Seminar Report:
Tokumeikan Gasshuku 2022
Special Training Camp Report
July-August 2022
Orangeville, Canada
copyright © 2022 Douglas Tong, all rights reserved.
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Over the August 2022 long weekend, we hosted our Tokumeikan Gasshuku 2022 for our members. This seminar was a great opportunity to bring together all our fellow members, and enjoy the chance to practice together. We had members from our Canadian study groups in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Orangeville attend. We had the pleasure of having some new members from Tampa, Florida participating as well.
One of the attendees from our Tampa Group wrote a nice report on what happened over the weekend.
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Tokumeikan Gasshuku 2022 Reflection
copyright © 2022 Benjamin Noel, all rights reserved.
At the very end of July, the Tokumeikan group hosted their Annual Summer Gasshuku in Orangeville, Ontario. Being the first in-person Gasshuku in three years, it afforded opportunities for the Tokumeikan group to invest into the growing community of the arts they practice. Study groups in attendance ranged from several areas of Canada and one from the United States.
The daily sessions for this gathering were practice and reflection on Yagyu Shingan-Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu, and Katori Shinto-Ryu.
Sensei Scott Brodie discussed the core principles of Yagyu Shingan-Ryu Taijutsu (YST) and why it is practiced.
It is not there to make one impressive or a formidable fighter, but it is there to make one better as a human. Perhaps the best way to explore this is to never even use it! One should practice the art and develop oneself to evolve as a student and person in this sometimes difficult to traverse world.
Brodie Sensei offered Kajitsuka Sensei’s concepts of loving humans, not engaging in violence, and only fighting with oneself to further express this.
Just as well, there was a focus on safety, body mechanics, and how the details of the kata tie in with other martial arts.
In Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu (YSR), there was heavy focus on timing and perception, but also about taming the ego. In Usen Saten for example, it was shown that one finally sets up shop and, in doing that, creates a defense when the opponent approaches.
Timing in one’s actions from the start is what makes this set-up possible. Balancing Ken-Tai principles and not being either too aggressive or panicked allow for one to watch the opponent and gauge one’s precision. Through all of this, the ego is a looming beast that causes disruption to this balance.
The students of the Gasshuku had to leave their egos at the door as they ran through kata one by one, with Senseis Tong and Scott, to learn through observation of others as well as witnessing one’s own flaws.
Often, putting one’s skill on display can be harrowing, but also necessary to break down that buildup of self-importance.
Katori Shinto-Ryu (KSR) is rather expansive when it comes to training in various weapons. In this gathering, the students learned sword, naginata, and spear.
Various instructors led these training sessions which allowed variety when witnessing technique and philosophy.
Fundamental to this school is a solid stance, a proper gauge of distance from the opponent, and a true understanding of what the kata is teaching.
The most difficult aspect is putting these all together to make it one function of the body and the mind. In the end, the participants had a solid booster shot of these tenets and designs to take with them.
The largest arc of this Gasshuku was (at least in your author’s humble opinion) the sense of kinship among the participants. There seemed to be an instant bond of like-minded souls throughout the days of the event with people that had never been met face-to-face before.
It may be true that the information was too much to fully gather or the difficulty might be too great to truly take everything back to one’s home study group, but the sense of togetherness can easily be stored and shared with others in the budo community. May all participants have remembered to pack that into their luggage for the return as well.
Ben Noel
Florida Koryu Shinko-kai
Tampa, Florida
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Another one of the attendees from our Thunder Bay Group wrote a reflection on things that resonated with her over the weekend:
Thoughts on My Experience at the Tokumeikan Gasshuku 2022
copyright © 2022 Amanda Miller, all rights reserved.
Although I am grateful for having the technology and resources that enable us to connect online and through zoom sessions, meeting and training in person was at another level. Katas that I struggled to learn online became clearer. This entire trip was a wealth of knowledge to me. Having the opportunity to be instructed by multiple teachers enhanced my vision as well, as each individual had their own special take on how to pass on their instruction.
Being a part of this organization has provided me with a great sense of community and it was wonderful to be able to put a face to the names I had become familiar with online. I was a bit nervous about meeting everyone but was very pleasantly surprised to discover that they were all very accepting and kind. Learning everyone’s interests and backgrounds continued to fuel my love for these martial arts.
I am always up for a mentally challenging task and this Gasshuku did not disappoint. Although I may not be the fastest learner, I am dedicated. This trip really helped me find new ways of ‘polishing the diamond’ in ways that I can take away and use in my everyday practice.
I have often been told that by studying these arts and interpreting the meaning behind literary works such as “The Sword and the Mind”, we are being provided with metaphors to survive life. This trip was remarkable for me and has provided me with such joy and growth. What I learned in four days is like a year’s worth (or more) of valuable information and skill.
For these reasons, I am so grateful that you provided me with the opportunity to attend such an event. I look forward to doing this again in the future!
Kind Regards,
Amanda Miller
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