The Tengukenkai
Once there was a swordsman who, pondering his situation thought to himself: "There is a story that, long ago, when Minamoto Yoshitsune was still called Ushiwakamaru, he went deep into Mt. Kurama, where he met with demons both large and small, and learned the deepest secrets of swordsmanship... Now I've been deeply resolved in this Way and have practiced for many years. Still I have not yet learned its deepest secrets or got to the heart of it. I, too, should go into the mountains, meet with the demons, and carry on the highest laws of this Way."
- From the "Tengu Geijutsuron" (1728)
About the Tengukenkai:
The Tengukenkai translates loosely as "The Sword Society of the Mountain Demon". In Japanese folklore it is believed that high up in the mountain forests of Mt. Kurama, late at night, the secrets of the martial arts were taught to diligent seekers by terrifying supernatural winged beings known as the Tengu.
We are diligent seekers.
The Tengukenkai Mission:
To preserve the teachings of Ryokukai founder Katsumi Niikura and to foster an appreciation of the Japanese samurai sword culture and traditions. Through austere traditional kenjutsu/Iaido training; to assist others in forging their spiritual character and physical bodies, to cultivate their internal energy and generation of power.
Click here for the current "Tengukenkai Rank Testing Requirements"
- From the "Tengu Geijutsuron" (1728)
About the Tengukenkai:
The Tengukenkai translates loosely as "The Sword Society of the Mountain Demon". In Japanese folklore it is believed that high up in the mountain forests of Mt. Kurama, late at night, the secrets of the martial arts were taught to diligent seekers by terrifying supernatural winged beings known as the Tengu.
We are diligent seekers.
The Tengukenkai Mission:
To preserve the teachings of Ryokukai founder Katsumi Niikura and to foster an appreciation of the Japanese samurai sword culture and traditions. Through austere traditional kenjutsu/Iaido training; to assist others in forging their spiritual character and physical bodies, to cultivate their internal energy and generation of power.
Click here for the current "Tengukenkai Rank Testing Requirements"
Instructor
My name is Richard Cromwell and thank you for your interest in our group and the art we study.
A little bit about myself: I have been walking along the path of Budo now for the better part of 23 years. I started training seriously at the Ryokukai Honbu Dojo under Katsumi Niikura Sensei in 2001 and achieved an internationally licensed (U.S. & Japan) Yudadansha (black-belt) in Toyama-ryu Iaido from the Toyama-ryu Iaido Tanabekai in 2004; I then received my Ryokukai Aikido Shodan in 2005, and my Aikido Nidan in 2007. I have also been very fortunate to have twice traveled to Japan with Niikura Sensei along with some good friends from the Ryokukai in order to teach and demonstrate Budo.
I started out my martial arts journey training in Uechi-ryu Okinawan karate in 1989 and achieved my Isshin-ryu Karate Shodan in 1994. In addition to studying/practicing/ and teaching Toyama-ryu Iaido at the Ryokukai Honbu, I am also a student of Shinto Hatakage-ryu Iai Heiho; a 300 year old, obscure family system of koryu iaijutsu under the current U.S. Dai-kyo. I also study Musashi's famed "Hyoho Nitenichi-ryu" as taught by the Sei Do Kai at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
I am a member of the U.S. Battodo Federation and am looking forward to training and competing in their organization in the future!
The Ryokukai Toyama-ryu Iaido classes are taught with the permission and under the guidance of Katsumi Niikura Sensei.
A little bit about myself: I have been walking along the path of Budo now for the better part of 23 years. I started training seriously at the Ryokukai Honbu Dojo under Katsumi Niikura Sensei in 2001 and achieved an internationally licensed (U.S. & Japan) Yudadansha (black-belt) in Toyama-ryu Iaido from the Toyama-ryu Iaido Tanabekai in 2004; I then received my Ryokukai Aikido Shodan in 2005, and my Aikido Nidan in 2007. I have also been very fortunate to have twice traveled to Japan with Niikura Sensei along with some good friends from the Ryokukai in order to teach and demonstrate Budo.
I started out my martial arts journey training in Uechi-ryu Okinawan karate in 1989 and achieved my Isshin-ryu Karate Shodan in 1994. In addition to studying/practicing/ and teaching Toyama-ryu Iaido at the Ryokukai Honbu, I am also a student of Shinto Hatakage-ryu Iai Heiho; a 300 year old, obscure family system of koryu iaijutsu under the current U.S. Dai-kyo. I also study Musashi's famed "Hyoho Nitenichi-ryu" as taught by the Sei Do Kai at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
I am a member of the U.S. Battodo Federation and am looking forward to training and competing in their organization in the future!
The Ryokukai Toyama-ryu Iaido classes are taught with the permission and under the guidance of Katsumi Niikura Sensei.