Tenchikan Dojo

Testimonials

Three of our Students attended the 15th Annual Gasshuku and Misogi
“The Year of Action!” Seminar at Monterey Budokan (California)
in January 2008

Here are their comments:

Mike: “What an awesome experience! The entire three day weekend was jam packed with fun, excitement, and training. From the minute we arrived the training began, we essentially only stopped for food and sleep. The whole experience was impressive, from the amazing numbers of Black Belts, to the warm, friendly, family atmosphere that is Seibukan Jujutsu. The experienced Black Belts where very professional, motivating, and an exciting happy bunch who loved to teach, and critique our progress in a very positive format. They all went out of their way to welcome us to Monterey, to that end I want to extend a personal “Thank You” to all the instructors and students of Honbo Dojo in Monterey! I can’t wait to go back.”

Jennifer: "The Misogi trip opened my eyes to many possibilities. As an emerging female martial artist it was an exciting experience to meet other women involved in the art. My resources have grown I have new connections with people who can relate in my challenges and help with my awareness. Not only was it a learning experience but a chance to connect to good people whose goals are similar."

Bruce: "I had a wonderful time going to Monterey with Sensei, Mike, and Jennifer. In addition to our training at Seibukan Dojo, the adventures we had involving touch-and-go flying, gale-force winds, and an apartment without heat or electricity were quite the bonding experience. I'm glad to have been able to travel with the four of them, and to get to them better over the course of the weekend.

At the dojo, we had the honor of receiving personal instruction from several of the highest-ranking blackbelts. They helped Mike, Jennifer and me with our Tai Sabaki, high falls, and jo kata, showing aspects of these forms that both reinforced and complemented what we had learned at Tenchikan Dojo. Their teaching reflected their mastery of the material, yet was clear and usually easy to follow. Simply watching them execute techniques on the mat was inspiring, as they showed how gracefully and fluidly the movements can be performed. I am grateful for the generosity they showed in taking the time to work with us, especially after class hours on Friday and Saturday night.

It was of course a tremendous honor and opportunity to receive instruction from Kancho during the classes on Saturday and Sunday. He spent time discussing different jujutsu principles, and for each would demonstrate a technique that would in some way illustrate that principle. The techniques generally began with the basics and then advanced to higher and higher dan levels of knowledge. When I had trouble following, the many experienced students on the mat were good at explaining the constituent parts. It was wonderful seeing (and briefly participating in) the end-of-class demonstrations given by the senior students and dojo-cho, where they were really allowed to show some of the breadth of their knowledge. It is good to know that the traditions that were once handed down among the samauri are being kept alive by such dedicated teachers and students.

The whole trip was a really positive experience for me, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to go again soon."