Tokushikai Inside Look

Feliks Hoff Sensei is from Hamburg, Germany, and has been training for over 51 years, during which time he achieved the rank of Kyoshi 6-Dan from the All Japan Kyudo Federation, and was instrumental in spreading of budo, specifically Kyudo in Germany and Europe.   

Hoff Sensei led the founding of the first kyudo group in Germany in 1969, the European Kyudo Federation in 1980, the German Kyudo Federation in 1994, was the taikai coordinator for the European Kyudo Federation for 28 years, and a member of the founding committee of the International Kyudo Federation, sitting as a director for the first 10 years of existence.  

Hoff Sensei is also the author of the one of the preeminent books on Kyudo internationally, called “Kyudo: The Way of the Bow”  

It was such an inspiring experience, speaking with Hoff Sensei, as he shared his budo experience that spans 5 decades, always maintaining the same beginners mind and passion of the practice. 

His resume of achievements seems superhuman, and yet he comes across as the most humble, kind, and generous human being you could talk to.  This conversation has lessons for any budo practitioner, young and old, and I’ve not doubt that the more we follow Hoff Sensei’ example, the better our world will be.  

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Tea Pihlaja is from Helsinki, Finland, and began practicing Jodo and Iaido under Momiyama Takao Sensei (7.dan kyoshi), is currently 4.dan jodo and 3.dan iaido in the Finnish Kendo Association, and practices at the Helsinki Kendo Club "Ki Ken Tai Ichi"  

In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about her introduction to the Japanese martial arts, the development of Jodo and Iaido in Finland, and her personal experiences around learning and leadership.  

It was a pleasure speaking with someone with such a passion and dedication to the martial arts, and her enthusiasm for the developing herself and the arts is infectious and inspiring.   

Not everyone is fortunate to have a high ranked sensei, or active leader in their hometown. This episode is a tribute to those who have taken it upon themselves to make the practice possible. Tea is a wonderful example.  

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Jack James is from Darlington, England, and is currently living in Fukuoka, Japan. He is a practitioner of Jushin-Ryu Iaido and holds the rank of 5-Dan in the All Japan Kendo Federation.  He currently works professionally as an interpreter for the mayor of Fukuoka, and is a regular attendee and supporter of foreigners participating in Iaido events in Japan  

In this fascinating interview, Jack gives us insight into the complexities and rigour of interpretation as a profession and in the Iaido context. This deep dive has given me a much greater appreciation for our tireless interpreters at seminars outside of Japan.  

At the end of this interview, we get a brief glimpse into the world of Jushin ryu, but I’ve cut short that part of the interview so we can go into more depth in the future.  

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Spiros Drossoulakis Sensei is from Athens, Greece, and has been training for over 35 years, during which time he achieved the rank of Iaido renshi 7 dan, Kendo 5 dan, Karate Shotokan 4 dan, and has been a major contributor to the Hellenic Kendo Iaido Naginata Federation  

Drossoulakis Sensei founded the Furyu Athens Dojo in 2002, and has since then functioned, apart as the main sensei of the dojo, as coach of the Hellenic Iaido National Team, Iaido Technical Advisor of the Serbian Kendo Federation, served previously as the General Secretary and is current President of the Hellenic Kendo Iaido Naginata Federation.   

In this wide ranging conversation, we get a brief glimpse into a lifetime of martial training, relationships, and experiences, and the inspiring growth of budo in the country of Greece.  

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Mihasu Asai Sensei from Nagoya city in Aichi Prefecture, which has the largest number of Kyudo practitioners in Japan.

Asai Sensei began his training under Asano Osamu Sensei (Kyoshi 7-Dan), and remains a member of the Nakamura Kyudojo

In this wide-ranging conversation, Asai Sensei speaks of his Kyudo travels to the United States and Europe, conducting research on the cultural impact of Kyudo around the world. 

In addition to his tireless efforts as an interpreter at international seminars, Asai Sensei is also an inspiration to the next generation of young Kyudo leaders, having attained the rank of Renshi 6-Dan two years ago at the age of 26.

Asai Sensei speaks with experience, yet humility, and is a model of how budo arts like Kyudo help forge better human beings. 

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Marcus Lee-Steere Sensei is from Melbourne, Australia, and has been training for over 20 years, during which time he achieved the rank of Renshi 6-Dan Iaido 5-Dan Jodo, and has been a major contributor to the Australian Kendo Renmei and Victoria Kendo Renmei.  

Lee-Steere Sensei founded the Chikushinkai Iaido Club in 2004 and has participated in training seminars and tournaments in Japan and Europe.  

In this episode, we talk about the general state of Iaido in Australia, the value of seeing Iaido in Japan, and the development of his Sensei-Student relationship, informed by episode 4 of this podcast with Peter West Sensei  It was great to see this show growing into much more of an ongoing conversation.  

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Douglas Tong Sensei is from Orangeville, Canada, and in this episode we continue our exploration of Japanese culture in budo.  

Part 2 of this series will focus on the concept of rank, and where it fits within Japanese martial arts, and the broader society.  

In this stimulating lecture, he shares insights from his Sensei as well as personal experience and knowledge from a lifetime in education, including a graduate degree and a career that spans decades.  

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Andy Ho is from Toronto, Canada, has lived several years in Germany and is currently studying in Vienna, Austria.  

Andy has a degree in Theatre Studies with a focus on dramaturgy and staging, and has worked in various theatre projects as  assistant director.   

Andy connects Iaido with his theatre praxis, as well as his passion for Noh and Jidaigeki (Japanese historical drama).  In this interview, we explore 

Andy’s various experiences training in different countries, and how he brings his skills and interests in theatre and narrative into Iaido practice.  

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Earl Hartman Sensei is from Palo Alto, California, USA, and has been training for nearly 50 years, and has experience in Kendo, Iaido, Jo, and Nagao-ryu  

Hartman Sensei’s primary martial art is Kyudo, where he holds the rank of Renshi 6-Dan from the All Japan Kyudo Federation, and studied kyudo with the late Urakami Hiroko Sensei, the first, and only, Woman Hanshi 10th dan in the kyudo renmei.  

In this episode, he shares many fun and interesting stories from his personal experience, as well as those of famous Kyudo Sensei in history.   

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Agnes Lee Sensei is from Hong Kong, China, and has been training for over 20 years  She represented Hong Kong in 5 world kendo championships, and currently holds the rank of 5th dan in Kendo and Iaido.  

Today we’ll be talking about what drew her back to the practice after nearly a decade away, and the challenges of becoming a beginner again.  Agnes is an inspiration to me and many young budo practitioners for her selflessness and courage. 

It was a pleasure to speak with her about her experiences and philosophy for practice.  

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