Thank you so much for joining the Asayama Ichiden Ryu online dojo! We are thrilled to welcome you as a member of Seki Sensei’s family. In this article, we’ll walk you through how each online lesson works and what you can expect.
❶ The Beginning Reihō (Etiquette)
Each lesson starts and ends with reihō (etiquette).
First, we bow to the dojo shrine to show our respect, and then to the space where we’ll be training.
We have a video that explains the purpose of reihō and the correct way to perform it.
Make sure to watch it before class so you can follow along smoothly.
🔴Why Katana Bowing is Necessary for Budo (But Why We DON’T Do it):
🔴Asayama Ichiden Ryu Reihō:
Reihō is what gives budo its true meaning, so it’s important to practice it carefully.
❷ Warm-up Exercises: Batto Kihon and Tsumemokuroku
Next, we move on to warm-up exercises: Batto Kihon and Tsumemokuroku. The Batto Kihon consists of seven basic draw-attack techniques, which we practice five times each. The Tsumemokuroku includes five basic draw-and-hold techniques, and we do each one once.
Seki Sensei demonstrates and explains each of these exercises in our videos.
🔴Battō Kihon:
🔴Tsumemokuroku:
Even though these are the foundation of everything we do, they can be challenging, so take your time and let’s practice them together with patience.
❸ Two Iai Kata from Batto Kihon Moving Versions, Muhi Ryu Basic Iai, and Shinkagé Ryu Hōgan Ha
After the warm-up, we dive into two iai kata.
One kata will be from the seven Batto Kihon moving versions or the eight Muhi Ryu iai kata. The other will come from the 17 Shinkagé Ryu Hōgan Ha standing iai kata.
The Batto Kihon moving versions teach us how to perform the basic techniques while walking.
🔴The Batto Kihon Moving Versions (Part 1):
🔴The Batto Kihon Moving Versions (Part 2):
Muhi Ryu is a style passed down along with Asayama Ichiden Ryu since the 19th headmaster’s time. While the original eight kata were seated, Seki Sensei created standing versions, so if sitting in seiza is difficult for you, don’t worry!
🔴Muhi Ryu Basic Iai Kata (Part 1):
🔴Muhi Ryu Basic Iai Kata (Part 2):
Lastly, the Shinkagé Ryu Hōgan Ha is a style that’s been passed down with Asayama Ichiden Ryu since the 21st headmaster.
Seki Sensei will first demonstrate and highlight the key points of the kata we’re practicing that day.
We recommend watching the videos we’ve prepared before class to better understand the kata.
During class, feel free to send a “Please check” in the chat if you’d like Seki Sensei to watch you perform a kata and give you feedback.
It may feel intimidating at first, but nothing helps you improve faster than receiving direct feedback from Sensei.
❹The Ending Reihō (Etiquette)
At the end of the lesson, we’ll perform reihō together again to close the class. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime.
We can’t wait to see you in class!
⭐️The Playlist of Videos from Let’s ask Seki Sensei We Wish All Our Online Lessons Members to Watch:
