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.
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Translation by Jouanah Ghori.
Original text in French: http://www.shenjiying.com/fr/pratiques/autres_pratiques.htm
