstration

Demonstration featuring kata and cutting from multiple masters of different styles.

Open Kata

Kata competition open to all styles.

Shodan and under: Must present two kata.

Nidan and Sandan: Must present two kata.

Yondan and up: Must present three kata.

Lunch

Tameshigiri

Individual cutting competition.

Shodan and under: Initial round will be sayu kesa (both sides), gyaku kesa. Semifinals will be sayu kesa, gyaku kesa, suihei. Finals will be godan giri.

Nidan and Sandan: Initial round will be sayu kesa, gyaku kesa, suihei. Semifinals will be godan giri. Finals will be rokudan giri

Yondan and up: Initial round will be godan giri. Semifinal round will be rokudan giri. Finals will be 2 or 3 mats cutting from kata. If a contestant successfully performs a kata with 3 mats vs a contestant with 2 mats, the first contestant would be the winner.

Team Cutting

Teams of three practitioners performing rokudan giri on a single mat.

Finals will be rokudan giri on a double mat.

Dodan Cutting

Individual dodan cutting. The winner is the person who cuts through the deepest.

Kumitachi

Teams of two practitioners performing Toyama-ryu kumitachi ipponme and sanbonme.

Iaito or bokken is required, shinken are not allowed without prior approval.

Gekken

Single elimination gekken tournament, open to all ranks. Winner of each round will be the first to get one clean point.

Rounds will last a maximum of two minutes, and 4 ai-uchi will eliminate both participants. During the semifinal and final rounds, 3 ai-uchi will eliminate both participants.

Closing Remarks and Photos