During the penultimate weekend of August, our dojo members Adriana and Marián participated in a remarkable iaido seminar held in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. The event stood out not only for its excellent organization and high technical standards, but also for the presence of esteemed teachers from Japan.
Traveling with the Japanese delegation led by Furuichi Sensei, we were honoured to welcome Suzuki Sensei, nanadan kyoshi and representative of the Tamiya ryu school, on his first-ever visit to Europe. His presence added immense value to the seminar and left a deep impression on everyone in attendance.
The seminar began on Friday with an intense two-hour session, during which participants worked through the first seven kata from Omote no maki, with a strong focus on movement precision and uniformity of form.
Saturday's training shifted to ZNKR iai, where the advanced group (godan-rokudan) trained under the watchful eyes of Nihei sensei and Kanto sensei. Nihei sensei, in particular, stood out for his highly precise and elegant execution. His tall stature combined with sharp technique created a striking visual contrast. His teaching style was characteristically Japanese—strict yet clear and methodical. For many of us, he was already a familiar face from the May seminar in Belgrade. Though now based in Vienna, his approach remains firmly rooted in traditional values.
That evening, all participants gathered for a communal dinner, which offered a welcome opportunity to reconnect with friends from different countries and share experiences in a relaxed setting. Seeing over 50 members of the global Tamiya ryu family come together from across the world was both heartwarming and a powerful reminder of the strength of our community.
On Sunday, the focus returned to koryu practice. Suzuki sensei demonstrated various kata with ease, grace, and precision, serving as a powerful source of inspiration for everyone present. The day began with selected forms from the Chuden series, during which our teacher Marián assisted Suzuki sensei. Later, training continued with kata from the Koran no maki series, bringing the technically rich and spiritually fulfilling seminar to a meaningful close.
This seminar was not only a technical learning experience but also a deeply inspiring one. It left participants with a profound sense of gratitude, motivation, and connection. We returned home with the feeling that we had been part of something truly special, a gathering where the passion for iaido transformed into precise training, lasting friendships, and a shared reverence for tradition.
