In August, iaido practitioners from Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia gathered in Kosice for a joint seminar organized by the local Hikari dojo together with its teacher, Patrik Demuynck Sensei from Belgium (Nanadan, Kyoshi).
Kosice welcomed us with beautiful summer weather, a warm atmosphere, and, above all, a great spirit that stayed with us throughout the entire weekend. Although the group was somewhat smaller due to the holiday season, this created a very friendly, focused, and personal training environment. Everyone had plenty of space for individual practice, questions, feedback, and working on the finer details.
Saturday was dedicated to ZNKR Seitei Iai. Together, we went through all 12 kata, paying particular attention to the latest technical updates and subtle changes. While these adjustments may seem minor at first glance, when properly incorporated, they can have a significant impact on the overall character and quality of each kata. Alongside the group practice, there was also plenty of time for individual work, allowing everyone to focus on specific technical details and areas they wanted to improve or strengthen. These moments often bring the greatest progress, when you can slow down, concentrate, and look for small improvements, step by step.
Sunday's training focused on enbu according to the different technical grades. The session included everyone from mukyu practitioners, gradually building their foundations, to experienced rokudan and nanadan candidates preparing for their upcoming examinations. We focused not only on the technical aspects, but also on the formal requirements of enbu and the details that are important when performing during examinations. The more experienced practitioners also had the opportunity to work on Tamiya Ryu, focusing on kata of their choice.
The two days of training passed incredibly quickly. Throughout the seminar, intensive practice naturally went hand in hand with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. In the dojo, we focused on every detail, outside the dojo, we enjoyed spending time together, sharing conversations, laughter, and the joy of meeting people who are walking the same path.
