| 19 January 2010
The original Rembukan Dojo existed in a delightful suburb of Tokyo and backed up to a greenway. The walk to the dojo from the bus was always a respite from the hard concrete walls that is the big city of Tokyo.
It was an austere place that generated a wonderful feeling for those of us who got the opportunity to train there. The Rembukan was a portal in which Westerners gained access to Japan's authentic kobudo (older martial practice).
Today with ease of travel, softened cultural barriers and even the internet it is probably hard to imagine that permission was granted to train in Japan only after an interview process and after someone vouched for your character. Shimizu Sensei worked closely with Donn Draeger, the senior ranking Westerner responsible for approving non-Japanese students interested in studying Shindo Muso Ryu. Draeger Sensei also helped open other dojo doors for many of us to expand our training experience. I don't believe that anyone would've taken for granted the privilege of training at the Rembukan.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Recently Added Article
20 July 2011
The Bushi (warrior) Class as Pencil Pushing Bureaucrats
Many of us that study martial traditions are cultural victims today of the propaganda efforts to instill the “Code of Bushido” as...- 23 July 2010 What’s In a Name?
- 14 March 2010 Tradition – Tradition
- 14 March 2010 Bad Kime-Musashi's Timing in History
- 14 March 2010 Musashi Did Not Kill Kojiro-Part2
- 14 March 2010 Commericalization of Makimono
- 14 March 2010 Donn F. Draeger
- 14 March 2010 Bruce Lee vs. Donn F. Draeger
- 13 March 2010 9video Collections