Amid the heat of a June weekend, the quiet dialogue of blades and focused minds once again echoed along the banks of the Danube. For two days, Budapest became the meeting point for three dojos, from Košice, Serbia, and the local Hungarian host, united by a shared passion for the way of the sword. Under the guidance of our sensei Marián, we delved deep into the traditional koryu kata of the Tamiya ryu school.
This seminar built upon our March training, which has become a solid pillar in our ongoing technical and mental development. Though we’ve been walking this path together for some time, each encounter reveals new layers of understanding and deepens our connection to tradition. We revisited the kata we explored in March, this time with more confidence and clarity and added new forms that truly challenged us. They acted as tests not only of precision and form, but also of focus, discipline, and inner strength.
Saturday culminated in an enbu, where each of us offered a quiet, respectful expression of our practice through kata. On Sunday, we dove into a special training session of the Chojo formwhose calm precision and eye for detail guided us through the subtleties of this elegant kata. It was during this session that we discovered a few unexpected"jumping masters"from Košice, who took to the air with spirit, grace, and determination.
Evenings, as always, were moments of connection. We gathered at our favorite restaurant, where swords were set aside, and laughter, stories, and camaraderie took center stage. After a day of intense training, sharing a meal felt like a well-earned reward. Though Budapest buzzed with energy, the streets alive with fans attending the Imagine Dragons concert, we carved out our own peaceful island of togetherness within the vibrant city. These moments reminded us that the way of the sword is not only about technique, but also about the bonds forged between those who walk the path together.
Two days of heat, sweat, and intense focus came to an end, but the inner fire remains. We returned home tired, yet fulfilled. Stronger. Calmer. More motivated. The way of the sword doesn’t end, it simply continues into its next chapter. And that chapter will be written this coming September in Košice. Together we grow. Together we move forward.
