Nito seiho, Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu kenjutsu

Photography by Antonin Borgeaud. Reproduction forbidden.

The way transcends all rules

Jose Carmona: Could you tell us about the specificity of the Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu of which you are the tenth soke (representative) since its Founder, Miyamoto Musashi?
Imai sensei: The practice of the double sword is prior to Miyamoto Musashi, who codified it within his ryu (school). The kata transmitted through the ryu (essentially there are seven which are performed one sword against another, and five which are performed two swords against only one, ed.) could be compared to exercises consisting in immersing oneself in the master’s teaching, his technique but also his spirit. However, through these tools, each and everyone has to manage to express his difference, his unicity. In fact, there are no rules. For instance in the execution of kata, we hold the katana on the right and the short sword on the left, but all in all, this is of no importance, we could very well do the reverse. The kata allow us to find the way which itself transcends all rules. From this viewpoint there are no fundamental differences between kenjutsu schools.

Click here to read the full interview.
Translation by Jouanah Ghori.
Original text in French: http://www.shenjiying.com/fr/pratiques/autres_pratiques.htm

Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu, Paris, France, 2011

Kata: immersing oneself in the master’s teaching, his technique but also his spirit

José Carmona: Could you tell us about the specificity of the Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu of which you are the tenth soke (representative) since its Founder, Miyamoto Musashi?

Imai sensei: The practice of the double sword is prior to Miyamoto Musashi, who codified it within his ryu (school). The kata transmitted through the ryu (essentially there are seven which are performed one sword against another, and five which are performed two swords against only one, ed.) could be compared to exercises consisting in immersing oneself in the master’s teaching, his technique but also his spirit. However, through these tools, each and everyone has to manage to express his difference, his unicity. In fact, there are no rules. For instance in the execution of kata, we hold the katana on the right and the short sword on the left, but all in all, this is of no importance, we could very well do the reverse. The kata allow us to find the way which itself transcends all rules. From this viewpoint there are no fundamental differences between ken-jutsu schools.

Click here to read the full interview.

Original text in French: http://www.shenjiying.com/fr/pratiques/autres_pratiques.htm

“Ken-jutsu is also the implication of reflection and heart within the action” said Imai soke, 10th successor to Musashi

José Carmona: Imai sensei, for over seven decades you have been dedicated to the Way of the budo (martial arts). What has been your conception of the art of the sword during all these years?

Imai sensei: A lifetime of practice has allowed me to seize the difference between the technique (jutsu) and the Way (do). Ken-jutsu (sword technique) teaches us how to practice, how to fight. It is not only about movements or strategy, it is also about the mental stance, the implication of reflection and heart within the action. Although I started the study of kendo at a very young age, I must admit that I only realised the spirit of it at a later stage, when I reached seventy years old! Prior to this, I would fight with much ardour, winning victories which left me in a state of exhaustion. When comprehension dawned upon me, my perception of the opponent completely changed: I would no longer feel his strength, height, weight or youth, there was no more opposition, only a sense of lightness…The true “Way of the sword”, kendo, is not a fighting technique but a way to unify the human and the divine. It is a spiritual practice, a way for humanity.

Click here to read the full interview.

Original text in French: http://www.shenjiying.com/fr/pratiques/autres_pratiques.htm

Why practice Musashi’s kenjutsu?

“One does seiho (techniques) to meet Musashi.” Iwami Toshio soke, Musashi’s11th successor

Silence to listen, silence to learn, sweat to remove resistance

The dojo is such a place where questions are asked through practice and only practice. One has to drop down one’s questions in order to hear the teaching of the sword. Silence and efforts help to make the teaching clear.

2011 France workshop with Iwami soke

Iwami soke and Nguyen Thanh Thien

Photography by Siegfried Lepeut

2011 International Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu seminar in France

See

• International Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu seminar 2011
• Stage International Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu 2011