The Iaido Newsletter
A publication of shared distribution dedicated to the Japanese sword arts, Iaido, Kendo and the Koryu A Sei Do Kai Publication (Incorporating the OKF News) http://www.uoguelph.ca/~iaido	Vol 10/4 #91 Apr 1998 $5.00 per issue PHOTOCOPY AND SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER! http://www.uoguelph.ca/~kataylor

SEMINAR/EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

USNF NEWS

1. The 1998 USNF General Meeting will be held on Sunday, 8 March 1998, at San Jose [CA] State University in Room SPX 107 aat 9:30 AM. All members are welcome. An agenda and directions will be available 2 weeks prior to the meeting in the USNF section of our web-site <www.naginata.org>. The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors will follow immediately after this General Meeting.

Normally this meeting is on the last Sunday in March, but because a quorum of board members would be present for the Shingetsukai Tendo-ryu Naginata- jutsu Seminar on 9-11 March, the executive board decided to call these meetings 3 weeks early. As it happened, the Board meeting preceeded the General Meeting.

Highlights from the Treasurer's Report include

- 90 current members (85 adults & 5 minors),

- the IRS 5-Year Review of Non-Profit status has been approved (i.e., the status is permanent).

A recent issue, insurance for the USNF, was presented by our Recording Secretary, Ms. Diana Payne, Esq. The issue of insurance has caused the USNF problems of recent -- a few Dojo in the Western US have had to suspend practices because of this (the owners of rented/leased space have begun to require at least $1M insurance policy coverage). With the insurance information still incomplete, the Board voted to put a policy in place ASAP as long as the annual premium does not exceed $500; in general, each site (i.e., Dojo) would be required to pay an additional $50, a relatively standard fee, in order to be added to the policy. Some plans required a "per member" fee as well, others don't (I believe the Board favors the latter type in order to keep the bookkeeping simple). To cover this new expense, adult membership was increased by $5 to $30 (the membership fee for minors is unchanged at $15) by the Board for the coming fiscal year beginning 1 April.

The second big issue was the rewriting of our By-Laws, which have not been changed since the USNF was established in 1974. Mr. Kurt Schmucker, V.P., presented a 10-page draft proposal that he and our Treasurer, Mr. Dan Garrett, have written. Several comments were made by the Board and some attending members. A revised draft will be presented to the Board at the next meeting during the annual seminar at Salt Lake City. With the Board's approval, these revised By-laws will be presented to the membership for a vote along with the election of officers next year (1999).

2. The USNF Board of Directors has approved the proposal from the [regional] Rocky Mountain Naginata Federation to host the 1998 Biennial Tournament and Annual Seminar & Shinsa. The dates are 6-9 August 1998, and the location is Weber State University in Salt Lake City, Utah. As additional information becomes available (cost, housing, meals, etc.), I will post them to this list. I hope to have that information before the beginning of Summer. As always beginners are welcome to attend the Seminar.

The final big issue was a series of decisions with respect to the 1998 Biennial Shiai (tournament) and Annual Seminar & Shinsa (promotion exams) in Salt Lake City. The following schedule was approved:

- 6 Aug 1998: Shimpan (referee) Seminar.

- 7-8 Aug 1998: Annual Seminar [BoD Meeting on the first evening].

- 8 Aug 1998: Shinsa during the last 2 hours of the day.

- 9 Aug 1998: Shiai.

The Shiai was changed from the first day (Thursday, 6 Aug) to the last day (Sunday, 9 Aug) to allow more people to participate -- initial slots for the US delegation to the INF [International Naginata Federation] Championships in Paris in April, 1999, will be filled by the USNF Selection Committee based on the performances of members, who are interested in international competition, at the Salt Lake City Tournament this year. [Additional information on delegate selection is forthcoming.]

The following, associated fees were also approved:

- Shimpan Seminar: $35 [restricted to Sandan and above; lower ranks are invited to participate in mock Shiai and Engi (forms competition) without charge].

- Annual Seminar: $35/day or $60 for both days.

- Shiai: $15 for Team Shiai; $10 for one individual event and $15 for both (see events below).

The following events were decided on for the Tournament (adults only):

- Team Shiai with a team consisting of 2 males and 1 female; each regional federation is limited to no more than 2 teams.

- Individual Shiai - 4 categories based on gender (male and female) and rank [Yudansha (black belt) and Dangai (below black belt)].

- Engi [the two people in the pair must be from the same regional federation] with 2 categories:

-- Yudansha (Shikake-Oogi #1, #4, #6; same as for the 1999 INF Championship in Paris), and

-- Dangai (Shikake-Oogi #1, #2, #4).

In addition, the following demonstration event was also approved for the Tournament:

- Kokai Engi for Sandan and higher [Zen Nihon (Naginata Renmei) Kata #1, #4, #5]; there are no restrictions on participants other than rank (since you have to be Sandan to learn these seven Kata), because this is a demonstration event.

Kyudo Schedule of Kanjuro Shibata Sensei.

Ryuko Kyudojo in Boulder, CO, has released the following teaching schedule of Kanjuro Shibata Sensei.

10-12 April, San Francisco Kyudo Intensive

Contact: Lucy Halverson, Phone 415-681-1185.

5-14 June, Karme-Choling Kyudo Instructors Training (*)

Contact: Eric Laufe, Phone 802-633-2384.

17-21 June, Karme-Choling Kudo Program

Contact: Eric Laufe, Phone 802-633-2384.

26-28 June, Montreal (Quebec) Kyudo Intensive

Contact: Jean Pierre Poggi, Phone 514-747-9341.

3-6 July, Halifax (Nova Scotia) Kyudo Intensive

Contact: Matthew Zalichin, Phone 902-423-0449.

20-25 July, RMSC Kyudo Program

Contact: Scott Spanbauer, Phone 303-442-7088.

25-30 July, RMSC Kyudo Instructor's Training (*)

Contact: Scott Spanbauer, Phone 303-442-7088.

2-13 August, Dechen Choling (France) Kyudo Program

Contact: Heike Mitze, Phone/FAX 49-228-632117.

14-16 August, Vienna (Austria) Kyudo Intensive

Contact: Heike Mitze, Phone/FAX 49-228-632117.

19-21 September, Sante Fe (NM) Kyudo Intensive

Contact: Tanya Epp, Phone 505-473-3063, 505-820-0583.

(*) Sensei has opened the Instructor's Training to include instructors, assistants, and intermediate/ advanced practitioners.

"We are very pleased to invite you to the Advanced Kyudo Intensive at Karme Choling, this June 5 to 14. In order to spend as much time as possible together as a group with Sensei, we are all encouraged to participate in the full nine-day intensive. This kyudo retreat will be a unique opportunity to deepen our practice and our personal connection with Sensei.

This year's format is a bit different than in previous years. Traditionally, this program has been for instructors, instructors-in-training and a few invited guests. This year, in the interest of creating greater exposure to kyudo, Sensei has opened the program to any kyudo practitioner who has been shooting for at least one year. It is always a rigorous and demanding program, as well as an extremely powerful and exhilarating one. For these reasons, we strongly request that you consider this program only if you have had a consistent practice for at least one year. Please call or fax David Harlap in Boulder if you have any questions concerning your eligibility or participation in the program (303-440-0603). For all other questions regarding the kyudo program or Karme Choling, call the Karme Choling contact people listed."

The Karme Choling contact people are Mr. Eric Laufe and Mr. Pascal Machado. Phone: 802-633-2384 Daily office hours 1:30 - 5:30 PM EST. FAX: 802-633-3012 email: KarmeCholing@ConnRiver.net

Cost (5-14 June, Karme-Choling Kyudo Instructors Training): 375/nine-days or $75/day.

IAIDO PRACTICE TOPS 100% cotton, sized to you and supplied at cost through the Sei Do Kai. $70 (includes postage). Black or white, other colours may be extra. Measure the chest size at nipple height, shoulder point to shoulder point, and from neck to mid-thigh. Send your measurements to Sei Do Kai. 44 Inkerman St. Guelph, Ontario Canada N1H 3C5.

SEMINAR REPORTS

JODO IN GUELPH

with Polland Sensei, Feb 28 - Mar 1, 1998.

By Eric Tribe, Thunder Bay

I had the pleasure of attending a Jodo seminar hosted by the Sei Do Kai in Guelph, Ontario Canada the last weekend of February. The seminar featured instruction by sensei Rick Polland, and one of his senior students, Mr. Richard Strassbaugh, both of whom made the trip to Guelph from Annapolis, Maryland.

Polland sensei is the founding instructor of the Rembukan dojo in Annapolis, Maryland, where instruction can be obtained in both Iaido and the various arts of the Shindo Muso Ryu. Polland sensei studied Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo in Japan for many years under the instruction of the late Shimizu Takaji Sensei at the Rembukan Dojo, and currently studies under Shimizu sensei's former deshi, and current head of the Nihon Jodokai, Kaminoda Tsunemori Sensei.

Jodo is the way of the stick. The stick is a 51" staff of about 1" diameter made of dense hardwood such as Japanese white oak. Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo is comprised of many two-person kata which feature Jo versus katana. The advantage to the Jo is two fold, first the Jo is approximately 8" longer than the sword, and secondly it can be used end-over-end. Due to these two factors, the Jo man covers approximately 1.5 times the distance that the sword man does on each attack. The control of the combative distance (maai) is a critical component of any Jodo kata. In all Jodo kata, wooden weapons are used, and no protective equipment is worn; this, combined with the precise timing and distances involved, demands full concentration or injury is a definite possibility. This makes Jodo both a physical and a mental exercise. The techniques of Jodo involve strikes, blocks, thrusts, locks and throws.

The seminar was quite well attended with several people traveling long distances to receive instruction from Polland sensei. Attendees were from all parts of Southern Ontario, with some participants from further afield, such as Montreal, Detroit, New Hampshire, and New York State.

The seminar in Guelph featured instruction in Seitei Jo (Z.N.K.R. Seitei Gata) with emphasis placed equally on kihon and kata.

The first day of the seminar started with a warm up and kihon, this helped Polland sensei judge the skill levels of the participants, which ranged from first-timers to those with a couple of years experience. In other words everyone was a beginner. At the end of the kihon practice Polland broke the participants into groups based on experience, and these groups then worked on learning the kihon, learning new kata, or improving their kata.

Polland sensei pointed out that kihon are the 12 fundamental movements of Jodo, not only in terms of being part of the kata, but in terms of being a foundation on which to build the kata. The kihon are intended to teach not only the movement of the stick, but also the movement of the body.

After a break for lunch, the seminar continued in one of the gymnasiums at the University of Guelph, this particular space was quite long (approximately the width five volleyball courts) and Polland sensei decided to work on solving one of our problems with Jodo on this surface. It was only after we lined up that it dawned on us it was time for "Kihon on the deck of an aircraft carrier". The purpose of this was two-fold, first of all practising the kihon is never wasted practice, and secondly many of us were still trying to find the "Tim the Jo Man Taylor - More Power" solution to Jodo. As Polland pointed out the solution to Jodo can only be found in correct form (body mechanics) and not the application of lots of muscle. Thus the secondary purpose of the exercise was to tire us out so that we would naturally rely on our body mechanics and not muscle power.

After kihon we went back to practising kata, only this time as a group; this way beginners and advanced students were mixing, allowing us to feel the kata from differing points of view. This was a tremendous exercise in controlling the maai especially when your weapon and your partner were constantly changing.

The end of day one of the seminar saw all of the participants tired, yet with new insights into Jodo, and armed with lots to work on during day two. But before day two it was time for beer and food, the perfect solution for sore throats.

Day two had the participants in the same groups as day one with the focus on attempting to incorporate the lessons of day one into the body and the mind. Some of the most important lessons learned were about budo fundamentals, and therefore applicable to more than just Jodo. For instance there was a primary focus during this seminar on learning to move from the hips, a common thread in all Japanese martial arts. As well as moving from the hips with proper stance and posture, the reliance on the upper body was de-emphasised. Learning these lessons, with both the body and the mind, and combining proper maai and motion of the Jo are part of the struggle all Jodo-ka are engaged in.

Day two ended with a demonstration by Polland and Strassbaugh of several kata from Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo.

The seminar ended with all participants saying that they had good time, and that they had learned something, not only about Jodo, but about their primary arts and budo fundamentals. I would like to thank Polland sensei for sharing some of his knowledge and expertise with us and urge anyone with an interest in improving their budo to attend one of his seminars, you won't be disappointed. ZNKR Seitei Jodo instruction is available in Ontario Canada at: the Toronto Academy of the Canadian Martial Arts Commission, Sei Do Kai in Guelph, and Rai Ko Kai in Thunder Bay.

The twelve kihon of seitei jo are: Honte Uchi Gyakute Uchi Hikiotoshi Uchi Kaeshi-Tsuki Makiotoshi Kuritsuke Gyakute-Tsuki Kurihanashi Tai-Atari Tsuki-Hazushii Uchi Dobarai Uchi Tai Hazushii Uchi (migi) Tai Hazushii Uchi (hidari)

The twelve kata of seitei jo are: Tsukizue Suigetsu Hissage Shamen Sakan Monomi Kasumi Tachiotoshi Raiuchi Seigan Midaredome Ran-ai

Yearly subscriptions (12 issues) to the Journal of Japanese Sword Arts are $36 cdn in Canada, $36 US in USA, and $48 overseas. Subscriptions, stories, news, views, and anything else should be sent to Kim Taylor Editor JJSA, 44 Inkerman St. Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 3C5. 519-836-4357

INTERVIEW

ABOUT TOYAMA RYU IAI AND SUNDRY

An interview of Inoue Soke in Helsinki on June 15, 1997 by Pasi Hellstén (interpreted by Mr. Yuji Matsuoi). Translation into English: Ms. Leena Mäkinen.

Inoue Tsuyoshi Munetoshi, Soke of Hontai Yoshin ryu jujutsu, instructed a seminar in June 1997 in the Helsinki Sports Hall. Hontai Yoshin ryu iaijutsu was included in the curriculum. As we knew that he had also taught Toyama ryu iai, which is a more modern iaijutsu art, we requested an interview on the subject. This interview was made during the closing party of the seminar.

Is it so that Soke is nowadays teaching only Hontai Yoshin ryu iaijutsu and not Toyama ryu iaido?

Soke is still teaching both arts.

Can we ask a few questions about Toyama ryu? We are under the impression that Nakayama Hakudo Sensei was one of the founders of Toyama ryu iai. Is it true?

Nakayama Hakudo Sensei was an instructor for the Japanese army, air forces and navy. In the Showa era he was the kenjutsu shihan or head instructor for these forces. One of the places where he taught was Toyama Gakko in Tokyo. Nakayama Hakudo Sensei's own background was in Eishin ryu and on that basis he attempted to teach and work out techniques suited for the armed forces.

Are there similarities in Toyama ryu and the Mugai ryu we just had an opportunity to learn?

It is true that there are similar techniques in various styles, but the Toyama ryu techniques originate with Nakayama Hakudo Sensei.

What was the role of Nakamura Taisaburo of Toyama ryu?

Nakayama Hakudo Sensei created Toyama ryu iai. During and after the war there were some kendo students who were Nakayama Hakudo Sensei's pupils, and they wanted to preserve his Toyama ryu. They came together after the war and started to train again. At that time colonel Morinaga was instructing at Toyama Gakko, and his superior was Usawa Kyuzo, a major-general. Another subordinate of Usawa Sensei was Yamaguchi Yuuki, who was of a lower rank than Colonel Morinaga, but had first-class sword technique. It was at that time that Nakamura came to study at the school.

Nakamura Sensei is no longer active in Toyama ryu, but has his own school, Nakamura ryu?

That is correct. Morinaga Sensei, Yamaguchi Sensei and Nakamura Sensei met in Kyoto in Showa 51 (1976) for the first Zen Koku Taikai. These three persons were planning to unite the three Toyama ryu styles. After the Taikai there was a closing party, where Nakamura Taisaburo Sensei distributed cards naming him the Toyama ryu Soshihan or head instructor. Morinaga and Yamaguchi senseis remarked that they had not discussed granting the rank of soshihan to Nakamura Taisaburo. They were after all his teachers!

The Head of Toyama ryu?

As there was no unification, there still are three branches, Yamaguchi-ha, Morinaga-ha and Nakamura-ha. There is no common leader.

When did Soke become active in Toyama ryu?

In Showa 51 he and Sato Sensei participated in a demonstration, but two or three years before that Kobayashi Sensei from Himeji had asked Inoue Sensei to come and help them out with the Toyama ryu. In Nishinomiya as well as the Hyogo and Himeji prefectures Toyama ryu was in a bad shape, and Inoue Sensei's presence was bound to improve things. This is why he decided to go along.

Soke has apparently also practiced jukendo?

Soke has a 8th dan in jukendo, and this was one of the reasons why Kobayashi Sensei wanted Soke to join Toyama ryu iai.

Did Soke's knowledge of jukendo originate in the army?

Soke was not in the army before the war, but in those days all citizens over 13 years had to know jukendo. That is where his knowledge of the art comes from.

Is Toyama Gakko in Tokyo?

Not any more. Soke does not remember where in Tokyo the building was situated. Toyama Gakko was an army school, but in addition to budo there was also an army music school in the premises. In fact, Toyama Gakko used to be famous as the Army Music School, the budo activities were kept somewhat secret.

Was Toyama Gakko open for both officers and non-commissioned officers?

Not especially for officers or non- commissioned officers. Also privates who had distinguished themselves could be called to attend.

Who grants the grades in Toyama ryu?

The grades in use are dan grades and renshi, kyoshi and hanshi instructor grades. Nowadays, and also before, of course, all the three styles see to their own grades. The grades begin from 1st dan and renshi can be obtained after 5th dan. After the 5th dan one has to train for about ten years before one can get a kyoshi.

Toyama ryu is then still taught in various parts of Japan?

The three schools have a bit differing technique, though they are of course close to each other. Inoue Soke is practicing under Yamaguchi Yuuki Sensei, and Yamaguchi-ha is the biggest of the schools. During the army period Yamaguchi Sensei taught iai all the time, and his technique is superb. He is now 97 years old and still teaches. He lives in Sapporo on Hokkaido. Every year Sensei comes to Kyushu driving his own car. For many years he has said that this may be his last trip, but always he has come again. He was bout 180 cm tall when he was young, but now he is somewhat shorter. But his shoulders are still like those of Soke and Sato Sensei together and his arms are thick as the thighs of other people. In the early days he used to teach kendo and jukendo in Kanto-kun in Manchuria.

Is tameshigiri important in Toyama ryu? Is it practiced a lot?

There is tameshigiri practice once a month at our Honbu dojo, in Nishinomiya, but it is not of prime importance. There are many other things which one has to practice. Still, tameshigiri is necessary at times for understanding of hasuji (the right path of the blade).

Is the sword used in Toyama ryu a short one?

It does not matter, a long one will do. During the army times the length was set at 2 shaku 1 sun. It can be measured thus: if you let your arm hang naturally down your side gripping a sword lightly and then swing it back and forth, the kensaki (tip of the sword) must not touch the ground. In the army all long swords were shortened to the same length with a machine. There were so many swords it was not possible to do this by hand.

How does Soke see the differences between Toyama ryu and Hontai Yoshin ryu iai?

Toyama ryu is meant for real situations and does not include suwariwaza techniques. Soke has himself trained Eishin ryu, Mugai ryu and Toyama ryu.

Soke wants to start kenjutsu again because bugei ju happan (the traditional Samurai fighting arts) are a part of his Hontai Yoshin ryu style. In Sekiguchi ryu, among others, there is nowadays more kenjutsu even though the jujutsu in that school used to be first-rate.

Soke is reviving iaijutsu. Was it so that the previous soke did not teach much iaijutsu?

Yes, it was so. The previous Soke, Minaki Saburo did not teach much iaijutsu. Perhaps he thought jujutsu was best and taught it. In the Samurai times the previous soke would surely have taught more about the use of a sword.

Still, did Minaki Soke practice iaijutsu himself?

Yes, he did. Soke's sword is his sword.

Are the teaching scrolls still in use?

Yes, they have been passed down. They include ken (sword arts), kodachi (short sword), jujutsu, bojutsu, teppo (firearms) and sojutsu (spear fighting). But not all of these arts are nowadays included in the curriculum.

What is the place of iaijutsu, when one teaches other things, such as jujutsu, bojutsu etc.?

It is very important. If one cannot use a sword, one cannot know bujutsu. In Hontai Yoshin ryu a beginner should begin with iai. It is all the same whether one starts with Sato Sensei's Mugai ryu or Hontai Yoshin ryu iaijutsu, anything will do. It is better to start with a sword, for if one has not practiced iai, it is difficult to understand the sword side in jujutsu and bojutsu. In the times of the Samurai almost all holders of menkyo kaiden in jujutsu had a menkyo kaiden in kenjutsu or iaijutsu, too.

Are there many Hontai Yoshin ryu dojos?

Not so many. There is Honbu Dojo at Nishinomiya, other dojos in Himeji and a few places on Kyushu.

Also the ninjutsu teacher Hatsumi says that they are using Hontai Takagi Yoshin ryu jujutsu, but that is somewhat unclear. All our other dojos are to the south of Honbu Dojo. There are no dojos in the Kanto area.

How do you go about gradings in Hontai Yoshin ryu?

Usually the arts are not graded separately: there is only one grade for all of them. In Japan not all wish to train in all the arts included in Hontai Yoshin ryu. Sometimes it is possible to give people dan grades just in the arts they train, but usually you have to master all of them. In the "partial" arts you cannot get a menkyo grade, which are:

2nd dan shoden menkyo

4th dan chuden menkyo

6th dan okuden menkyo

7th dan menkyo kaiden

Soke said earlier that there has also been sojutsu?

Bojutsu come originally from Tendo ryu naginatajutsu. Kukishin ryu bojutsu was much influenced by the Tendo ryu naginatajutsu and gave later birth to Hontai Yoshin ryu bojutsu.

Tankendo?

A tankendo is a kind of half-sword or wakizashi. It originates in army use. In the artillery, soldiers had rifles only exceptionally. They did, however, always carry a short sword. Also scouts used the same kind of weapons. Nowadays takendo matches are like kendo matches: the armor and rules are like those of kendo.

In the times of the last shogun samurai and ordinary citizens formed one army. The ordinary people had not practiced with a sword, which is why tankendo was taught. In the 10th year of Meiji (1877) some Japanese went to France to learn about their army. Some techniques were loaned from there, but adapted to the Japanese fighting style. The head instructor of Fuden ryu sojutsu, Tsuda Venzo (?) Sensei, was also a jukendo teacher and can be regarded as a developer of jukendo.

Many thanks to Soke for an interesting interview.

BOOK REVIEWS

Addendum to the Book Review:

"Shao-lin Chuan

- The Rhythm & Power of Tan-Tui"

by Simmone Kuo

Reviewed by Raymond Sosnowski, NH

[Reviewer's Note: the original book review appeared in the Journal of Japanese Sword Arts #85, 9(10), 19-21, Oct. 1997. Recent acquisition of new, relevant material has prompted me to write this addendum for that review.]

In the search for documentation on Shi-Lu T'an-T'ui, I have found two books and a videotape from a specialty catalog on Chinese Martial Arts (Wing Lam Enterprises, Inc, 1155 Reed Avenue, Suite #5, Sunnyvale, CA 94086). I have also come across another text for Shi-er-Lu (12 routine) T'an-T'ui. Since the Shi-er-Lu and Shi-Lu (10 routine) versions are related (as highlighted in the original review), it is reasonable to track both.

The Shi-er-Lu version of T'an-T'ui Ch'uan appears as a chapter with two other routines in Hsieh (1993). It is obviously not as detailed as Chan (1984), referenced above, who devotes his whole book to the Shi-er-Lu version, complete with applications. The first half appears identical between the two texts, while there appears to be a bit of variation in the second half (not surprising).

Shi-Lu T'an-T'ui appears as a chapter with three other routines in China Sports (1984) and as the bulk of the material in Ma (1983) along with material on the background and aspects of practice. [Note that all three texts mentioned here, China Sports (1984), Hsieh (1993) and Ma (1983), have figures annotated with motion arrows, and that all three mention a Moslem origin in some fashion, unlike Kuo (1996). (In the original review, I criticized the book for the lack of these two elements.)] Ma (1983) appears to be a definitive text on Shi-Lu T'an-T'ui, analogous to Chan (1984) for Shi-er-Lu T'an-T'ui, but better, in my opinion, because of the background material and highlights on the aspects of practice.

On the down side, Ma (1983) does not present applications, only Chan (1984) does for T'an-T'ui [however, there is a routine called Yongzhanquan in Pinyin or Yong Chan Ch'uan ("Boxing for the Brave"), one of the other chapters in China Sports (1984), containing elements of T'an-T'ui that also shows associated applications], and the accompanying photographs are a bit small and a bit grainy for my liking. Comparing Ma (1983) and China Sports (1984) to Kuo (1996), the first halves appear identical, while there appears to be a bit of variation in the second halves (again not surprising).

I have also viewed the Lam (1994) videotape "Tan Tuy" (yet another spelling). As in the texts, Lam (1994) does differ in some aspects from the two privately made tapes that I have. In the voice-over in Lam (1994), the narrator does acknowledge that variations exist, especially in the second half, but that these variations are probably due to "incomplete transmissions," implying that Sifu Lam has the "complete and true" transmission. I don't think so -- just as there are two versions of T'an-T'ui, Shi-Lu and Shi-er-Lu, there are legitimate variations based on lineage; after all, the Shaolin monks adopted T'an-T'ui from the Moslem community in Northern China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and modified it to fit their principles and practices. At best, we can say that Sifu Lam's version represents an orthodox Shaolin lineage of Shi-Lu T'an-T'ui.

References:

Chan, Kin Man, 1984. "Northern Shaolin Twelve Tantui Boxing Series," Chan Hong Heung Kung Fu Association, Kowloon, Hong Kong. 276 pp.

China Sports, 1984. "Wushu among Chinese Moslems, China Sports Series 2," China Sports Magazine, Beijing. 184 pp.

Hsieh, Douglas H. Y., 1993. "The Essence of the Northern Fists," Meadea Enterprises Co., Inc., Taipai. 142 pp.

Kuo, Simmone, 1996. "Shao-lin Chuan - The Rhythm & Power of Tan-Tui," North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. 150 pp.

Lam, Wing, 1994. "Tan Tuy (Springing Legs)," Shaolin Kung Fu Video VSL02. Five Star Production Co.

Ma, Zhenbang, 1983. "Ten Routine Spring Leg, 3rd ed., Chinese Kung Fu Series 6," Chinese-English (Ji, Shaoxing, trans.). Hai Feng Publishing Co., Hong Kong. 147 pp.

GUELPH SCHOOL OF JAPANESE SWORD ARTS July 17-20. Shiai, Koryu, Iai, Lectures For details check our website or call

GUELPH SPRING IAIDO SEMINAR May 16-19, Ide sensei 8dan Jodo and MSR Iai, Haruna sensei 7dan MJER Iai and Oshita sensei 7dan MJER Iai

FROM THE SEI DO KAI PRESS

Full Catalog is available online

IAIDO MANUALS

BBI-1 KIM'S BIG BOOK OF IAIDO (I):The Manual

8X11" 108 pgs. Kim Taylor:

BBI-2 KIM'S BBI (II): Seitei Gata

8x11" 100 pgs. Kim Taylor

BBI-3 KIM'S BBI (III): Omori Ryu

8x11" 94 pgs. Kim Taylor

BBI-4 KIM'S BBI (IV): Eishin Ryu

8x11" 127 pgs. Kim Taylor

BBI-5 KIM'S BBI (V): Oku Iai

8x11" 100 pgs. Kim Taylor

OTHER BOOKS

PH-1 SONGS OF THE SWORD

5X8" 100 pgs. by Kim Taylor

SD-1 RESISTING SEXUAL ASSAULT

8x11" 130 pgs. by Kim Taylor

SD-2 STUDENT GUIDE TO SELF DEFENCE

8x11" 150 pgs. by Kim Taylor

VIDEO TAPES

VHS/NTSC format only.

VID-1 SEITEI GATA IAI 1993

VID-2 SPRING SEMINAR/TACHI UCHI NO KURAI

VID-3 THE 1994 SENIOR CLASS, SEITEI GATA

VID-4 THE 1994 SENIOR CLASS, KORYU

VID-5 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1991, 1992

VID-6 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1993

VID-7 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1994

VID-8 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1995

VID-9 THE 1993 UG SUMMER IAIDO SEMINAR

VID-10 THE 1995 JOHN RAY SEMINAR AT UG - 1

VID-11 THE 1995 JOHN RAY SEMINAR AT UG - 2

VID-12 1994 SEMINAR WITH HARUNA SENSEI

VID-13 OMORI RYU AND SENIOR CLASS 1995

VID-14 1996 SEMINAR WITH HARUNA SENSEI

VID-15 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1996

VID-16 TACHI UCHI NO KURAI (includes material from VID-2)

VID-17 CKF YUDANSHA GRADINGS 1997

COMPANION VIDEO TAPES TO THE BBI MANUALS

VIDBBI-1 BEGINNING IAIDO I

VIDBBI-2 BEGINNING IAIDO II

VIDBBI-3 SEITEI GATA IAIDO

VIDBBI-4 MUSO JIKIDEN EISHIN RYU SEIZA NO BU

VIDBBI-5 MJER TATE HIZA NO BU

VIDBBI-6 MJER OKU IAI IWAZA

JJSA Journal of Japanese Sword Arts $36 Cdn in Canada,

$36 US in USA, $48 overseas.

JINX-1 IAI JINX WRITING CARDS

SEI DO KAI ORDER FORM

Please send me:

BBI-1. $30 __

BBI-2. $30 __

BBI-3. $30 __

BBI-4. $30 __

BBI-5. $30 __

BBI-SET. $120 __

JINX-1 $7 __

PH-1. $17 __

SD-1. $25 __

SD-2. $25 __

SD-SET. (1&2)$45 __

JJSA $36 __ Can/USA

$48 __ Overseas

VID-1. $25 __

VID-2. $25 __

VID-3. $25 __

VID-4. $25 __

VID-5. $25 __

VID-6. $25 __

VID-7. $25 __

VID-8. $25 __

VID-9. $25 __

VID-10. $25 __

VID-11. $25 __

VID-12. $25 __

VID-13. $25 __

VID-14. $25 __

VID-15. $25 __

VID-16. $25 __

VID-17. $25 __

Any 5 Vid tapes $100 __

VIDBBI-1. $25 __

VIDBBI-2. $25 __

VIDBBI-3. $25 __

VIDBBI-4. $25 __

VIDBBI-5. $25 __

VIDBBI-6. $25 __

6 Vidbbi tapes $150 __

TOTAL $_____

Address:

Prices include postage, Send order form to: Kim Taylor 44 Inkerman St. Guelph Ontario N1H 3C5. Payment in Canadian or US funds. Make checks or money orders payable to Kim Taylor or to Sei Do Kai Iaido.

For price quotes on weapons contact Kim Taylor at the above address,

tel 519-836-4357, or email kataylor@uoguelph.ca