October 22-23, 2011 Clear Lake Iaido

    John Ray sensei traveled to Houston for a special visit that was also attended by Neil Melancon sensei from Baton Rouge. Ray sensei led two classes on Saturday and another class on Sunday. Sensei’s energy and enthusiasm for correct and meaningful iaido was infectious, and training with him was extremely instructive. It was great to train with him so close to the embukai, and we were all grateful for his continued support of our efforts.

September 22-25 Kansas City Japan Festival

    Egan sensei led our regularly scheduled Thursday night class with an in depth discussion and demonstration of how to dress and act in the dojo. The next night sensei led a special class that focused on the waza we would perform the next day at the Japan Festival. Saturday at the Japan Festival was another whirlwind of activity. Once again, we held a well-attended workshop out on the lawn as well as demonstrating to a large crowd in the theater. We anchored the martial arts demonstrations, and sensei led us through solidly through ten different waza. It was nice to see that so many in the crowd stayed to watch our demonstration. Then on Sunday sensei led our regularly scheduled class. Attendance and support by Ginga dojo members was extraordinary and it was gratifying to see everyone rally around sensei. We look forward to a repeat next year!

September 17, 2011 Clear Lake Iaido

    I had an excellent and long practice with Egan sensei, the timing of which could not have been better. In just a week sensei will be joining us in Kansas City for the Japan Festival.

August 12, 2011 Clear Lake Iaido

    Even thought class was canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the dojo space I still got to practice with Egan sensei. And what a practice. We met in the late morning and excluding a lunch break we practiced until late afternoon. This afforded us time to touch on some waza that I almost never even think about, let alone practice. It was an excellent way to spend a Friday!

Early July, 2011 Clear Lake Iaido.

    I was lucky enough to get three great practices in back at the home dojo with Egan sensei. In addition, sensei and I spent some extra time talking and working on waza. Her time and patience are much appreciated and I brought back a lot of key points to work on.

April 17, 2011  Cherry Blossom Festival, Independence, MO.

    We were happy once again to demonstrate at the annual festival at the Roger T Sermon Center in Independence, MO. Although it was near the end of the day there was a good and interactive crowd. We look forward to next year’s festival.

March 18-21. Kosukai and Shodan Shiken in Denton, TX

    Tanida sensei’s annual visit to Texas was massive. A huge amount of training (~21 hours from Friday afternoon to Monday morning) and a very large group that crowded the gymnasium. While we always appreciate sensei for coming to see us it was especially so this year since the big earthquake in Japan nearly coincided with our event. Sensei was on fire and left us worn but inspired. So many corrections to work on! Although I could not stay after Monday’s practice I understand sensei enjoyed his tour of Dallas/Fort Worth. Many thanks to Tanida sensei and The Dojo in Denton for making this event happen once again.

February 26-27. Clear Lake Iaido.

    Saturday afternoon training with Egan sensei then dinner that included Ray sensei. Sunday morning practice was led by Ray sensei followed by lunch and more training for those who could stay. It was really great to get in such good training so near Tanida sensei’s visit to Denton.

December 26, 2010. Clear Lake Iaido.

    Got in some good training with Egan sensei over Christmas break.

November 12-14, 2010. Embukai in Denton, TX

    The 10th annual and the best yet! Everything was wonderful and it was great to see everyone again. Ginga Dojo students demonstrated and well represented Egan and Ray sensei. Looking forward to the 11th.

October 2&3, 2010. Kansas City Japan Festival.

    Ginga dojo conducted a workshop outside on the lawn and also demonstrated inside during the martial arts portion of the program. Both activities were well attended and we received some positive feedback. Once again, the Japan Festival was busy and action packed with many simultaneous events. Many thanks to the organizers who pulled off such a nice event. Also, thanks to Egan-sensei who traveled from Houston to be with us for the festival and to lead class on Sunday.  

    Normal class on Sunday morning was extended for several hours so that we could receive instruction from Egan-sensei. It seemed that everyone came away with something to work on and sensei’s presence was a big boost to all of us. Considering that the 10th annual US Embukai is just around the corner the timing of sensei’s visit could not have been better.

August 14&15, 2010. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido.

    Sensei was fresh off a three week trip to Japan and had a weoalth of knowledge to share. We trained for at least six hours over two days and had a really nice gathering after class on Sunday. Thanks to everyone at Clear Lake Iaido for making it a wonderful visit.

April 11, 2010. City of Independence Cherry Blossom Festival

    Ginga dojo attended the festival and demonstrated. It was a lot of fun to see all the goings on and share iaido with the attendees. We appreciate the invitation and hope to participate next year as well.

March 19-21, 2010. Annual visit by Tanida-sensei to Denton, TX.

    Once again we were honored to host Tanida-sensei from Chiba City, Japan and receive his instruction. Ray- and Mahan-sensei at The Dojo put together a flawless weekend so we could all focus on training and learning from Tanida-sensei. More than ever sensei was tireless and his energetic enthusiasm for iaido was infectious. Several marathon training sessions topped off by the shodan shiken made for an epic weekend. Ginga Dojo was proud to have for the first time a dojo member, Brian Dewey, test for shodan. It was great to see everyone and share in iaido something bigger than ourselves. Sensei left us with a lot to work on and we are grateful for his continued support of our efforts.

February 20, 2010. Visit by Mahan-sensei to Kansas City

    We were fortunate to have sensei back so soon. Good timing too what with Tanida-sensei’s visit so near. We trained in the new studio that will be used for weeknight classes. Although time was limited we worked on seiza and a lot of tatehiza; a good day for the knees!

December 23, 2009. Training with Egan-sensei

    A longer trip to Houston this time but unfortunately time only for one class. I forgot to ask for a loner sword so practice was with a bokuto just like when I started. No big deal, the iaido did not suffer and much was learned.

December 12&13, 2009. Visit by Mahan-sensei to Kansas City

    Ginga Dojo was honored to host Charles Mahan sensei from Denton, TX for the first time. It was a short but intense visit. We practiced for three hours on Saturday afternoon and about the same on Sunday morning. Aside from the excellent instruction by sensei we basically only had time to eat, which we again accomplished in gourmet fashion.

December 6, 2009. Training with Egan-sensei

    On a quick trip to Houston I made it to class on Sunday. It’s great being the student and just focusing on learning this art.

September 18-20, 2009. Visit by Egan-sensei and Kansas City Japan Festival

    Egan-sensei visited from Houston for the Japan Festival. On Friday night she held practice, which as followed by a pizza dinner. On Saturday we conducted a workshop and demonstrated at the Japan Festival at the Johnson County Community College. It was another good festival, and our demo came off pretty well. After stuffing ourselves with gourmet food Saturday night sensei held class Sunday morning. It was really great to receive training from sensei, and it was especially gratifying to have her interact with my students. We are very pleased that she was able to make it again. 

June 14&17, 2009. Training with Egan-sensei

    On the 14th we trained during regular class time at the new home of Clear Lake Iaido in Friendswood, TX. The new studio is near perfect and I’m sure everyone will enjoy training there. We covered all of batto ho and most of okuiai tachiwaza, the later of which I don’t do much so it was excellent to receive further instruction in those waza. On the 17th sensei and I worked on seiza and tatehiza. The training was serious, productive, and refreshing. Much was learned.

May 10, 2009. Training with Egan-sensei

    I got a good three hours of individual training in with sensei. We covered batto ho, seiza, tatehiza, and some more advanced kata. It was an excellent and productive session and I brought back a lot of things to work on.

April 15 2009. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    As always it was good to be in class. There was much discussion of Tanida-sensei’s recent visit and some good, solid training.

March 20-22, 2009. Koshukai and Shodan Shiken in Denton, TX.

    The much anticipated visit from our sensei, Tanida-Hiroshi, from Chiba City, Japan. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning were filled with hard work under Tanida-sensei’s watchful eye. Sensei was a man on a mission, and we did our best to keep up with him. After the instructional sessions sensei presided over rank testing. Despite being worn out mentally and physically everyone who tested rose to the occasion. It was great to see everyone, and the party on Saturday night was a special treat; the food was terrific and iaido video sensei showed us was fascinating. Sensei had some difficult flights to and from Japan, and we thank him very much for visiting us.

December 17, 2008. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    It was excellent to be in class the week before Christmas. Selected waza from seiza were covered as was batto ho 1-7. This eye-opening class was particularly intense, and provided a taste of some of the more advanced aspects of iaido.

November 7-9, 2008. Embukai in Denton TX.

    This year was a great Embukai! There were somewhat fewer participants than in years past but this allowed us more time with each instructor. In addition, we had more time to get to know each other better. My iaido understanding of, and enthusiasm for iaido was really boosted over the weekend. I was again impressed at the level of iaido on display during the demonstrations on Sunday; everyone was focused and sharp. This year was also significant for me since it was the first time that one of my students attended the Embukai. We are looking forward to next year. The efforts needed to put on the Embukai this year by The Dojo were noted and deeply appreciated.

September 28th, 2008

    The day after the Japan ‘Fest Egan-sensei led class for three (short) hours. Mostly we covered the basics of seiza, with special emphasis of mae including applications and variations. Later that evening sensei and I worked on tate hiza. We focused on the first six plus number 9. Many key points were covered so I have a lot to work on! It was very nice to have Egan-sensei in town for the weekend.

2008 Kansas City Japan Festival

    September 27th, 2008 at Johnson County Community College. We had both a demonstration and a workshop. My instructor, Emily Egan-sensei came from Texas to attend. The demonstration went over well but the real fun was the workshop. We introduced MJER iaido to an enthusiastic group of festival attendees and talked up iaido with several others. It was a good Japan ‘Fest!

May 4th, 2008. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    Practice covered all of batto ho and selected seiza and tatehiza waza. Corrections brought to us by Tanida-sensei were reviewed again and elaborated upon. Emphasis during this practice was on the basics. In addition, I was presented with my yondan certificate, which was granted directly by Ikeda-soke.

April 12th, 2008. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    With Tanida-sensei’s recent visit still fresh in our minds much of practice was spent reviewing changes and refinements in our waza. A cerebral rather than a physical workout.

February 29th-March 2nd, 2008. Tanida-sensei visit, Denton, TX.

    The Dojo hosted Hiroshi Tanida-sensei from Chiba City, Japan for a weekend of intense training followed by rank testing.  Friday practice was held from early afternoon into the evening followed by dinner with sensei and the heads of the branch dojos. Tanida-sensei conducted classes all day on Saturday after which we all gathered for dinner and fellowship. Sensei led practice Sunday morning and then presided over rank testing.

    It was a physically and mentally demanding weekend of iai training. Much was learned by all present. We are lucky indeed to have the support of Tanida-sensei and appreciate his efforts help us better our iai.

February 10th, 2008. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    After covering some selected seiza waza, tatehiza was covered in some detail. Many points of interest were uncovered for me to focus on in my training. Special emphasis was placed on #4 and #5, two particularly difficult tatehiza waza. It is clear that everyone is focused on Tanida-sensei’s upcoming visit.

January 13th, 2008. Training visit to Clear Lake Iaido

    Sunday’s are relatively long classes, and in this one we got in a lot of iai. Sets covered were seiza, tatehiza, and batto ho. I picked up several things to work on! If a local sushi place was not beckoning us who knows how long we would have continued? This practice came just at the right time; I begin teaching iai soon in Kansas City. 

December 5th, 2007. Training visit to “old” dojo, Clear Lake Iaido.

    My first visit back to Houston after moving to Kansas City. Got in some much needed training with Egan-sensei. After discussing some of what sensei learned during her recent trip to Japan we settled in for a tatehiza class. Nothing like an hour of tatehiza on a spongy mat after nearly a week off from training to work out all the kinks.

It was good to see everyone who was there, Ali, Ron, Beverly, and sensei.

November 9-11, 2007. Embukai in Denton, TX.

    Embukai!!! Always a great time, lots of people from around the world, and lots of awesome iai training capped off with our demonstrations on Sunday morning.

    This year had somewhat of a somber overtone as we were all mindful of the good friends lost during the past year. That said, there were many hours of training and fellowship with some of the best iai practitioners in the Western hemisphere. As always, it was a fantastic learning opportunity, and everyone gave their personal best during their embu. Kudos to the hosts at The Dojo.

September 22, 2007. Kansas City Japan Festival.

    Nice Japan ‘fest in a good location. I attended mostly to see the martial arts demos but I found the other events interesting as well. The martial arts session featured two other iai groups from around the greater K.C. area in addition to a good kendo group. Fun session to watch.

August 31-September 2, 2007. Training visit to The Dojo.

    A pit stop on my move to Kansas City. More than a pit stop really, it was also an intense training stop. Besides attending regular class on Saturday morning led by Ray-sensei, I put in a lot of extra training with Mahan-sensei. One-on-one training is a great way to learn but it also very tiring! Wouldn’t want it any other way though.