Special keiko with Futagoishi-sensei/二子石先生との特別稽古会

We had a special keiko with Futagoishi-sensei on 2/16/12.  Futagoishi-sensei is Hanshi 8^th dan and All Japan 8^th dan tournament champion. (2006)  This was a part of the All US Kendo Federation’s Educational Tour.  Futagoishi-sensei went to New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Boston and Detroit.  Futagoishi-sensei taught us very basic manner, such as how to do seiza, how to sit down and stand up, etc. as those were not followed properly even in Japan, according to him.  He also went over some basic skills.  We had approximately 40 participants and most of us had a chance to practice with him during ji-keiko.  He was very strong (of course!), but very nice sensei.  We went out for a dinner after the practice.  Some of us also went to his room at his hotel and stayed very late to drink and talk about kendo a lot and had very fun night.  (until 4 a.m………..)

２月１６日に日本より二子石先生においでいただきました。全米剣道連盟の講習会ツアーの一環として行われた講習会には約４０名の参加がありました。二子石先生より、正座の仕方、立ち方等の基本的なマナーや所作が最近日本でもおろそかになっているとのことで、これらを再度確認しましょうということで細かくご指導いただいた。また、基本の素振り、基本打などを短い時間の中で、たくさんご指導いただいた。地稽古では参加者のほとんどが先生に懸かる機会を頂き、とても充実した講習会となった。二子石先生はお強いのは当たり前だが、とても優しく、気さくにご指導してくださり、参加者は皆、学ぶべきものの多い講習会となった。稽古後も食事、さらには先生のお部屋で第２、第３道場となり、夜遅くまで（朝早くまで？）お付き合いいただき、剣道談義のつきなかった。