Hissho Kai Dojo, Lorton Virginia, features Mugai Ryu, US Federation of Batto Do and Gekken Training

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - May 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Mr. Jason Lee A. Hatcher, Meishiha Study Group Leader for Washington DC (also Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Katsujinken Magazine) announced the new study group formation in the Northern Virginia | Washington DC corridor to be held at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton Virginia. He stated, "We have found a location for a Meishiha Mugai Ryu, United States (US) Batto Do Federation, Gekken sword art studies. Having been sanctioned Study Group Leader for Washington DC in Meishiha Mugai Ryu by Tony Alvarez Sensei of Senpokan Dojo in Southern California, to also represent Sang Kim Sensei from New York City, New York in US Batto Do Federation studies as well.

Alvarez Sensei serves as Head Representative of Meishiha under Ninna Gosoke of Japan and Kim Sensei serves as President of US Batto Do Federation, both Sensei's have the deepest respect of our ever-growing membership. This is an exciting path of discovery, which I'm thankful to be honored with through Meishiha - to serve both Meishiha and US Batto Do Federation locally."

Training is slated to consist of standing and kneeling kata, kumitachi (two men forms), tameshigiri (cutting), bokken drills (wooden swords), Zen principles and other relative sword art practices. The art forms represented include:

• Meishiha Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo - Mugai Ryu is a traditional Japanese sword art dating back 300 years. The founder, Tsuji Gettan Shukeshige believed that "sword and zen are one truth" (kenzen ichi nyo).Strong emphasis is placed on etiquette and the principles associated with use of Japanese swordsmanship. Iai kata is performed from kneeling stances as well as standing and running. Repetitious cutting exercises (suburi) are incorporated to develop muscle memory and form. At higher levels, kumitachi and kenjutsu, partnered interactive exercises are taught.

• USFBD - the Federation was established as a means of connecting the many varied Iai groups in North America and we are the counterpart of the All Japan Battodo Federation (Zen Nihon Battodo Renmei). Our renmei is not a style, but offers a standard set of kata and tameshigiri (cutting) patterns. This allows students of different sword styles to come together in the spirit of camaraderie and friendship for summer camps and tournaments (tai kai). It is not our desire to change other styles, but rather to create a "common ground" on which different styles may meet. ~President, Sang Kim Sensei

• Gekken - the study of fighting, through the use of protective equipment and padded swords. Students learn the applied concepts of kata, cutting, kumitachi and kenjutsu. Emphasis is placed heavily on life and death, that one should always strive to cut without being cut. Otherwise known as Aiuchi or a mutual kill. There are rules to this study and students wishing to take part must first train in prerequisites.

Where:
Hissho Kai Dojo
Workhouse Arts Center
A Project of the Lorton Arts Foundation
9601 Ox Road
Lorton, VA 22079

When:
Sunday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Arts:
Mugai Ryu
US Federation of Batto Do
Gekken

Who:
Head Instructor, Jason Lee A. Hatcher (Editor-in-Chief, Katsujinken Magazine, a Sword Arts Journal)

Contact Information:
jason@katsujinkenmagazine.com