30th Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Zen Nihon Iaido Taikai 2023

After a long 4 year break, members of Seito Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (MJER) were able to get together for the organization’s annual taikai and banquet. This will mostly be a journal-style post about my trip, but first, What is the MJER Zen Nihon Iaido Taikai? The Muso Jikiden Eishin…

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Getting a Montsuki in a Pinch

It’s the middle of summer here in Gifu. Thankfully, summers are shorter than they are in my hometown, Houston, but hot nonetheless. I was driving to work in my car-turned-oven when I realized something: I’m participating in an iaido embu at a very nice Noh theater in August. I need…

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Kenshin VS Shishio ~ A Rurouni Kenshin Sword Exhibit in Seki

At the time I’m writing this, it’s starting to get a little warmer here in Japan. The plum blossoms are blooming and everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms. If you’ve ever seen the anime or manga called Rurouni Kenshin, I’m sure you’re familiar with the lovely spring scenes…

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7th Anniversary for the 23rd MJER Soke

On May 12, 2019, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the 7 year anniversary ceremony commemorating Fukui Masato-sensei becoming the 23rd soke of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. Before the Event This ceremony happens annually at Inaba Jinja (JP) in Gifu City. I’ve been a member of Chubu Eishinkan…

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Surviving Winter in Japan

Unless you’re somewhere near the equator, everyone experiences winter. It’s cold and unpleasant for some people and a winter wonderland for others. However, when you up and move far far away, you often find winter to be a different sort of beast. This is what I discovered my first winter…

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