Yoshiteru (Raymond) Otani (1932?-2004)
Otani Sensei was my first
iaido teacher, and remains my inspiration for studying and teaching iai.
Mr. Otani came to the US in 1954, determined to start a new life after the
Pacific War decimated his native Osaka. He taught judo at the McBurney
YMCA in New York for many years. Eventually, he began teaching iaido as
well, founding a dojo in the 1960's, probably the first sword dojo on the East
Coast. Even as Otani Sensei taught traditional Muso Shinden Ryu
iaido, he created a series of solo and partner exercises based on his
experience with various styles of swordsmanship. He also emphasized to us
that iaido was not just striving for excellence in technique, but embodied the
principles set forth during the Edo Period for proper and ethical
behavior. Iai, therefore, is both a physical and mental
discipline. Practitioners seek to perfect their technique and develop
themselves spiritually as well.
Iaikai Dojo maintains a relationship with the Seiseikan Dojo in Tokyo, Honbu of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu iaido.
Kawabata Terutaka, retired
Soke (Headmaster) of the ryu, was a close friend of Otani Sensei. I was
first introduced to Kawabata Sensei in 1986. I have studied with him
during my visits to Japan, most intensely in 1992 when I lived in Tokyo.
Kawabata Sensei is a refined gentleman and master swordsman, whose expertise is
well-respected in the budo world.
Yahagi Kunikazu, current Soke of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu, assumed leadership of the ryuha in 2008. He is also a high-ranking kendo practitioner and teacher.
Left photo: Kawabata Terutaka (right) and Yahagi Kunikazu at a demonstration,
Right photo: Yahagi Kunikazu Soke at a seminar in Geneva, Switzerland, January 2009. Photo by Nicolae Bialokur.
I began studying iaido with
Otani Sensei in 1986. I received a fifth dan certificate from Otani
Sensei in Muso Shinden Ryu iaido in 2003, and I hold a third-dan ranking in
Ryushin Jigen Ryu from Kawabata Sensei, along with a menkyo entitling me to
teach what I know of the ryu. I also hold a third dan ranking in Tamiya
Ryu Iaijutsu from Tsumaki Seirin, late headmaster of the style, and I have
"sampled" various traditional weapon arts, including jodo (stick),
kyudo (archery) and naginata (glaive), along with the martial sport of kendo, and Western fencing (foil and sabre).
Peter Boylan holds yodan (4th degree) in jodo from the Kendo Federation and Shomokuroku, Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo, as well as dan-level degrees in iaido and judo. He studies in Osaka and Tokyo. He supervises our jodo practice, and teaches seminars in jodo and Shinto Hatakage Ryu iaido around the east coast of the U.S.
Peter Boylan (center) at the 2011 jodo seminar at Resobox.
