Japanese Metropolitan Police 8th Dan Yabuki Sensei Visits Korea After 13 Years… Ono-ha Itto-ryu Lecture and Friendly Keiko
Yabuki Sensei, 8th Dan kendo instructor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and 18th head of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, visited Korea for the first time in 13 years for a 3-day, 2-night program of lectures and friendly exchange.
Yabuki(矢吹), 8th Dan kendo instructor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and 18th head of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, visited Korea for the first time in 13 years. During this visit, Yabuki Sensei delivered lectures and practical instruction conveying the history and philosophy of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, and visited the Sungkyunkwan Kendo Hall for a friendly keiko session between Korean and Japanese 8th Dan instructors, strengthening ties between kendo practitioners of both countries over a 3-day, 2-night itinerary.
Ono-ha Itto-ryu is regarded as one of the classical (koryu) swordsmanship schools from which many key techniques of modern Japanese kendo originated. In particular, the principle of “kiriotoshi” (切り落とし)—cutting down the opponent’s sword by pressing it from above—is known to be directly connected to the fundamental theories behind today’s kendo techniques such as debana-waza and suriage-waza. As the 18th successor (head) of this school, Yabuki Sensei was accompanied on this visit by six Korean members interested in Ono-ha Itto-ryu.
Day 1 — Ono-ha Itto-ryu Lecture and Practice
On the first day of the visit, Yabuki Sensei delivered a lecture on Ono-ha Itto-ryu. He explained the school’s first kata (第一本) and the principle of kiriotoshi, its core technique, followed by practical instruction. The Korean members who attended the lecture directly experienced the principles of Ono-ha Itto-ryu through the explanations and practice, and the day concluded with general keiko and dinner.
Participants noted that they were particularly impressed by the philosophical aspects of kendo, especially the principle emphasizing the center line. This visit by Yabuki Sensei marked a reunion after 13 years, and despite the long interval, participants reportedly showed great interest and enthusiasm.
Ono-ha Itto-ryu practice scene. Participants face each other with wooden swords, learning the basics of kata. ⓒ MT News
Day 2 — Friendly Keiko at Sungkyunkwan Kendo Hall
On the morning of the second day, a sightseeing tour of Seoul took place, followed in the afternoon by a visit to the Sungkyunkwan Kendo Hall, where a friendly keiko session was held between Korean and Japanese 8th Dan instructors. The disciplined keiko demonstrated by the 8th Dan instructors of both countries left a deep impression on those present.
At the dinner that followed, various opinions were exchanged on topics such as kendo refereeing rules. The conversation continued in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, and participants expressed hope that continued exchange of this kind would further deepen friendship between the kendo communities of both countries. Day two concluded on a positive note, in a friendly atmosphere.
Commemorative photo after the Korea-Japan friendly keiko held at Sungkyunkwan Kendo Hall. ⓒ MT News
Day 3 — Visit to Geomsuwon Dojang, Concluding with Kata Practice
On the third and final day of the visit, the group visited Geomsuwon Dojang in the morning. There, a session was held to learn the basic stance (構え) of Ono-ha Itto-ryu and kata forms 1 through 3. As this was the second such session, it was noted that participants’ understanding had deepened considerably.
Yabuki Sensei was seen off by car to the airport, concluding his 3-day, 2-night visit to Korea. Just before departure, he reportedly conveyed a message of gratitude to those who had accompanied him over the three days, expressing that he had learned a great deal. Korean participants said they were deeply impressed by this farewell, in which his ingrained sense of etiquette was evident.
Concluding the Exchange
This visit, realized after 13 years, is regarded as a meaningful occasion that allowed kendo practitioners from Korea and Japan to reunite through the medium of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, a classical swordsmanship school. Through lectures, practice, friendly keiko, and candid conversation, both sides had the opportunity to understand each other’s perspectives on kendo, and there is strong hope that such exchanges will continue in the future.