Sensei Takada Gakudo talks about iaido

Enbu in Joensuu, Finland
2011.6.17.

Musô Shinden Ryû 20th Sei Seiden

Takada Gakudô Sensei
Musô Shinden Ryû 20^th Sei Seiden

Takada Gakudô[1]–sensei (iaidô hanshi 10 dan) is the head of the Yûshingijuku Takada Dôjô and the  20th headmaster of our Musô Shinden ryû[2] Gotô-ha[3] -line. He came to Europe for the first time in 1986 to teach at an iaidô seminar in Uppsala, Sweden, and has since then been teaching annually at Musô Shinden ryû seminars in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Takada Shigeru was born on June 19th, 1939, in Yokohama, where he still lives with his family. In budô circles he is known by the name Gakudo. His father's name was Takada Noriyuki[4], and he has five older siblings: four brothers and one sister. Takada-sensei went to school first at the Nishimae primary school[5] and then at the Nishi middle school[6] completing his studies  at a business school[7] and university[8].  After this he was employed by a private company[9]  in Yokohama until his retirement in 1992.

Takada-sensei's budô career will be discussed later in this article. Takada-sensei balances his budô activities with a wide range of other interests:

·         calligraphy (shodô)[10], tea ceremony (sadô - Higashi Abe ryû senchadô)[11],  traditional Japanese singing (shigin - Nihon kokufû ryû)[12],  shôgi[13]-game (nidan  amateur rank). Takada-sensei has played shôgi for twenty years from the age of 20. Gô[14]-game (sandan  amateur rank). Sensei started to play gô at the age of  40, and still plays from time to time.

Takada-sensei thinks there are both physical and spiritual aspects to iaidô, and cultural/mental activities help one's spiritual being grow. "If you concentrate on the physical side only, stillness remains foreign to you". To be able to grow as an iaidôka, one must seek balance. Sensei is a member in e.g. the Nihon Shôgi Renmei and the Nihon Igô Renmei.

Takada-sensei's Family

Mrs. Takada, Rumi[15]-sensei, too, is very well versed in iaidô. She is at the moment iaidô hanshi 8 dan, Keishichô ryû[16] iaidô 5 dan and jôdô[17] 4 dan. She gives piano lessons and plays contrabass every now and then (when she was younger, she used to play this instrument in the string section of an orchestra). Like Takada-sensei, she sings, but instead of shigin she specializes in buddhist goeika[18]‑ ja shunkyôka[19]‑hymns. She does also ikebana (koryû)[20].


Takada- and Rumi-sensei's son Shigenori[21] is iaidô renshi 7 dan, Keishichô ryû iaidô 3 dan and jôdô 4 dan. His professional name in the world of budô is Tokudô[22], and in "civilian" life he works for a Japanese company operating in the communications sector. Tokudô-sensei is married to Katja (iaidô 1 dan), who began practicing iaidô in Helsinki. Their son Isami[23] was born in 2010. Daughter Megumi[24] (iaidô 1 dan) is not active in iaidô at the moment. She works in the health care sector. Her husband's name is Yamada Yukio[25].

Takada-sensei's Early Budô Years

Takada-sensei came into contact with iaidô in 1954 at the Dai Nippon Teikoku Shinkenkan Matsuo Kenpu Dôjô , which he had joined in the previous year.  In the beginning he just wanted to improve his kendô. Matsuo Kenpu-sensei put a sword in his hands and that was that: Takada-sensei has been on the  iaidô path ever since.

At the outset he was training three times per week, but later there came a time when he had time to train just once a week. At first they concentrated on the basics, which were taught through kata, in addition to which Sensei trained with a 4-kilo tanrenbô[26]. He was using a shinken from the very beginning, but as a beginner he did not do tameshigiri ("not enough skill" says Takada-sensei).

Sensei says his skills increased steadily, without any dramatic leaps. He paraphrases Lao Tzu: "a thousand mile journey is made one step at a time[27]".  One never reaches the end of the road, there is always a new stretch ahead.

Sensei does not remember any one thing that he found difficult in the beginning. Rather, there are challenges everywhere, if one takes training seriously   ̶ especially,  when life's urgencies leave little time for training. Iaidô is an art that affects both one's mind and body and is therefore ideal for physical and mental training. Practicing with a Nihon-tô[28], a Japanese sword made ceremonially by a traditional swordsmith, serves as a bridge to the traditional bujutsu culture.

A Summary of Takada-sensei's Budô Career

•           iaidô 4 dan, 1959
•           iaidô 5 dan, 1960
•           iaidô 6 dan, 1962
•           iaidô renshi, 1962
•           iaidô 7 dan
•           iaidô kyôshi, 1975
•           iaidô 8 dan, 1986
•           iaidô hanshi, 1996
•           iaidô 9 dan, 2001
•           iaidô10 dan,  2004

•          Musô Shinden Ryû iai 8 dan menkyo kaiden, 1975

Takada-sensei's Budô Arts

As a member of the Matsuo Dôjô Takada-sensei was expected to study even other budô arts in the manner of his sensei. Thus he is familiar with the following arts, all of which he studied at Matsuo Kenpu-sensei's Shinkenkan Dôjô.

•     Kendô  (kyôshi 7 dan, ZNKR)
•     Jûkendô (kyôshi 6 dan, ZNJR)
•     Tankendô (5 dan, ZNJR)
•     Ono-ha Hôki ryû iai (menkyo kaiden, 2nd sôke)
•     Mugai ryû iai (menkyo kaiden)
•     Keishichô ryû iaidô (seishihan)
•     Hôzoin ryû sôjutsu (kyôshi 8 dan)
•     Shindô Musô ryû jôdô (kyôshi 7 dan)
•     Yagyû ryû tessenjutsu (kyôshi 6 dan)
•     Yagyû ryû kusarigamajutsu (kyôshi 6 dan)
•     Araki ryû nagamakijutsu (kyôshi 7 dan)
•     Araki ryû chikirigijutsu
•     Araki ryû iai
•     Kuroda ryû shurikenjutsu
•     Aikidô
•     Jujutsu

Due to lack of time Takada-sensei focuses now solely on iaidô and jôdô.

Takada-sensei's Own Dôjô
  

Takada-sensei founded his own dôjô in 1974 because he wanted to  implement his own ideas about budô. The dôjô was at first called Taigijuku Takada Dôjô[29], but Sensei later renamed it Yûshingijuku Takada Dôjô[30], because he wanted to incorporate the names of Nakayama Hakudo-sensei's Yûshinkan[31] and Matsuo Kenpu-sensei's Shinkenkan[32] dôjô in the honor of his teacher and his teacher's teacher.

Present Day

Takada-sensei is now retired from the business world and concentrates on his responsibilities in the world of budô. He is kept very busy, for he is at the moment:

•       President of Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai[33]
•     Musô Shinden Ryû Gotô-ha 20. sei seiden
•     Yushingijuku Takada Dôjô juku-chô
•     Dai Nippon Teigoku Shinkenkan Matsuo Kenpu Dôjô shihan-dai
•     Ono-ha Hôki Ryû iaihyôhô sei seiden.

In addition to these responsibilities he teaches iaidô and jôdô at his dôjôs located in the Yokohama area:

•     Oppama Junior High School (Oppama, Yokosuka)
•       Nakada Junior High School (Totsuka, Yokohama)
•       Kanazawa Chikusentaa (Kanazawahakkei, Yokohama) (though at the time of the interview the Chiku Center was being  renovated and no lessons were given there).

The curriculum consists of Musô Shinden Ryû iaidô and Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai Tôhô lessons given to all students. In addition, Sensei teaches Musô Shinden Ryûn ryûgi style and other iai styles (Keishichô Ryû, Mugai Ryû ja Hôki Ryû) to his more advanced students. Besides iai, Sensei gives lessons even in Shindô Musô Ryû jôdô.

Sensei visits annually Musô Shinden Ryû organizations abroad: in Sweden, Finland and Estonia. In the future these visits will be extended even to Southern Europe, as there is a new Musô Shinden Ryû Gotô-ha club in Bulgaria's capital Sofia.

Takada-sensei's dôjô participates annually in various iaidô demonstrations in Japan, e.g. in the Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai Taikai at the Iseyama Kôtai temple in Yokohama and demonstrations at Tsurugaoga Hanchimangû shrine in Kamakura and Setô shrine in Kanazawahakkei, Yokohama.

Sensei's Answers to Miscellaneous Questions about Iaidô

1.     When Nakayama Hakudô -sensei created our style, Ômori Ryû and Hasegawa Eishin Ryû were taught as independent iai schools. His students later incorporated them under the names "Shoden" and "Chûden" into our style, which was at first known as Musô Shinden Eishin Ryû[34] (among other names). The style was given the name Musô Shinden Ryû at about Showa 40 = v. 1965) after Nakayama-sensei died.

2.      Characteristics of a Good Iaidô Teacher:

-          skilled

-          correct basics 

-          fluent, big movements

-          brisk nukitsuke and kirioroshi

-          able to do fast technique

-          a person of understanding, even in matters outside the world of the sword.

3.     Grading tests are used to check the technical and spiritual development of the student. A dan grade measures one's iai skill, a mokuroku is a reflection of how the individual has assimilated the essence of the school.

Takada-sensei's Thoughts about Iaidô

Iaidô can be said to be zen with a sword in your belt. It is a path of continuous study, where techniques are used to train both the body and the mind. The objective is to realize a better world in accordance with divine commandments. A spiritual path is sought through the medium of iai forms, which is why it is important that the forms one is taught are practiced faithfully. One must be loyal to the teaching one is given and genuinely strive to assimilate it.

Practitioners of iaidô have varied personal motives for training. For an enduring effort on this path one needs passion, conviction, patience and self-control. Training may be painful at times, but one must be patient and conquer oneself[35]. Then there is nothing one cannot achieve.

The following applies not only to iai, but to life in general. The most important thing is to conquer oneself. When one learns this, one can achieve anything. Takada-sensei learnt this very early, because Matsuo Kenpu-sensei used to quote Takeda Shingen[36] (1521-1573): "If one is truly willing to do something, one is always successful in it. If one tries and does not succeed, it is because one was  not really fully committed from the outset."[37]  This is something everyone should ponder upon  ̶  especially us students of iaidô, because this is a road of solitary struggle.

Yokohama 2010-01-30 (The news about Takada-sensei's grandson's birth were added later)

Text based on an interview: Leena Mäkinen with the help of Katja Takada

Translations to and from Japanese: Hiromi Umehara-Sorsa and Laeticia Söderman


The article was first published in Hansha, Nro:20/2010

---

[1] Takada Gakudô
高田學道先生

[2] Musô Shinden Ryû
夢想神伝流

[3] Gotô-ha
後藤派

[4] Takada Noriyuki
高田則行

[5] Nishimae shôgakkô
西前小学校

[6] Nishi chû-gakkô
西中学校

[7] Dai-ichi shôgyo kôtô gakkô
第一商業高等学校

[8] Nihon daigaku
日本大學

[9] Mitsubishi
三菱

[10] shodô
書道

[11] sadô - Higash Abe ryû senchadô
茶道(東阿部流　煎茶道)

[12] shigin - Nihon kokufû ryû
詩吟 (日本国風流　師範)

[13] shôgi
将棋

[14] igô
囲碁

[15] Takada Rumi
高田ルミ先生

[16] Keishichô Ryû Iaidô
警視庁流居合道

[17] jôdô
杖道

[18] goeika
御詠歌

[19] shunkyôka
宗教歌

[20] kadô (koryû)
花道 (古流)

[21] Takada Shigenori
高田茂徳

[22] Takada Tokudô
高田徳道　

[23] Isami
勇望

[24] Megumi
めぐみ

[25] Yamada Yukio
山田幸夫

[26] tanrenbô
それに鍛錬棒

[27]senri no michi mo hitoashi zutsu
千里の道も一足ずつ

[28] Nihon-tô
日本刀

[29] Taigijuku Takada Dôjô
大義塾高田道場

[30] Yûshingijuku Takada Dôjô
有心義塾高田道場

[31] Yûshjinkan
有信館

[32] Shinkenkan
心剣館

[33] Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai
日本居合道協会

[34] Musô Shinden Eishin Ryû
夢想神傳英信

[35] kokkishin
克己心

[36] Takeda Shingen
武田信玄

[37] naseba naru nasaneba naranu nanigoto mo  

    naranu wa hito no nasanu narikeri
「為せばなる、為さねばならぬ何事も、
ならぬは己が為さぬなりけり」

                                                                                      

Martin from Uppsala, Sweden

1) What is your name?
-"Martin."

2) How old are you?
-"43 years old."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Swedish."

4) Why did you come to Japan?
-"To practice with Takada Sensei and to take part in the enbu at Seto jinja."

5) When did you start iaidô and why?
-"I started in September 1984. I first met Sensei in May 1986.
All my friends at school got interested in Japanese culture, mainly budo. Most of them started with karatedo, some with aikido and some with zazen. Since I was a little boy I have been interested in swords, so I was very happy when I heard from a friend that there was also a iaido club in the same dojo where he did aikido. So I started iaido. Now, almost 26 years later, all my friends have long since stopped their budo practice, I’m the only one still practicing."

6) Have you ever participated in iai demonstration in Japan? What was it like? How about in your own country?
-"Yes, this was the third time I participated in iai demonstration in Japan. I feel very honored to be able to participate and to see such great iaido (and other budo) performers. I have participated in many demonstrations in Sweden and other countries outside Japan."

7) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Europe?
-"We don’t have Takada Sensei in Europe, other than in camps, once or twice a year. So we have to remember what Sensei has told and shown us and try to do as good as possible. When I teach I try to teach the same things and the same way as Sensei teaches me. That’s my aim even if I’m not always successful."

8) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"It’s the best iaido I have ever seen, very powerful, but still flowing, and with lots of spirit/heart (kokoro)."

9) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"Sensei is a great teacher. He has a lot of patience with students that haven’t yet practiced for long. At some camps I am still surprised seeing the kind of patience Sensei shows towards students. With older students Sensei expects more, but I think that it's good to set yourself a goal: try to fill Sensei’s expectations until next time you meet him. I’m very grateful for having met Sensei in 1986 and being able to practice with him since."

10) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"If you can think of putting some effort into your practice, starting iaido can be the best thing you have ever done. You'll learn a lot of other things outside of iaido, like Japanese history and culture. And you'll also meet a lot of very nice people from other countries."

Mikko from Jyvaskyla, Finland

1) What is your name?
-"Mikko."

2) How old are you?
-"35."

3) Why did you come to Japan?
-"I came to Japan, because I wanted to broaden my understanding of Iaidô and to experience Iai in its home country. A big part of the trip was to participate in the Seto Jinja enbu."

4) When did you start iaidô and why?
-"I started Iaido in September 1998. The main reason was that I have been interested in martial arts since I was very young. I've tried different Budô while I was trying to find one that suits me best. After a long pause I moved to Jyväskylä and was introduced to Iaidô by a friend, I hadn't even heard about Iaidô before. I have been training since."

5) Have you ever participated in iai demonstration in Japan? What was it like? How about in your own country?
-"This was my first trip to Japan and luckily I had the opportunity to participate on the Seto Jinja enbu. It was more than I could have ever dreamed of. I have wanted to see different Ryûha for some time and I was pleased to hear from Sensei that there would be much to see. Being the first time I didn’t know what to expect and coming from a different culture everything was new. In the end everything went smoothly. I own a big thank you for all of the local Iaidoka who helped us during our stay. I have participated in few enbu's in my home country, but there is no comparison."

6) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Europe?
-"Yes, there is a big difference in the atmosphere. The regular training is more or less the same compared to the camps in Scandinavia, but the special trainings were different, more intense and very demanding."

7) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"First thing that comes to mind is that it's very easy to follow a strong example. Sensei is very strict in training and the goal he sets is very high. Sensei makes Iaidô look effortless while being dynamic and precise."

8) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"Sensei is very demanding, but at the same time he encourages to learn. His profound knowledge and experience of Budô reflects in his teaching and sometimes Sensei shows a little bit extra. Those occasions really make one wonder how much there is to learn from him."

9) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"I recommend trying, Iaidô can contribute to whatever one might pursue in life."

Vesa V. from Helsinki, Finland

1) What is your name?
-"Vesa."

2) How old are you?
-"Next February I’ll turn 44."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Finnish."

4) Why did you come to Japan?
-"For a holiday, and to fulfil my yearlong dream of participating in Kamakura Hachimangu Enbu."

5) When did you start iaidô and why?
-"In 1992, as a counterweight to my training of American football. All that weight lifting and running started to feel mentally hard, and I asked a friend if there was some kind of budo that trains mental things as well as physical. Also, for professional reasons, I thought training budo would help me learn about Japan and Japanese mentality. This has helped me considerably in various stages of my career."

6) Have you ever participated in iai demonstration in Japan? What was it like? How about in your own country?
-"Now I have been in both Kamakura and Seto-Jinja enbu in Kanazawahakkei, the latter was in 2007. In Finland I have performed during Sensei’s seminar, one celebration demonstration of my budo club, Hikari, and one held at a Japan related exhibition in Helsinki. Also, I have performed in several demonstrations held as introduction at the beginning of a new beginners’ class.

Performing at an exhibition in Finland feels different from Japan. In Finland people come to see exhibitions out of curiosity, and just watch to see what happens. In Japan at least some spectators have some idea about what is happening and whether the performance goes well or not. In Finland it feels like a circus, while in Japan it feels more like a football game. In Finland the public also asks more questions about Japan, swords and budo in general, and the exhibition serves as a performance of Japan as well as just the sword art."

7) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Europe?
-"In Europe, especially at dan level, there is a lot more discussion among students and with the teacher. In Japan, it is Takada Sensei (notice, in Japanese this is also a plural form ^^) who says how things are done, and there is no room for hesitation. Most likely this is because in Europe the teachers are also students, and sometimes the interpretation of Sensei’s latest teachings vary. As a traditional Finnish joke goes: “How many dan-level iaidokas are needed to change a light bulb? – Everyone. The highest-ranking stands on a stool with the new bulb in his hand, and the others stand round him and argue about how Sensei changed the bulb at the last seminar.” "

8) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"At first, it seemed difficult to follow, but over the years I think I have gained more insight. Also, his style forces the student to work hard, which in the long run rewards those who keep struggling. There are no short cuts to anything worth learning, stated someone wise in Greece a long time ago."

9) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"Strict and demanding, but sometimes surprisingly lenient as long as you keep trying your best and slightly more."

10) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"Beware. It is a long road, and you will easily find yourself hooked. But as you climb the mountain, you will notice how the view grows at every step. (Reaching the mountain, however, may take years of seemingly boring repetition.)"

To quote JRR Tolkien:
“The Road goes ever on and on/
down from the door where it began/
Now far ahead the road has gone/
and I must follow it if I can/
Pursuing it with weary feet”

Yokohama, Japan 2010/1/29

Vesa from Helsinki, Finland

1) What is your name?
-"Vesa."

2) How old are you?
-"43."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Finnish."

4) Why did you come to Japan?
-"To participate in iaidô training at Takada-sensei´s dôjô."

5) When did you start iaidô and why?
-"January 1994. I felt something was missing in my life."

6) Have you ever participated in iai demonstration in Japan? What was it like? How about in Finland?
-"Not in Japan but in Finland many times. It is always very exciting."

7) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Europe?
-"In Finland we train the same way as in Takada Sensei's dôjô. Naturally it is much better to train in Japan with Takada Sensei."

8) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"I think Takada Sensei's style is very powerful and elegant."

9) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"He is very strict teacher with enormous knowledge of budô."

10) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"You should be serious about training from the beginning. This way you learn things and make progress."

Yokohama, Japan 2009/10/10

Marko from Helsinki, Finland

1) What is your name?
-"Marko."

2) How old are you?
-"32."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Finnish."

4) Why did you come to Japan?
-"This time it was a combination of a holiday and training sessions with Takada-Sensei."

5) When did you start iaidô and why?
-"I started iaidô in 1997 when Musô Shinden ryû practice started at Tampere. I had been interested in iaidô already for few years, but as the closest dôjô was few hundred kilometers away I couldn't start practicing earlier."

6) Have you ever participated in iai demonstration in Japan? What was it like? How about in Finland?
-"Yes, we were at Hachimangu enbu this January and I've also participated in many domestic enbus. I think the biggest difference is that in Finland you not only participate in the enbu, but also have to arrange it while in Japan everything is pre-arranged and you simply show up and do your part. Another difference is size; at least Hachimangu enbu was huge compared to Finnish ones. Added benefit in Japanese enbus is that you get to see many different styles of iai when in Finland you already know all participants and their iai."

7) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Europe?
-"Yes there is. I think you Japanese iaidokas are lucky as you have Takada-Sensei with you in every practice sessions whereas we practice together and try to recall Sensei's teachings from his seminars. There simply is no substitute for the real source."

8) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"I like Takada-Sensei's style a lot. Compared to many other teachers, his iai is very powerful and alive, it is very real. I also like his traditional teaching style; I only wish my Japanese would be better so I could get more out of it."

9) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"Takada-Sensei leads by example, which I think is great. You are not offered any shortcuts but he simply shows you what you should do and then you have to understand yourself what exactly he is showing and "steal" it from him. Sure, there can be faster ways to learn, but in my opinion this is the only way that guarantees that you truly learn and understand your iai as you have to work hard for it."

10) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"A good friend of mine always says that you have to have more pressing reasons for not to do something than to do it. I agree with this so I would urge everybody who thinks about starting to go ahead and give it a try. Iaidô might not be for everybody's taste, but everybody can try it out and make their minds based on their own experience."

Yokohama, Japan 2009/10/10

Akihiro - the youngest student in Takada Dôjô

1) What is your name?
-"Akihiro."

2) How old are you?
-"11 years old."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Japanese."

4) When did you start iaidô?
-"In 2005."

5) What made you start?
-"My grandfather suggested it to me."

6) Have you participated in iai demonstration? What was it like?
-"Yes, I have. I've been happy with my performances, because even if I felt nervous I could do the things I'd been practicing."

7) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"It's great! Besides kata I can also learn about manners, traditions and so on from Takada Gakudô Sensei."

8) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"He is very interesting because he doesn't teach just iaidô, but also many other things, like for example about life and finding the right spirit. He always emphasizes the importance of combining budô and education/studying (lifelong learning)."

9) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"You should really try it! Iaidô helps you to improve your inner strength, concentration, shisei and composure. I recommend iaidô to other elementary school students too."

Yokohama, Japan 2009/7/5

Marcus from Uppsala, Sweden

1) What is your name?
-"Marcus."

2) How old are you?
-"23 years old."

3) What is your nationality?
-"Swedish."

4) How many times have you been to Japan?
-"This is my second time. My first trip was in 2006."

5) Why did you come to Japan?
-"The main reason was obviously to practice iaidô at Takada Gakudô Sensei's dôjô, but I came here also to do some sightseeing and meet friends. But if I hadn't begun practicing iaidô I don't think I would have been so interested in coming here."

6) When did you start iaidô?
-"In February 2005."

7) What made you start?
-"Actually I thought I would begin practicing kendo. I went to an open house event held in a martial arts practice center (in Uppsala, Sweden) where many different martial art clubs demonstrated their techniques and shared information. That was the first time I saw or heard about iaidô; so instead of kendô I decided to try it and thought it was great therefore I stayed."

8) Have you participated in iai demonstration? What was it like?
"In 2006 I attended the 5th anniversary celebration of Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai which was held here in Japan. It was of course very interesting to see Takada Gakudô Sensei but also because of the other members of different dôjôs and iai schools besides our Musô Shinden Ryû. We don't have the chance to see those in Sweden."

9) Is there a difference between training in Japan and in Sweden?
- "Yes, but mostly the differences are quite small, actually, as well as some of the "manner" aspects are done differently. For example, in the beginning of each iaidô practice we do battô-kiritsuki and then shoden just like here, but after that those who haven't yet practiced tôhô have free training while others do tôhô, it is the same with chuden and okuden. Also we don't do jôdô after iaidô practice; we have a separate training time for it, although sometimes we do kumigata at the end of iaidô practice. But other than that it is mostly the same."

10) What do you think about Takada Gakudô Sensei's style related to iaidô and training?
-"I think Takada Gakudô Sensei's teaching style is great, even for us who hardly know any Japanese he manages to get the message thru. I can't say much about the mini "lectures" during practice since my Japanese is far too bad to understand more than the most basic things, but during the actual practice I think he's teaching style is very pedagogic."

11) What kind of a teacher is Takada Gakudô Sensei?
-"I would quite simply say a good one. Especially his ability to teach at so many different levels so that, for example, after a iaidô seminar, both beginners and advanced students feel that they have been taught something."

12) What would you like to say to someone who is thinking about starting iaidô?
-"Try it! And also, try to keep with it at least through the beginner's term so that you have a little bit more perspective whether to continue or not. I think it is true for most budô (at least for the ones I have tried) that it might take a while before the "real" learning can begin."

Yokohama, Japan 2009/7/4