In July, members of Hikari dojo travelled to Graz, Austria, to attend an iaido seminar at the invitation of the leader of Kenshinkan dojo. The opportunity to participate in this seminar was already something special, as the teaching was led by two Japanese 7th dan holders, Nihei sensei and Sasamura sensei, who currently live and practise in Vienna. Both sensei impressed us not only with their technical level and deep knowledge of iaido, but also with their calm, open and friendly approach. Their extensive experience was clearly evident, while at the same time they showed a genuine interest in helping every participant improve and progress further. Their willingness to explain details, answer questions and dedicate time to individual practitioners created a truly special atmosphere throughout the whole seminar.
After an approximately seven-hour journey, it was a pleasant change to stretch our bodies during a short jodo training session on Friday evening, led by our friend Felix, who is also currently living in Austria. It was the perfect way to reconnect with budo after a long journey and prepare our minds for an intensive weekend full of training. The weather in Graz did not disappoint and showed its full summer strength. It was hot not only outside, but also inside the beautiful sports hall where the seminar took place. However, the heat was not the only challenge, the seminar was demanding not only physically, but especially because of the amount of new information and details that participants were able to take home.
Nihei sensei had attended the All Japan Iaido Seminar in June, and together with Sasamura sensei they were able to share the latest insights directly from the Japanese iaido community. They explained in detail the individual points of the ZNKR kata, their correct interpretation, and also highlighted small changes and areas of emphasis that ZNKR is currently focusing on. They also introduced us to some new developments that will most likely be introduced in iaido next year.
Since the number of participants was not large, the sensei had the opportunity to focus on each practitioner individually. Every morning session began with a lot of fundamental techniques, with great emphasis placed on the correct use of the back foot, posture, stability, timing and other details that form the foundation of quality iaido. It was very inspiring to see that these same principles, which are also important in our Hikari dojo, are emphasised by teachers at the highest level as well. On Saturday, Marián and Adriana had the exceptional opportunity to practise individually with Nihei sensei. He pointed out many subtle details that can significantly influence the overall quality of their practice, while also sharing valuable advice and his experience from many years of training.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed a pleasant change from the training hall. The idea of spending time together outside the dojo and experiencing Graz from a different perspective was a wonderful addition to the seminar. Together, we took the cable car up to Schlossberg, where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the entire city and its surroundings. After a short walk, we continued with an informal gathering in a restaurant, where we enjoyed excellent food, a refreshing cold beer and later even some ice cream. It was a wonderful moment when we could put aside our training focus for a while and simply enjoy time together with people connected by the same path of budo.
Sunday did not disappoint either, and it felt as if the weather was even warmer than the previous day. Despite the heat, the training continued in an excellent atmosphere. Even with the smaller number of participants, the sensei were very attentive, and it was clear that they sincerely appreciated the efforts of everyone who chose to spend their summer weekend practising iaido. The seminar concluded with enbu according to the individual grades. The sensei were extremely generous with their time and, even after the enbu, they made sure to give every participant personal feedback and recommendations for further improvement. This final gesture once again showed their great dedication to iaido and their desire to support everyone who has chosen this path.
We would like to thank Sasamura sensei and Nihei sensei for a wonderful seminar, the many valuable insights, and above all for the atmosphere they created during this hot summer weekend. A big thank you also goes to Andy from Kenshinkan dojo for the invitation and for organising one of the best iaido seminars of this year. It was a weekend full of high-quality training, inspiration, friendship and a reminder of why budo is a path that connects people far beyond the boundaries of the dojo itself.
