This year the students of the Yamakage Dojo had the honor of hosting Dowdy Sensei for the 2011 seminars. His return to our dojo was a great honor afforded to us by The 17th Toyoda Soke. Thank you very much, Toyoda Soke.
This year also brought the return of Parr Sensei of the Makiba Dojo, based in Las Vegas, as well as Den Ridder san and Gaddie san. Our dojo is thankful to train with you and to have the opportunity to strengthen our family.
The Yamakage Dojo would like to express our deepest appreciation to The 17th Toyoda Soke, Kuwana Sensei, and Dowdy Sensei for traveling great distances to visit the American dojos. The Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido® students of America have enjoyed your visit greatly and have learned much during your stay. Our thoughts and well wishes follow you home.
The Yamakage Dojo would also like to congratulate all the students attending this year’s seminars and testing. A very special and heartfelt congratulations go out to those who were selected to be evaluated. You have worked hard to improve yourselves as well as you Iai, thank you for your continued efforts.
10/30/10
In Himeji, Japan the Toyoda Ryu Nippon Merinkai® Taikai is held every five years and showcases four hours of various Kenshibudo performances and Iaido kata. On October 30, 2010, ten American students of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido® had the prestigious honor of traveling to Japan and demonstrating Iaido at this event. This last year’s Taikai was especially meaningful because it was held in honor of the 16th Toyoda Seito Soke and was also the first time all the U.S. dojos were represented in one location.
We, the students of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido® of the United States, would like to give our most heart felt thanks to 17th Toyoda Seito Soke for inviting us to pay our respects to the 16th Toyoda Seito Soke and to preform Iaido in his memory. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to all the Toyoda Ryu Nippon Merinkai® members for being such gracious hosts and for sacrificing their personal time in making sure we have memories to last us a life time.
07/18/10
In August 2009, Robert Corella, having refused multiple invitations and opportunities (for advancement) over several years along with his constant disregard for Seito Toyoda Soke's whishes and blatant disrespect of the Japanese Instructors, was up for disciplinary action.
His own students having petitioned, Japan agreed to allow Robert Corella's students and dojos to sever all ties from Kenshin Dojo becoming completely independent and answerable only to Japan Meirinkai. While pending further disciplinary action, Robert Corella chose to quit Toyoda Ryu Nippon Meirinkai® in October 2009. Mr. Corella has since aligned himself with Hiyabuchi Soke in June 2010.
08/09/09
From Kazmer Sensei and all the members of YAMAKAGE dojo. We would like to extend CONGRATULATIONS to Pedro Borrego Sensei and all his members at the EL PASO dojo and Mike Ross Sensei and all his members at the AUSTIN dojos who tested and passed.
Also, we would like to express our special CONGRATULATIONS to the FIRST TWO Female SHODANS of ARAKI MUJINSAI RYU IAIDO® in the United States…
Cheryl Adams (Tx)
Shannon Romero (Ca, Above)
………BANZAI BANZAI BANZAI !!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Steven Parr Sensei and his members at the Las Vegas dojo.
A heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to all the members of the KENSHIN dojo who have tested and passed.
As a result of this year’s testing, three-quarters of the Yamakage dojo members are now Yudansha. I would like to thank all my students for their hard work and effort.
-Mike Kazmer Sensei