This group is about people learning about themselves through Zen Buddhism and traditional Japanese Martial Art (Kobudo). You will do a short period of Zen meditation and then train in learning a 400year old system of Japanese weapons and defence. The training is held twice a week, individual instruction is available on inquiry. However we only accept people looking to dedicate themselves for an ar
t, if you are looking just for skills and fitness, while we have that, it's better to look elsewhere. We are not a gym. This is quite vigorous and not recommended for people over 50 with health issues. People from 5 to upto 95 can do this martial art but people at the high end of age have started at the lower end. Ideal ages are between 14 and 35 to begin, younger is an advantage. You will have to get up quite early and try to enjoy your life, if that's hard for you, believe us you can change, but you will have to try. This is more a lifestyle than a hobby. The tradition is Katori Shinto Ryu which is a traditional style of advanced weaponry and strategy, to which the Japanese longsword is primary and includes other weapons and skills also (Spear, staff, short sword, Jujutsu). We have a close relationship with Aikido WA and Aikikai Australia and UWA JapSSoc and other organizations, while training previosly in a martial art is not necessary, it is an advantage. TRAINING IN THE SWORD IS MOVING ZEN. Traditional swordsmanship encourages concentration and awareness, beyond physical training and violence, studying the sword is studying the self. There is no sporting competition element, but you will have to learn to train with people, be alert, cooperative and responsible. We have no politics in the group only people training to the same point. Training begins with 45 minutes of seated Zen meditation
Appointment is nessesary to arrange to attend a training session. Please email first. We do not take phone bookings, if you please understand that you get what you put in, and we hope you can at least write an email or you're wasting everyone's time including your own. Sorry that sounds hard but it is what it is. This is the kind of training for waking up.
