Iaido Taikai: Ireland Recognised for its Fighting Spirit at the Masamune Taikai

- From the Archives - 


Article originally published as, "O'Brien Recognised for his Fighting Spirit at Taikai", Irish Fighter, Issue 4, 2015

The Masamune Iaido Taikai is a regular event on the calendar of men and women practising the sword arts of feudal Japan. It is an opportunity to come together, to practice both modern and classical systems of swordsmanship, see old friends and make new ones. The Iadio Taikai is often attended by the highest ranking instructors from the UK and Japan; however, in honour of the organiser of the Masamune Taikai, Fay Goodman Sensei, ascending to the Presidency of the British Kendo Association, this year the Taikai received two very esteemed instructors and leaders in the world of Iaido - Oshita Masakazu Sensei 8th dan Kyoshi, and Morita Tadahiko Sensei 8th Dan Hanshi.

A Worldwide Crowd for the Masamune Dojo Iaido Taikai

With such remarkable men attending the seminar held over the 26th-28th of June, it attracted a worldwide crowd with participants coming from Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Lithuania and more.

And this year marked the first appearance of Ireland's Kenseikai Dojo at the event, with Batman O'Brien, and John Kennedy in attendance for the full 3-day event in picturesque Henley-in-Arden in the UK and dojo leader Nick Johnston and junior student Colman Reilly travelling over for the Saturday session.

It was quite the departure for the Kenseikai dojo, a koryu (old school) focused dojo as the BKA and the senior sensei spent a great deal of time on the modern Seitei Iai curriculum, used the world over for standardised testing and grading within the BKA, European Kendo Federation and of course the ZNKR (The All Japan Kendo Federation). Being a koryu dojo, the majority of the Kenseikai had little or no experience of Seitei, however under the patient instruction of Len Bean Sensei, 7th Dan Kyoshi, O'Brien was able to complete the entire Seitei Iai curriculum over the 2 days, while John Kennedy was able to complete three-quarters of the course.

Interestingly, there is a great deal of overlap within the Seitei forms to koryu, as many of the techniques taught are based on a mix of koryu schools; as such and given their koryu background, both O'Brien and Kennedy were successfully awarded nikyu (2nd kyu) ranks on the last day of the event and were formally accepted into the BKA.

The Masamune Taikai itself was remarkably well organised, with each participant receiving individual care and attention from the senior instructors, including the visiting Japanese masters. On the Sunday afternoon session, there was a special treat for the participants after their hard training. In an exercise organised by senior instructor John Honisz-Greens Sensei, a set of chairs was laid out in a row and the students queued in front of each, with about 10 people per queue. At each of these chairs one of the senior sensei, Oshita Sensei and Morita Sensei and their assistant instructors, like Fay Goodman Sensei, Peter West Sensei, Len Bean Sensei , John Honisz-Greens Sensei and others.

The student at the top of the queue would perform a technique of their choice and receive priceless direct instruction from an expert, and the others were invited to watch and learn. Then, after you had received the points to work on, you'd go to another queue for more guidance. In this way, everyone was able to receive one-on-one personal attention from the highest-ranking and most experienced swordsmen and women in the world. This was a unique opportunity.

Taking The Bronze

In addition, the third day held an element of surprise for the dynamic duo of O'Brien and Kennedy as they got to experience their first competitive Iaido Taikai event. Despite planning only to watch, O'Brien and Kennedy were invited to take part, with O'Brien going on to take the bronze in the mudansha class for Ireland. However, the best was yet to come, as O'Brien, was announced as a winner of the "Fighting Spirit Award" along with veteran BKA Iaidoka Eki Turner. O'Brien was in shock at receiving such an honour.

Of course, it wasn't all hard training, and in fact, there were great opportunities for getting to know everyone without a sword in their hand and the magnificent "Sayonara Party" organised by Goodman Sensei and the final evening reception on Sunday at her home.

The members of the Kenseikai Dojo would like to thank Fay Goodman Sensei for organising and extending an invitation to the Iaido Taikai. Everyone was so friendly and generous with their knowledge.

The Sensei's were amazing, and the students so open and welcoming to The Kenseikai Dojo, and many great new friends in Budo were made. The dojo greatly looks forward to next year's Taikai. :-)

You've been reading about my first Iaido Taikai. Check out more articles from the vault here. 

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