American Martial Arts Institute

American-Japanese Good Will Tour 2002 Our School represents New York State and American Martial Arts in one of the true birth places of the Martial Arts
SUMMARY AND REFLECTIONS
More pictures will be coming

Good international relations are everyone's responsibility. The fertile top soil of a hill is not held together by the roots of the large trees but by the intertwining efforts of the grass. A nation's leaders are seen and heard, but it is the actions of a nation's individual people that can prove a nation's worth and create bonds of trust and hope from country to country and culture to culture.

Various Japanese leaders offered comments regarding their impressions of the Good Will Tour. Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno, the head of the traditional samurai sword school in Japan, extended a rewarding comment by stating that it gave him a good feeling to see the Japanese culture and traditions having an effect on the West since the West has had such a great influence on the Japanese people and their young adults. Grand Master Kaoru Watanabe of the Japanese Kendo Organization observed that the respect and courtesy of the American group illustrated that the Japanese and American people have much more in common than first meets the eye.

The following is an outline of this sharing of cultures:

July 2, 2002 (Iaido Training in Akashi)

The first few days of the group's stay were in the lovely city of Akashi. The American Iaido Team trained in traditional Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu Matsuno, a 300 year-old samurai sword cutting style. Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno and his wife, Masako, were to work with the men and women of the American Iaido Team this day. For this occasion a special presentation was made to Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno of the professionally framed New York State Legislative Resolution which was passed by the Senate on May 7, 2002. Following the presentation, the group's training began at 9:00 in the morning and went until 12:00. Then after a brief break training continued at 1:00 and ended at 5:00.

Here Headmaster Matsuno is presented the Legislative Resolution on behalf of the New York State Senate by Grand Master Crandall. July 3, 2002 (Iaido Training, Himeji Castle)

The American Iaido Team trained through the morning with the ceremonial passing of the Master Instructor status from Headmaster Matsuno to Grand Master Crandall. With this ceremony, Headmaster Matsuno identified Clifford Crandall as the successor and Master Instructor of over 300 years of tradition. Headmaster Matsuno expressed that since he is now turning 70, he wishes to train but not to teach, and that it is time for someone else to pass on the tradition and heritage of the sword cutting style. At the conclusion of this ceremony Headmaster Matsuno also presented Grand Master Crandall and the newly established school with 3 swords. This was an exciting and momentous occasion for the Iaido Team, as well as for all the members of the American-Japanese Good Will Tour.

The American Iaido Team group picture at the foot of Himeji Castle. Each New York State Senator and the sponsors involved in this Good Will Tour 2002 received a 16X20 of this picture.

At 1:00, the group was led by Headmaster Matsuno, who acted as host and translator, on a visit to Himeji Castle, which is a UNESCO "world heritage" site. It was at the foot of Himeji castle that the group picture of the Iaido team was taken. Headmaster Matsuno took the opportunity at this beautiful and historic site to teach Grand Master Crandall the highest two-sword form of the traditional Iaido style. After this session everyone enjoyed a tour which showed the beauty and splendor of Himeji Castle.

July 4, 2002 (Todaiji Temple, Iga Ninja Museum, Ueno Castle, Koga Ninja House)

The group left by way of tour bus to Nara to see Todaiji Temple, where the Great Buddha resides and is 53 feet high. The casting of this vast statue in 752 deployed hundreds of tons of molten bronze, mercury and vegetable wax. From here the group traveled to the Iga and Koga provinces to see the Iga Ninja Museum and the Ninja Farmhouse which was depicted on Ripley's Believe It or Not. This museum is at the foot of Ueno Castle, another beautiful site in Japan. From here the group was transported to Koga Ninja House. This house is over 300 years old, and has been maintained as it had been structured by the owner, who was a ninja. This house is still owned by the ninja's descendants and is maintained as an off-the-beaten-path accurate part of Japanese history. Then it was off to the excitement of Kyoto.

July 5, 2002 (Isenoumi Stable for Sumo Wrestlers, Making of the Samurai Sword in Gifu)

This day's travels began with a train ride to the Isenoumi stable, which is the oldest sumo stable in Japan. This was a very special morning where 18 sumo wrestlers and their trainer spent time answering questions and demonstrating the ceremonial, historic and exciting aspects of sumo wrestling. This whole presentation was being done solely for the American-Japanese Tour group. A very rare offer was extended to Grand Master Crandall to wrestle the top sumo competitor in the group. Grand Master Crandall accepted and at 155 lbs. squared off in the holy ring across from a 420 lbs. sumo wrestler. The rules and the ceremonial procedures were explained to Grand Master Crandall and then the match began. After a short time had elapsed, Grand Master Crandall picked himself up from the dirt and awarded the sumo to be the champion. It was at this point in the tour that a group picture of all of the members of the American-Japanese Good Will Tour and the hosting sumo wrestlers was taken.

Grand Master Crandall is invited to wrestle the Isenoumi Stable's best wrestler his weight 420 pounds Grand Master Crandall at 155 pounds prepars.

The American-Japanese group then boarded a bus to make the long drive to the town of Gifu to understand the intricate art and craftsmanship in making a samurai sword. This experience was hosted by a 74 year-old sword master and his working partner who was not only a sword maker but the Grand Master of the Toyama Iaido school in Japan. Following this was an opportunity to see and purchase swords of all sizes and shapes make by this company and by individually contracted master craftsmen.

July 6, 2002 (Nijo Castle, Sanju-Sangen-Do Temple, Kinkaku-ji, Tenryu-ji Temple)

The day's first stop was Nijo Castle. This is a beautiful, private home that was in effect a large castle. This summer home was used at times by the Shogun. The group was educated on the nightingale floors, which were used as an alarm system, and on the many rooms and how they were furnished and heated. The beauty of this castle was accented by the historical fact that it was in this castle that the powers shifted from the Shogun into the hands of the Japanese Emperor, which became known as the beginning of modern Japan.

From there the group was transported to the Sanju-Sangen-Do Temple. This temple is world recognized, because it houses one thousand and one Kannon statues, (goddess of mercy) and each one was individually carved. This temple is the longest wooden structure in the world, and the main statue is of a 1,000 armed Kannon which was carved in 1254.

Next the group went to Kinkaku-ji, also called the Golden Pavilion. This site is also world recognized, due to its unique structure. It was originally cast in gold, and is surrounded by a beautiful pond and garden. It was at this location that a group picture of all the martial artists in the group was taken.

A group picture of all the American Martial Arts Black Belts infront of the Golden Pavilion.

The afternoon was set aside for an instructional class in the background philosophy and process of Zen meditation. This took place at the historic Tenryu-ji Temple, which was designed and built by the monk Muso Soseki to experience Zen meditation. The group was fortunate enough to have the Buddist monk Shaku Yuho, an American who had left the U.S. to study Zen 33 years ago. His American name is Thomas Kirchner, and because of his articulate English and scholarly manner, he was able to aptly relate the Zen concepts and methods. The afternoon was found to be very rewarding.

July 7, 2002 (Mount Fuji)

Leaving Kyoto on another amazing bullet train, the American-Japanese group traveled to Mount Fuji, locally known as Fuji-san. From the train a bus took the group to station five. Arriving at station five, the group was given the opportunity to climb a distance up Mount Fuji. The climb started with rain, but as members of the group ascended the mountain it changed to sleet. What was referred to as "old station seven" was reached by many group members. Although physically demanding, it was an exciting time for everyone involved. Then back on the bus and off to Tokyo.

July 8, 2002 (Kendo Seminar)

The last full day in Japan involved one of the most educational aspects of the trip. The group was given the opportunity to view the Japanese Kendo Association's 50 year anniversary, which was being marked by a world-wide Kendo seminar. This seminar was headed by the world recognized Kyoshi 8th Degree Kaoru Watanabe and Kyoshi 7th Degree Kenji Horiyam. With the top Kendo instructors from schools in 21 different countries, the seminar emanated an atmosphere of the greats teaching the best. The hospitality and marital arts courtesies extended were heartfelt and appreciated by all the members of the group. During this seminar, not only were the skills and techniques of the art of Kendo observed, but there were also seminars by two of Japan's greatest masters in the handmaking of Kendo armor and equipment.

July 9, 2002

With a half day left for shopping, the American-Japanese Good Will Tour group left for the airport at 12:00. Everyone expressed their excitement and happiness regarding all they had seen and done.

In conclusion, the world is truly getting smaller, and the understanding and cooperation of people in each country needs to be encouraged. It is hoped by the members of the American-Japanese Good Will Tour that in some way we have encouraged not only good will between the United States and Japan, but possibly stimulated others to embark on such cultural trips to other countries.

The group extends their thanks and appreciation to the senators and congressmen who wrote letters of support for this cultural exchange. Sincere appreciation goes to Metzler's printing, one of the sponsors who provided the information pamphlets for the tour. Also, a special thanks to Yasuyo Baba, the Japanese translator, who helped make the buttons, brochures and pamphlets legible for all of the Japanese who received one. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to WKTV-2 and WBU-11, the NBC and Warner Brothers affiliates for Central New York, who have undertaken the development of a half-hour television show covering this tour.