Elite Martial Artists of the World Sharing the Shining Moments of Brilliance in the Historic Butokuden

The Second World Butoku Sai and 40th Japan National Butoku Sai were held in the historic Butokuden in Kyoto Japan last April 29-30, 2002. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Japan's most prestigious martial virtue society (circa 1895) celebrated the commemorative event with enormous enthusiasm attracting the finest élan of martial artists from all over Japan and the world. With the presence of imperial authority, the traditional ceremonial procession was conducted with dignity and reverence. The special occasion was collaborated with the Office of the Governor of Kyoto and the City of Kyoto. The entire three day event generated the high intensity of excellence and most dignified and profound presentations based on Koryu long-standing classical traditions. It was truly the history making effort for the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai to organize the event of this international magnitude and set a stage for the beginning of a new chapter of Budo legacy in the advent of a new centurion.

In the early morning of misty crisp air, the emblematic dedication of Budo demonstration was conducted in the Heian Shrine. The master Kendo practitioners, Tsujino Hanshi and Yoshimoto Hanshi executed the traditional Kendo Kata and Miura Hanshi demonstrated Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Kata while the official delegates from all international groups observed the solemn presentation. As assembled in the Butokuden, the traditional Harai no Gi was executed by Master Kitagawa, classical Kyudo exponent. The two long arrows he shot symbolized the essence of time and prayers both present and the future. Following the mystic Harai no Gi, Italian Iaido team demonstrated the skills with strong precision.

USA Honbu Karatedo, the largest delegation of the international division showed the tremendous strength and focus in the dynamic delivery of Karatedo and set a tone of determined will of the division. In the sequence of tight time efficiency, Canada Branch, USA Mid-West Branch, California Branch Israel Branch showed the powerful demonstrations of Karatedo with great intensity and collective spirit. UK Mid-Sussex, UK Myoshin Ryu, UK Tokushima, gave strong demonstrations in Jiujutsu, Judo, Iaido, Karatedo and Aikido. Russia, Malta, Hungary, Israel and Spain showed the high intensity and efficient Jiujutsu skills on the mats. Belgium Branch, Portugal Branch, France, Israel, UK and USA Branches showed the outstanding Aiki spirit and harmonious energy of Aikido. US, Belgium, and UK demonstrated solid Iaido skills in presence of great Iaido masters of all Japan. To close the international division demonstration, four representatives of DNBKID, Tallack Kyoshi of Canada, Kluger Kyoshi of Israel, Davenport Kyoshi of USA, Kapetanakis Kyoshi of USA executed powerful Karatedo Kata in harmonious strength showing the synchronicity of international solidarity.

In the Budo Center, Kendo matches were conducted with strong competitive intensity. Final Kendo matches were concluded in Butokuden where USA, Italy and Japan showed energetic demonstration of superb Kendo spirit. Japan, USA represented by Princeton Zenkendo, and Bushin Kan, as well as Italy shared the winning matches. In the midday of untiring and continuos intensity, all Japan DNBK Honbu members in Kobudo division demonstrated the spirited and powerful skills starting from Katori Shinto Ryu Iaido to various disciplines of classical Budo, including the major classical forms of Japanese Budo in Jiujutsu, Iaido, Battodo, Sojutsu, Bojutsu, Kyudo, Aikido, Judo, Karatedo, Kenpo, and various forms of Kobudojutsu. More than one hundred Ryuha Bodo schools executed their proud martial traditions until the ending of the official program.

At the conclusion of World Butoku Sai, Osame no Gi (the ending ceremony of restoring the spirit) was executed by spirit of Osame no Jo, classical Heiho Jojutsu Kata, Dometrich Hanshi's Chito Ryu Karatedo Kata, Kumai Kyoshi's Hoki Ryu Iaido Kata. Upon completion of all demonstrated skills, the historic event reached the official closure of embodying the good spirit of all participants. As in the tradition, Tsujino Hanshi called for a final Banzai, ten thousand years of good wishes to all and concluded the entire celebration signifying the full completion of the Second World Butoku Sai and 40th All Japan National Butoku Sai in 2002. International members of DNBK had 220 delegates from 15 nations. Total of 650 Black Belts, all Japan and international members comprised of 47 Hanshi, 78 Kyoshi, 125 Renshi, and 7 Kyudan, 40 Hachidan, 70 Shichidan, ranging in the 11 martial disciplines participated in Iaido, Kendo, Karatedo, Judo, Jiujutsu, Aikido, Jodo, Battodoh, Kyudo, Okinawan Kobudo, and Sojutsu.

According to Honbu, overall quality of performing classical skills showed superior standard befitted to the occasion, and furthermore the moral disciplines and courtesy shared by all participants were of the finest quality with dignified respect. The international teams had shown tremendous cooperation and support ensuring the event behooved to the Japan's most prestigious martial art festivity. The field of Iaido was represented by more than 30 Ryuha schools, including Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Muso Isshin Ryu, Muso Shinden Ryu, Omori Ryu, Muso Ittoh Ryu. Okinawa Konan Ryu, Goju Ryu, Shotokan, Chito Ryu, Chishin Ryu, Wado Ryu, Kushin Ryu, and Shorin Ryu represented the diverse disciplines of Karatedo. Yanagi Ryu, Shibukawa Ryu, Daito Ryu, Yagyu Shingan Ryu, Araki Ryu, Chishin Ryu and Myoshin Ryu represented the disciplines of Jiujutsu. Daito Ryu, Soshindo, Korin Kai, Chishin Ryu Heiho Aikido and Aikijiujutsu, Aiki Inyou Kai, Tenchi Aikido, and Shin Gi Tai Ryu represented the wide spectrum of Aikido field. The classical art of Jodo was demonstrated by Shindo Muso Ryu and Chishin Ryu Heiho.

International members were consisting of national representatives from Belgium led by Chalmagne Hanshi, Canada led by Tallack Kyoshi, France led by Dimayuga Kyoshi, Germany led by Bobinger, Hungary led by Sezepovogyi Renshi, Israel led by Kluger Kyoshi and David Kyoshi, Italy led by Kumai Kyoshi, Malta led by Bajada, Portugal led by Stobbaerts Hanshi, Russia led by Arabajiev Renshi, Spain led by Dabauza Kyoshi, Taiwan led by Lee Kyoshi, United Kingdom led by Bates Hanshi, Tattersall Hanshi, and Payne Renshi, USA led by Dometrich Hanshi, K. Shockey Kyoshi, J. Thomas, B. Edelman, R. Everhart, N. Kapetanakis Kyoshi.

As the tradition of DNBK ceremonial ending, the following awards of distinctions were bestowed by his Royal Highness on the bases of excellence in performances, dedication, service, promotion and development of classical martial arts in the world.

Kokusai Rensei Taikai (International Budo Cultivation Event):

After the rigorous and impressive World Butoku Sai, in the following day, the Rensei Taikai of International Division took place in the Butokuden with the presence of elite Hanshi Board members. It was intended the special opportunity for DNBKID members to be examined as witnessed by the Hanshi Board of DNBK Honbu. Honorable Adachi Hanshi, 81 years old Kendo champion presided the traditional procession. Miura Takeyuki Hanshi 81 years old master executed the Harai no Gi with his dynamic Iaido skills. Sherry Kimbre, Renshi of USA Mid-West had the honor of official pledge of Sensee decree. Four senior members of DNBKID Kyoshi, James Thomas, Ken Shockey, David Passmore, George VanHorn executed the solid Karatedo Kata signfying the solidarity of the international division. The Classical Aikijiujutsu Happo Yaburi was demonstrated for a special dedication by USA Honbu Aikido team. In the sequence of the program presentation. DNBKID members focused on the energetic demonstration of their prospective disciplines they formally train. Starting from Kendo, Iaido, Judo, Aikido, Jiujutsu, Okinawa Kobudo, and Karatedo. The entire delivery was done with great precision, efficiency, and force. Honbu Hanshi Board praised the great efforts assembled by the international division. Kubota Hanshi 80 years old master executed Osame no Gi with his Enshin Ryu Iaido skills and concluded the highly spirited and intense Rensei Taikai.

Awards bestowed in April 30, 2002 as a result of Rensei Taikai were as follows:
All participants received the very prestigious Commemorative Medallion created only for this special occasion by the national mint, bearing the DNBK seal and Sosai's Calligraphy, Wakon, spirit of Japan. In addition, all received the special fan bearing the Sosai' Calligraphy, Senshin Koshi, means beginning of relationship as cleansing our soul. Also, Men-Tenugui bearing Sosai's Calligraphy, Keikou, blessing of light. This has been truly unprecedented occasion where Honbu bestowed so many precious gifts and opportunities to the international participants.

Final Note:

In retrospect, the World Butoku Sai and the International Rensei Taikai gave every participant of all nations belonging to the proud DNBK legacy a very invaluable opportunity to rise in the historic occasion. It is our sincere hope that the members of DNBK felt the sense of deep pride and honor nurtured for centuries in the historic Butokuden and the long-standing legacy of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Thus, our hearty congratulations go to all those who gave their pure heart and spirit to the noble mission of DNBK. Without the tireless dedication and commitment to the missions of nobility given by the Honbu DNBK leaders and DNBKID representatives, fellow delegates, and assisting members, the optimal success of this event was not possible. So, we thank deeply for all the members of DNBKID who gave their ardent and selfless support in our lofty endeavor.

The special journey the international teams took together will strengthen their bond and hopefully remain as the source of unmovable commitment to the future missions of DNBK. It is in essence the bright beginning of the path of Butoku, martial virtues in the world. Without a doubt, they will keep the shining moments they attained together alive and strong for years to come. Each participant undoubtedly gave and received the unspoken and intangible inspiration. Time will tell what was the true relevance of these events for each individual trainee. We simply hope and pray that our determined volition as a trainee can continually see the revelation of inner soul like the light reflected in the ancient moss of the great trees standing very quietly near the Shorenin Temple.

With Gassho (Praying for Peace and Harmony)

Office of the International Division Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and Honbu DNBK

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