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.
Kawabata Terutaka and Yahagi
Kunikazu
Iaikai Dojo maintains a relationship with the Seiseikan Dojo in Tokyo, Honbu of Ryushin Jigen 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, the
current Soke of Ryushin Jigen Ryu, was Kawabata Sensei's daisempai (chief
student) when I began my study, and became Soke in 2008 upon Kawabata Sensei's
retirement. In addition to his excellent technique, Yahagi Sensei has an
international outlook and has conducted numerous seminars outside
Japan. He is constantly seeking to improve both his own and others'
understanding of iaido technique and principle in his teaching methods. In addition to iaido, Yahagi Soke is also a high-ranking kendo practitioner and teacher.
Yahagi Kunikazu Soke at a seminar in Geneva, Switzerland, January 2009. Photo by Nicolae Bialokur.
Deborah Klens-Bigman, Ph.D.
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).
