https://www.kanoukandanville.com/, https://kanoukan.jimdofree.com/english/

Kanoukan Danville, Danville, IN (2026)

05/10/2026

Performing the techniques exactly as taught
Since my training in Musō Shinden Eishin-ryū Batto-hō was my first among the three schools, I was able to build a solid foundation in traditional martial arts under the guidance of Master Umemoto.
　Since this is not the Kendo Federation’s style of iaido, there is nothing to follow other than the teacher’s guidance. The demonstration is that of the school, and I placed great importance on whether I could perform the demonstration exactly as taught by the teacher, who embodies the school. It is not about expressing “myself”; there is no standard other than the teacher. What I needed to reflect on were the parts I could not perform as the teacher taught, and that was what I had to correct in practice. However, even though they were taught by the teacher, many people performed the demonstration as an expression of “themselves.” I found this puzzling—that they would try to express their “self” even while being taught by the master. In other words, they were not valuing the school; rather, they were using the school and the master to realize their “self.” Such people were not only found under Master Umemoto but also under Master Une. It is a strange phenomenon, though one should understand it if they consider what training truly is. It is those who train with an open mind who achieve true improvement.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「教えていただいた通りを演武する」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
Iai Heiho

04/26/2026

Regression
In my experience, for the first five years or so after starting training, if you skip a week of practice (unless you review on your own or practice to master what you’ve learned), you’ll regress by a month. In other words, everything you worked so hard to master over the past month will vanish. If you skip two weeks of practice, you won’t regress by two months—you’ll regress by four months. It’s a frightening reality, but it’s true. Unless you’re exceptionally oblivious, you’ll instinctively sense that something is off. People have a natural tendency to want to settle back into their old ways, which is why regression happens so easily.
　I believe it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I stopped feeling this regression, even after long breaks from practice, such as winter vacation. Since I am not particularly gifted, it took me a long time to reach the point where my skills no longer deteriorate even if I don’t practice. Beginners should keep this in mind as they practice. Even things you think you’ve worked hard to master may slip away. During periods when you cannot practice, it is crucial to review on your own.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「後退する」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
Iai Heiho

04/20/2026

Performing the demonstration exactly as taught
The reason people get nervous during a demonstration or do things differently is because they want to look good in front of others. I, however, had no thought other than to do exactly what my teacher had taught me. Since I was simply doing what I had been taught, the demonstration was no different from regular practice. I didn’t feel the need to impress others, so I didn’t get nervous. Since my teacher was watching, it was no different from practice. If I felt any tension at all, it was only regarding whether I could perform the demonstration exactly as my teacher had taught me.
　As I have already mentioned, one of my senior students was reprimanded by Master Umemoto after a demonstration, being told, “What you did was not iaido.” That person said, “But I performed exactly as the master taught me,” yet he was the type who was always thinking of something original and would even try to teach me his own ideas on how to improve. So, even though I hadn’t seen his demonstration, I could imagine what he had done. He was not following the master’s teachings—that is, the teachings of the school.
　Although Sensei was away from his seat during my demonstration, he told me, “I didn’t see it, but I know what kind of iaido Morimoto-kun performed.” I believe he said that because I always perform exactly as he taught me. Even though I only teach my students in the U.S. once a year, they understand this principle well and practice accordingly, so they show improvement after just one year.
If you try to make yourself look good or focus on performing flawlessly, you’ll end up producing nothing but poor results. Unless you change your mindset, nothing will change.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「教えられたとおりに演武する」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
Iai Heiho

04/20/2026

Determination
Training requires determination. While it’s understandable for beginners to take time to improve, once you reach an intermediate level or higher, if you receive instruction, you must show improvement by the next practice session. If you still can’t do it after two weeks or even a month, it means you lack determination. If you keep thinking, “I’ll get better someday,” you’ll never improve.
　Once, Sensei Umemoto instructed me not to move my buttocks. He demonstrated the movement beforehand, then descended from the dojo. (The dojo was on the second floor, and Sensei’s home was just a few dozen steps away on the first floor.) It was clear that I had to be able to do it by the time he came back up. I could sense that he had left the dojo with that expectation. Since I had seen the sensei’s movement, I understood what I needed to achieve. I realized I just needed to figure out why I couldn’t do it, so I experimented with my mindset and the movements of my fingers and elbows. My mind and body were working at full capacity, and shortly after the sensei went downstairs, I was able to do it. If I hadn’t been able to do it, I don’t think I would have received instruction on the next stage.
Sensei Une’s instruction began with checking whether I could do it during the next practice session after being taught, so I had to master it within a week. Sensei Oishi, of course, taught in the same way. He took it for granted that once he taught something, we would be able to do it.
I have seen people who, even after being taught important things, lacked the resolve to master them. In extreme cases, there were people who seemed to think such things were unnecessary for them. If you think you’ll master it someday, you absolutely will not. Only those with resolve continue to improve. The reason people training at overseas branches learn so quickly is because they have that resolve.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「覚悟」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
Iai Heiho

04/05/2026

It feels comfortable
People who have practiced competitive martial arts or sports in the past often find it difficult to break their old habits because it feels comfortable. In competitive martial arts and sports, movements are specialized to win matches in each specific discipline, resulting in strong, ingrained habits. On the other hand, the traditional martial arts practiced at Kan'ōkan require the elimination of such one-sided habits. Otherwise, it would be impossible to train in all three styles simultaneously. The three schools share so many commonalities that one could almost say they are the same. They all emphasize eliminating unnecessary strain and waste, resulting in a state of ease for both mind and body.
However, people with strong habits feel uneasy about this elusive state and find their original, ingrained habits more comfortable. Those who can let go are the ones who improve.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「居心地がよい」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
Iai Heiho

03/25/2026

Seishikan Case Register, Entry No. 13
May 28, 1865
1. A report has been received from Nakayama Osuke, Head Coachman, as follows:
　　　　　　　　　Recorded
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Naito Kizata Group
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Shinozaki Juubei
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Abe Shurei Group
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Haseo Kichitaro
　　　　The above-named individuals have all completed the full transmission of the Shinto Mukyo (as written; correctly: Kyō) school of swordsmanship on this occasion. That is all.
　　　　　　May 17
　　　　　　　　　Recorded
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Kyoto, within the residence of Lord Hiramatsu: My late master, Bitchū
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ken’go Edamatsu
　　　The aforementioned individual, from the 19th to the 25th of this month (a period of seven days), traveled by separate means to the residence of Yūnosuke Yokota
　　　in the town of Michi, where he completed the full transmission of the profound secrets of the sword art. We humbly request that this matter be appropriately acknowledged and approved.
　　　The above

　Here, the Shintō Mukyō-ryū, which I presented at the Chūgoku-Shikoku Branch of the Japan Society for Martial Arts Studies late last year, comes into view. Although it is not considered a school of the Fukuyama Domain, it has become clear that there were individuals within the Fukuyama Domain who practiced Shintō Mukyō-ryū. As noted in the presentation materials, Shintō Mukyō-ryū is a school of swordsmanship primarily practiced in Okayama and Kyoto.
　From the third year of the Bunkyu era onward, the volume of records decreases, and there are no entries regarding itinerant practitioners or the recruitment of instructors from other domains. However, since there are records describing the conduct of dan examinations within the domain and reprimands issued to those who did not practice, it is clear that martial arts were actively practiced.
This concludes the excerpts from the *Seishikan Ikkencho Sanban*.

道標が更新されました。
「誠之館一件帳参番　13」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
kenjutsu

03/25/2026

Seishikan Record Book, Entry No. 12
September 24, 1862
1. Swordsmanship practice was held all day; the demonstration began at 5:00 PM and concluded at 7:00 PM. Total number of attendees:
Over 150 people. Rations were distributed as usual.
However, a competition was held in the afternoon; one hand towel was awarded to the winner. The cost for this should be settled with the head of the household.

All-day swordsmanship practice was held. Since the names of the schools or instructors are not recorded, I believe this was a mixed-school practice session where participants wore protective gear. A contest was held in the afternoon, and a hand towel was awarded as a prize to the winner. At that time, aside from within a single school, matches between different schools generally did not have referees. However, since the Fukuyama Domain had been conducting mixed-school training from an early stage, there may have been figures serving as referees—though different from today’s system—and standards for scoring “ippon” across schools may have been established. If so, this would constitute a dan-rank system, making the Fukuyama Domain the first in Japan to advance the modernization of martial arts. Unfortunately, I have not found historical records regarding referees in Fukuyama, so this remains unclear.
　I suspect there were officials who kept a tally of points, and the winner was determined based on those records. As I have mentioned before, matches at that time were different from today’s; they served as substitutes for life-or-death duels, so once the opponents struck each other, that counted as the first point. Repeating this ten times constituted a ten-point match. The records not only noted which strikes landed but also documented each instance of a mutual strike or when both strikes were deemed invalid.

道標が更新されました。
「誠之館一件帳参番　12」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
kenjutsu

03/25/2026

Seishikan Account Book, Entry No. 11
June 25, 1862
1. As the person named below is skilled in spearmanship, I requested that he serve as an instructor. He visited yesterday, and I discussed with him the details of the request, asking him to
　　 conduct training at the instructor’s dojo and to accept the payment accordingly.
　　　　　However, as it grew dark yesterday, the payment will be made today.
　　　　　　　　1. Sake and food
　　　　　　　　　　　Estimated cost: 1 mon
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Higashima Antaro, retainer of the Ikeda Dewa family of the Bizen Domain
1. Regarding the accommodation of Higashima Antaro, retainer of the Ikeda Dewa family of the Bizen Domain, during his stay
1. As arrangements regarding the aforementioned individual’s stay have been reported as follows, we intend to make further arrangements in due course
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Tōma Antarō
1. On the day after arrival, 100 mon and food and drink were provided
1. Food and drink equivalent to 10 mon were provided for the July festival
　　　　However, on the third day, none were provided
1. The same as above on the day before departure.
　　　At Seishi-kan, I paid my respects and was given a gift of money.
　　　　However, the matter of the number of personnel will be discussed later.

Higashima Antaro, a disciple of Kato Zen’emon, has been summoned once again to the Fukuyama Domain. However, unlike Tanigawa Shingo and Kato Ichima, he is being called by his master rather than by the domain itself, so he is treated with lower status.
　However, shortly after entering July, Higashima Antaro contracted measles and, after being examined by a physician, was ordered to return to his home domain. Nevertheless, the domain provided him with a palanquin and three porters, as well as covering his travel expenses (lodging and meals) and even granting him a gratuity of 300 shaku. The Fukuyama Domain treated Higashima with exceptional generosity.
　Higashima Antaro returned to the Fukuyama Domain on October 3 and continued his instruction until October 28.

道標が更新されました。
「誠之館一件帳参番　11」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
kenjutsu

03/25/2026

Seishikan Case Register, Entry No. 10
May 21, 1862
1. As reported by Shinjiro, the coordinator, the following has been submitted to the General Council for approval:
　　　　　　　　　　Record
　　　　　　We, Kato Zen'emon, Tanigawa Shingo, and Kato Kazuma, have received full transmission of the Oshima-ryu spearmanship.
　　　　　　Shingo reported this to us, and we have completed the transmission today. We hereby report this matter.
　　　　　　　　　May 20　　　　　　　　　Saburi Yūzaemon
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Imafuku Shinjiro
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Saburi Chokuta

　Spearmanship instructors from the Fukuyama Domain have received full transmission of the Oshima-ryu style from the Yanagawa Domain.
Sawari Yuzaburo is a Sawari-ryu instructor, Imafuku Shinjiro is a Mubemu-kyoku-ryu instructor, and Sawari Chokuta is a Sawari-ryu instructor. Although the schools differ, it is clear that the Oshima-ryu spearmanship tournaments of the Yanagawa Domain had a significant influence on other domains.
Similarly, disciples of Oishi Susumu also traveled to other domains to provide instruction. Based on historical records, it is confirmed that the Oishi Shinkage-ryu was taught in the Choshu Domain, the Tosa Domain, the Ogi Domain, and the Takeo District of the Saga Domain. There may have been others as well.

道標が更新されました。
「誠之館一件帳参番　10」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
kenjutsu

03/25/2026

Seishikan Case Register, Entry No. 9
May 18, 1862
1. Regarding Shingo Tanigawa and Kazuma Kato, who are scheduled to return home around the 20th of this month, we have submitted the following summary of accounts from the previous year for your review. As we have received your approval, we intend to settle the final accounts with you shortly.
1. Silver: 30 pieces to Shingo
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　To Ichimagi: 20 pieces
The above is a gratuity.
　　　　　　　　　However, regarding miscellaneous expenses, these will be settled on the 21st of January.
　　　　　1. Expenses for the return journey: To Shingo and Ichimagi
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　15 ryō
　　　　　1. Flower mats: 20 sheets for Shingo
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 15 sheets for Ichima
　　　　　1. Tatami covers: 15 sheets for Shingo
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 10 sheets for Ichima
　　　　　　　　From the Attendant in Charge of the Above Matters
　　　　　1. Same as above　　　　　　　　To Shingo: 10 pieces
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 To Kazuma: 7 pieces
　　　　　　　　From the Inspector in Charge of the Above Matters

　The record then details the contents of a separate banquet. The ceremony described above took place on the 20th, and on the 23rd, Shingo Tanigawa and Kazuma Kato departed for Yanagawa. The amounts of the gratuities and travel expenses indicate that this was a grand reception organized by the entire domain. Additionally, they were presented with rush mats and tatami mats; rush grass has been cultivated in Fukuyama since the Nanbokucho period and is a local specialty of the region. This record marks the second time they provided instruction in the Fukuyama Domain. The first time, they arrived on June 27, Ansei 7 (1860), provided instruction in the Fukuyama Domain, and departed on November 27. The second time, they arrived on December 26, Bunkyu 1 (1861), and departed on May 23 of the following year, Bunkyu 2 (1862). On both occasions, he stayed for approximately five months to provide instruction.
Since Shingo Tanigawa was the second son of Yūsui Tanigawa—the older brother of Zeneemon Kato—and not the eldest son, he was subsequently recruited by the Okayama Domain on August 25, 1863, with a stipend of 150 koku, and was appointed as a spearmanship instructor outside the domain’s official ranks.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

道標が更新されました。
「誠之館一件帳参番　９」が掲載されています。
http://kanoukan.blog78.fc2.com/
kenjutsu

Kanoukan Danville

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