Thank you very much for always supporting Let’s ask Seki Sensei and Asayama Ichiden Ryu.
Starting from April 2025, our online lessons will undergo significant changes.
The Tamagusari (Chain Ball) training will be added to the Special Weapons Class.

Also the Higher Dan Rank class, a class for trainees who have achieved the third dan or higher, will be available.

However, with these changes, it has been decided by Seki Sensei to remove the Special Weapons Class-only (Shunjo Class-only) tier.

Which means there will only be tiers for “iai (katana) Training & Special Weapons Training.” You can no longer take only the Special Weapons Class (Shunjō Class).

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to those who were signed up for this tier.

In this article, we will explain the reasoning behind the decision to remove the Special Weapons Class-only tier.

❶ The Basic Weapon of Asayama Ichiden Ryu is the Katana

Asayama Ichiden Ryu is a comprehensive martial art that includes various tools such as jōjutsu (staff), tamagusari (chain ball), and kamajutsu (sickle).

However, the fundamental tool at the core of all these practices is the “katana.”

The katana is a symbol of the samurai and was the most important weapon for the people of ancient Japan.

Therefore, those who practice Asayama Ichiden Ryu today must always begin by learning kenjutsu first.

After acquiring a certain level of skill in kenjutsu, students gradually learn iai, jōjutsu, kamajutsu, and other techniques from the sensei.

❷ Even if You Train Shunjō, You Must be Able to Handle the Katana

In our online lessons, we teach how to practice solo. 

But traditionally, the kata of Asayama Ichiden Ryu are meant to be performed with a partner, and it is only when practiced together that the kata is fully realized.

Practicing alone, from a traditional perspective, is merely a warm-up and does not constitute the true training.

For those studying Asayama Ichiden Ryu’s jōjutsu, it is essential to be able to flawlessly perform the movements of the role of the one who loses, using the katana within the kata.

In other words, Asayama Ichiden Ryu’s jōjutsu is practiced on the assumption that one has already learned kenjutsu.

By the way, the opportunity to practice jōjutsu with a partner is available during the annual training camp and additional seminars around that time, so anyone interested should definitely participate:

❸ We Didn’t Have the Experience, So We Made a Mistake

Reading this article so far, we’re sure you’re thinking, “Then why did you start the Shunjō-only membership tier in the first place?”

We deeply apologize for the situation, which is entirely due to our lack of experience and consideration.

When we first started the online Shunjō lessons, we had no prior experience with running online lessons and couldn’t imagine how the number of students would grow or what kind of system would be necessary.

Now, with more instructors of Asayama Ichiden Ryu, we have finally been able to organize the situation, and we’ve decided that we must remove the Special Weapons Class-only tier.

https://sekisensei.com/news/%e2%9a%94%ef%b8%8fmarch-7th-2025-new-kobudo-online-lessons-starting-soon

However, this does not mean that Shunjō practice will no longer be available, and since all Shunjō techniques are based on katana, there is no way to improve without practicing katana skills.

We understand if there are frustrations, but we kindly ask for your understanding and forgiveness regarding our mistakes, and we truly appreciate your respect for the culture of Kobudo.

We look forward to continuing to train with all of you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out at any time.