United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu _Gennankai

I’ve been a member of USTRI since 2002. I’ve been part of this for more years than my age at the time I joined. The katana has been my favorite sword since I was a kid. When I was shown Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu for the first time, I decided I had to join.

Tamiya Ryu is a koryu Japanese martial art and with it comes a strict system of etiquette or rei or reishiki. Originally I wasn’t interested in etiquette, but since it was part of the package, I was willing to learn it.

Not long after I started practicing iaijutsu I read something that explained the purpose of etiquette is to make social interactions more enjoyable. That description changed my perspective. To me, etiquette and manners was just a another system of rules imposed on me. But, if the point is to make others comfortable, then etiquette becomes something virtuous.

Because it involves concern for the wellbeing of others, I don’t feel that it’s a stretch to call etiquette virtuous. There are many people who suffer from emotional problems and social anxiety. By being sensitive to the feelings of others and taking steps to steer those feelings in a positive direction we can potentially make a world of difference for someone.

I don’t claim to be good at etiquette and manners, but I do believe in the values behind it and I strive to improve.

This is one example of something I’ve learned at USTRI, and there are many others, that I’ve been able to use to make better decisions and improve my situation in life.

For that I want to express a very special thanks to my instructor, Michael Alexanian…

Gennan Buhaku Sensei, doumo arigatou gozaimasu.

-William Smith (Genka)