Message from the Head Instructor: A Year of Change The 9 months since the passing of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu 14th Soke, Tsumaki Seirin Genshin, on June 5 of 2007 have been ones of great change for Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu. We have seen the ascension of Soke Sensei’s son, Fuku Soke (Assistant Headmaster) Tsumaki Kazuo Genwa Sensei, to the positions of 15th Soshi (Headmaster) of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu and Kaicho (President) of the new blanket organization known as the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai. The creation of the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai in September of 2007 ushered in a new age for Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu. The formal structure of this new organization, which possesses defined policies and procedures, gives to all those who practice Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu an assurance that this particular form of Koryu Bujutsu will have a solid organizational foundation and will be able to continue for the next generation. We have also seen the resumption of formal Tamiya Ryu Koshukai and Shinsakai in Japan in November of 2007, after a 3 year hiatus due to Soke Sensei’s inability to attend these events due to his advanced age. We have seen as well the birth of the new Japanese Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai internet homepage, through the tireless efforts of Mr. Takao Shiomoto and, for the first time in the history of USTRI, we have seen the appointment of its leader as a sitting member (Riji) on the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai Board of Directors, giving USTRI a voice in the inner workings of the general organization. Change is inevitable. While all of us had hoped that Soke Sensei would achieve his goal of living to 105, none of us…even Soke Sensei himself…could predict what would happen in June of 2007. Change is a part of life. When the responsibility of transmitting and preserving a Koryu Bujutsu, like Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu, passes from one generation to the next, we realize that the new generation will bring to the art their own unique perspective and goals…building on what has already been established, but which must evolve to stay alive, fresh and relevant. Finally, Change is necessary. Without change, an art stagnates and dies. Without change, we cannot continue to follow the path of progress in our study of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu. Like the water of a river that is constantly flowing and changing and which adapts to the form of the vessel into which it is poured, we who are loyal to the Tsumaki family and the art they have protected since 1797 must adapt to the new form which the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai has crated for us and conform to it in order to continue to improve our spirit, our technique…and ourselves. Respectfully submitted, Michael Alexanian (Gennan)
The Reflecting Pool: Preserving the “Wa” of the Dojo… In his book, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony, H. E. Davey states that:
Although Davey is speaking in terms of the Shodo (Calligraphy) classroom setting, his thoughts can apply equally well to the Dojo environment. How many times have we worked on a particular Kata, or specific element of a Kata, only to be told by our Instructor that it is not quite correct and to repeat it again, and again, and again until some evidence of progress is visible, all the while becoming more and more frustrated with ourselves? How many times have we come to the Dojo feeling like we are carrying the “weight of the world on our shoulders” and bring that feeling with us onto the floor, neglecting to leave it outside when we enter the training environment? How many times during class have we expressed negativity either by word (“No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to do it!”) or by action (for example, by making our inner negativity visible to others through physical responses)? These are the kinds of things that have a detrimental effect not only on our fellow Deshi, but on the overall harmony, or Wa, of the Dojo. It is imperative that each time we enter the Dojo we leave all negativity behind us and approach our training (and its challenges) with a positive and constructive attitude. In this way, we all contribute to the Wa of the Dojo and make it a better place for everyone. Concerning the topic of Wa, Davey goes on to state that:
One can easily read “sword” for “brush” and “technique” for “calligraphy” here and it makes perfect sense. So, if we accept the fact that feelings of frustration and disappointment are emotions that we all experience in the Dojo at one time or another, what alternatives do we have for dealing with these feelings in a more positive way so that we do not affect our classmates negatively and compromise the harmony of the Dojo? Here is one example: An Instructor corrects a particular technique in our Kata performance several times and we do not seem to correct it with the next repetition, and the next, and the next. When we are asked to try to improve it by repeating it yet one more time, instead of ‘beating ourselves up’ and adopting a negative, defeatist approach, we should do our utmost to face the challenge ‘head-on’ and positively. When asked to do it again, we should say: “Hai, Sensei, ganbarimasu!” (“Yes, Teacher, I will do my best!”) This way, the harmony of the Dojo is preserved and everyone will feel encouraged by seeing their classmate’s positive approach to their challenge . Please remember…we are all human and we all make mistakes. Instructors, Deshi and, yes, even Tsumaki Sensei, all struggle with certain Kata and techniques from time to time and make errors; but it is HOW we deal with these frustrations and disappointments that is the key factor here. As the time for the Shinsa (formal testing) draws closer with each passing day, strive to approach your training positively and always keep at the forefront of your thinking that everything you say and do in the Dojo has a direct impact on everyone else around you…for good or ill. If your inner harmony is solid and true, then it will inspire and encourage those around to follow suit and soon, the entire Dojo will function as a harmonious whole.
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