Annual Food Drive Tournament

In the spirit of the winter holiday season, the Arizona Budokan always participates in the Annual Food Drive Tournament hosted by Sensei Ted Rabino and his wife Sara. The kids get a chance to shine and we all get an opportunity to represent the Arizona Budokan in one of the biggest traditional martial arts tournaments in the Phoenix area. We always do well, and this year was no exception. Congratulations to everyone who trained hard and gave their best effort in a challenging environment. We're proud of you!

The AZB kids getting ready to rumble...


The very serious and mature AZB adults ponder the competition...


Karate and kobudo--kids

Aunchele Taylor


This was Aunchele's first time out as part of our AZB family and we were so proud of her! Nothing is more difficult than competing as a white belt and she did an incredible job.


With clean stances and focus, Aunchele performed some of the best kata in her huge division.
We can't wait to see what she'll do in her next tournament!


Allen Thomas
THIRD in kumite
THIRD in long weapons


Shihan coaches Allen and Aunchele before their kumite matches.


Allen was a little firecracker in his difficult kumite division and took a well-deserved third place!


Ricky Canas
SECOND in kata
SECOND in kumite
THIRD in long weapons


Ricky and Tristan were like twins, neck in neck throughout the competition and showing incredible sportsmanship and support for each other the entire day.


Both put on a strong performance, placed well, and made us proud!


Tristan Blick
FIRST in kata
FIRST in kumite
SECOND in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons



Tristan did a great job and gave us the focus and precision we've been looking for! The judges thought so too, and awarded him three first place medals and a second place. Way to go, Tristan!


Sarah Craver
THIRD in kata
FIRST in kumite
THIRD in long weapons
SECOND in short weapons


Tough and fearless as always, Sarah gave a strong performance in both kata and sparring.


Sarah's dojomates congratulate her after a tough battle for first place in
a kumite match that went into double overtime.



Shihan with his decorated and hardworking kids' team.


Sarah and Ricky smile between kumite matches.


Brianna Hutchinson
FIRST in kata
THIRD in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons


Brianna's intensity and focus beat out the black belts in her division.


As always, she represented the dojo well and served as an
incredible role model for the younger kids.


Karate and kobudo--adults

Milan Trifkovic
THIRD in kata
THIRD in kumite
FIRST in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons


Milan did a fantastic job in his first tournament. THOSE are the stances we want to see!


Rick Canas
SECOND in kata
SECOND in kumite
SECOND in long weapons
SECOND in short weapons


It was great to have Rick competing again--and stomping out an awesome nitambo kata. Watch out!


Dawn Croft
FIRST in kata
FIRST in kumite


Charged up from her trip to Japan, Sempai Dawn took first place
in both black belt kata and black belt kumite.




Congratulations again to all the competitors, and a big thank you to Shihan, Sensei Ed, and Sempai John for working so hard to prepare us. We are proud to represent the Arizona Budokan and are looking forward to our next chance to shine!

Japan Trip 2011 (Part III: Toyama-ryu)

One of the best things about Shihan's trip to Japan was the discovery of a wonderful group of Toyama-ryu Iaido practitioners led by Hanshi Takashi Ishikawa, a highly accomplished swordsman and president of the prestigious Zen Nihon Sogo Budo Renmei, a multi-art umbrella federation of over twenty martial arts groups.

Toyama-ryu Iaido is different from many other forms of Iaido in that it was developed specifically for practical combat by the Japanese Imperial Army. Though it has a lot of similarities to the Shinkendo practiced by Shihan for many years, it also complements and adds to our already strong Japanese sword program.

A Japanese soldier practices cutting techniques during WWII

Our first encounter with Toyama-ryu Iaido was actually in a town called Seki, which has been famous for its swordsmiths for nearly a thousand years. Every fall, the town holds the Seki Sword Festival to showcase the history, artisans, culture, and treasures of the region.

Swordsmiths demonstrating traditional forging practices at the Seki Sword Festival

In addition to swordmaking, the festival also features cutting demonstrations by experienced Iaido practitioners from all over the region. Though Ishikawa-sensei's direct students were not performing this year, we did see some rather stunning feats of tameshigiri from other Toyama-ryu practitioners.

Clips from the Seki Sword Festival cutting demonstration

Once we got to Kyoto, we were able to spend two full evenings training with Ishikawa-sensei under his top student, Terakawa-sensei. The members of the dojo were warm, friendly, and serious about their training. As the guest of honor, Shihan got plenty of personal instruction--and even got to do some free sparring with the other students.

Bowing in for sword class in Uji, Kyoto city

One of the fun and challenging warm-up exercises done at the Toyama-ryu dojo involved using logs to practice swinging. Much heavier than a bokken or iaito, the logs helped the sword students develop strength, speed, and control. Once they switched back to their bokken, of course, the wooden swords felt lighter and easier to maneuver.

Swinging heavy logs to develop strength and control

After practicing with logs and bokken, Terakawa-sensei worked closely with Shihan to go over the details of the Toyama-ryu basic kata sequences. He was a detailed, patient, and kind instructor--obviously loved and respected by his students. All of the kata were carefully filmed for later reference at the Arizona Budokan.

Practicing basic kata with Terakawa-sensei

Shihan had the most fun at the Toyama-ryu dojo doing free sparring with one of Terakawa-sensei's advanced students. This is a difficult and potentially dangerous exercise, but the students practice almost daily to ensure they can do it safely. Terakawa-sensei supervised the match while Ishikawa-sensei looked on from the sidelines with delight, watching his new American student confidently handle his weapon.

Shihan practicing bokken free sparring at Ishikawa-sensei's dojo

 
Ishikawa-sensei happily looks on during the match

Training with the friendly and dedicated sword practitioners at Ishikawa-sensei's Toyama-ryu dojo was a breath of fresh air. Ishikawa-sensei himself is a warm and generous man, and even stepped beyond Japanese custom to invite us to stay in his home for an evening. He also went out of his way to take us to a gorgeous temple and the famous Phoenix Pavilion in Uji, where they also make some of the finest green tea in the world. We are truly indebted to his generosity and kindness.

Ishikawa-sensei explains some of the inscriptions on his favorite temple in Uji

Shihan and Sempai Dawn at Byodoin, one of the most beautiful buildings in Kyoto

Ishikawa-sensei and Shihan at Byodoin

In addition to being a fantastic host, Ishikawa-sensei surprised Shihan by awarding him a fifth-degree black belt certificate and a request that the Arizona Budokan join him as the newest member of his Toyama-ryu Iaido organization. We are excited at this honor and dedicated to practicing and propagating Toyama-ryu sword techniques in our own dojo. If you haven't taken a sword class in awhile, this is a great time to get back into it!

A special thanks to Ishikawa-sensei and all of the instructors and students at his Uji dojo!