Iaido Students Earn Promotions

Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall

School of Iaido/Batto-do

Test Notes:

Three students of Iaido have tested for new positions of responsibility in the traditional school of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall. There are three rank levels in this 300-year-old Samurai Iaido Style: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced students. Years of training are encompassed in each of these levels, which emphasizes the importance of the journey, not the destination. Once a Beginner tests for the level of Intermediate and passes, they may begin to use a metal or “live” sword. Late Headmaster Matsuno would calmly point out to students to train and use that training as a daily tool to better themselves and the life they are living. Your training is in fact a tool to be used in self-development.

One of the individuals who tested was Andy Mackie, who tested from Beginner to Intermediate rank. He took the written part of his exam on February 9, 2022. The physical part of his testing was completed on February 25, 2022. Andy began his demonstration of skills and knowledge at 6:30 pm, and this portion of the testing concluded at 9:30 pm. This part included demonstration of two Kamae postures, Muto-Dori including Shunu and Shunsoku, Kumi Tachi including Tekubi and Kubi, as well as Ten-no-kata, Chi-no-kata, Jin-no-kata, Yin-no-kata and Yan-no-kata. This was followed by his highest katas, including Niki-uchi, plus Batto-katas Ippon-Me and Nihon-Me. Other aspects of the art and style such as the Ethics Motto, Japanese terms, and concept questions were covered.

Congratulations to Andy Mackie who will receive his certificate and black stripe indicating his new rank of Intermediate on March 25th, in a formal ceremony during class.

Two other students tested for a new level of responsibility. They have both been at Advanced student status for 15 years or more and began their testing for Tashi by taking the written exam on February 9, 2022. Their physical test began at 6:30 pm on February 25, 2022 and concluded at 10:00 pm. Tashi stands for “Expert Student”, skilled physically and mentally in the art and its presentation. A Tashi has acquired the ability to understand the style as it applies to them and also to others.

Amanda Crandall and Linda Möller have now tested for Tashi. This testing included the Kumi Tachis, Hatto and Nou-Tou, Muto Dori including Shunu, Shunsoku, Ichigeki, and Fuu, plus katas Ten-jo-no-Kata, Chi-jo-no-Kata, Jin-jo-no-kata, Yoko-ichi-monji, and Gya kuba tsu-riken. Other katas from Batto-do were Ippon-Me, Nihon-me, and Happon-Me, and one of the Iaido ceremonial cutting katas called Tamashigiri Ichi. The two students were required to do this kata using their cutting sword and perform the ceremonial cut on a dry half reed.

Congratulations to Amanda Crandall and Linda Möller who will receive their patch for Tashi at a ceremony during class on March 25th. They will receive their certificates for this status on March 19, 2022, at the American Martial Arts Institute’s biannual brunch. This brunch features the presentation of title positions, and Black Belt ranks for the American Martial Arts Institute’s four styles: American Eagle Style, American Eagle Cane Style, Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido/Batto-do, and Americanized Eagle Kendo.