About Our Dojo
Welcome, and thank you for visiting our dojo website!
We are dedicated to learning and understanding the principles of ancient combat arts, and discovering methods of applying them in a variety of situations to resolve conflicts.
We believe that various systems emphasize different aspects of the martial arts. Just like reading books by different authors on a common subject can help make difficult concepts
easier to understand, becoming familiar with various martial systems can make various principles more apparent and accessible. In the Book of Five Rings, Musashi recommends that one
"know the ways of all arts" in the study of strategy. We hold to this idea, and in the spirit of continual improvement we invite instructors of various arts to share their insights
with us as we promote the arts.
Classes are held twice each week, Friday 7:00 - 9:30 PM and Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 PM. Please see our Calendar for information related to class scheduling, and to see upcoming events.
Our dojo is located at 141 Pleasant St, Malden MA 02148. Please click this
link for directions, or feel free to contact us. Walter Sensei can be reached by phone at 617-470-4468 or by email at renblade2000@yahoo.com
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Upcoming Events
We are hoping to have a tameshigiri session later this summer, more information will be made available once a firm date has been set.
Thank you to everyone who attended our seminar with Don Angier and Jeremy Breazeale, of Yoshida ha Shidare Yanagi Ryu. We hope to have these excellent individuals return to Boston.
In the meanwhile we will train hard on the material that was shared with us.
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Instructor
Walter Wong is the instructor for Boston Samurai Arts. He has studied systems ranging from White Crane Kung Fu with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming to Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho with James Williams.
Occasionally we will also have guest instructors as part of seminars or regular class.
In the absence of an instructor, the senior-most student will lead class until the instructor arrives.
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Dojo Attire
For classes, a student should wear a kimono or gi top, a kaku obi, and a solid colored hakama. Advanced students may wear a striped hakama with the instructor's approval.
Other than a requirement for a beginning student to wear a solid colored hakama, there are no other hard and fast requirements for class attire. Any tasteful gi top may be
worn, and obi color is left to the students discretion.
Because we train with live blades, we recommend the kaku obi as they seem to hold up much better for repeatedly inserting
and removing the katana and second weapon (wakizashi or tanto). If there is any doubt regarding class attire, please ask the sensei or one of the sempai. We can direct you to a
number of online vendors that offer good deals on quality dojo clothing.
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Bokken
At Boston Samurai arts, even though we embrace a variety of arts and understand that there are many valid paths, we trace our martial heritage to the Satsuma region of Japan.
As such, out of a sense of tradition and respect to the original sources, we encourage the use of weapons that reflect where we come from.
For the daito, we recommend a 28-30" ha (blade) section, and a 14-15" tsuka (handle) for a beginning student. With experience and the instructor's approval, other dimensions
will be allowed on a case by case basis. The primary concern is having a dependable, quality training tool.
For the shoto, we recommend the use of wooden tanto although wakizashi-sized weapons are also allowed.
The presence of a second weapon is required whether a student chooses to carry a tanto or wakizashi once they are able to acquire one.
The wooden sword is a training tool, and should be treated as a "real" sword at all times. This will not only ensure the safety of everyone involved, but also help teach
discipline and respect for the tools and the art.
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Live Blade
The blades we use in our dojo are real swords. While some arts include the use of unsharpened metal swords (iaito), we do not require this. Students are welcome to acquire and
use iaito if they feel it is necessary, but we find that the danger inherent in a sharp sword focuses the mind and demands attention to detail in a way that is not easily attained otherwise.
Safety is ensured by allowing only the most serious students, who have shown both ability and dedication, to use live blades in class.
Students are welcome to bring any personal swords to class, however they will not be allowed to be used in our dojo until inspected by the instructor, and the individual student has
approval to use a live blade. Swords are dangerous, and a responsible manner and technical proficiency needs to be demonstrated for the safety of everyone involved.
At Boston Samurai Arts, we recommend a 28-30" ha (blade) and a 14-15" tsuka (handle) for a beginning student who has approval to use a live blade in class. We can recommend a number
of suitable vendors, depending on the student's requirements. Beyond this recommendation, we do not enforce any further requirements, so options such as blade geometry and koshirae are
left to the student's choice.
For the shoto, we recommend tanto or aikuchi, although wakizashi are also allowed. The presence of a second weapon is required whether a student chooses to carry a tanto or wakizashi
once they are able to acquire one.
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Kenjutsu
Swordsmanship is the core of our art. In the various kata and drills are the principles that make up the basis of not only our sword work but also form the essence of our
unarmed techniques.
Our sword work involves both individual and paired kata.
The two strongest influences on our kenjutsu come from our understanding of Yoshida ha Shidare Yanagi ryu and Toyama ryu.
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Iaijutsu
Iaijutsu techniques and principles illustrate various methods of freeing the katana from the saya while under duress. For the most part, this deals with addressing an
unexpected attacker's hostile intention.
The study of iaijutsu shares many elements with kenjutsu. It involves awareness, displacement, redirection, and counter attack.
In the beginning stages, a student will practice various iaijutsu waza on their own. After becoming more familiar with the techniques, they will be introduced to
two-person kata and ultimately be able to respond appropriately to multiple attackers.
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Tameshigiri
It is important to know that the techniques work, and the best method we have in our times is tameshigiri, or test-cutting. Test-cutting highlights areas that require improvement as well as showing a student's progress.
In many ways, tameshigiri is more of a test of the practitioner than of the weapon.
Our tameshigiri sessions incorporate the katana, tanto, wakizashi, and on occasion naginata.
Regardless of the weapon utilized, certain core principles come into play. By seeing how the various tools and techniques affect targets, greater over all understanding can be cultivated.
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Aikijujutsu
Just as our kenjutsu is the omote (outwardly manifested side of our martial art) of our art, aikijujutsu is the ura (secret, hidden, inner manifestation).
Sword principles come into play in our aikijujutsu, and by studying armed and unarmed techniques side by side, both disciplines inform each other and lead to greater subtlety and sophistication.
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