Please reach us at tcsamuraiarts@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
For in-person training at the dojo, please come to one of our listed class times.
Wear clothes that enable you to move around. We have basic gear you can borrow until you can purchase your own belt and wooden sword.
Please email us if you have any questions!
Anyone 18 or older is welcome to come train with us.
We are only 5 minutes from downtown Traverse City. Located inside the Traverse City Fencing club.
From Traverse City, go south on Cass, then left on Sybrant road (just before South Airport). The fencing school is on your right, in a large converted warehouse. Drive around the side of the warehouse and look for the signs on the door.
From South Airport, turn north on Cass, then right on Sybrant road. The fencing school is on your right, in a large converted warehouse. Drive around the side of the warehouse and look for the signs on the door.
Our address is: 2419 Sybrant Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, United States
Nami Ryu as a martial arts system is comprised of unarmed techniques (Aiki-jujutsu) taken directly from the study of Japanese sword arts (kenjutsu and iaijutsu) and knife arts (tantojutsu).
Nami Ryu means “wave style” and refers to the fact that energy travels in waves. The wave effect is one of the underlying principles of our art.
We mainly study -jutsu arts in our curriculum. Here is an article talking about some of the differences: do-vs-jutsu
Today, most people have heard about or seen Kendo but few have heard of Kenjutsu. Here is a great blog post about the history of these terms. We are a school for Kenjutsu.
Our head instructor, James Williams has created a course to study the basic curriculum on Vimeo, a streaming video service. He gives fantastic insight into all the content, highly recommended.
Check out the Nami Ryu Online Dojo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/namiryu/
Nami Ryu principles and techniques originate in ancient martial arts (bujutsu) and strategies (heiho, or hyoho) that were exclusively used by the samurai. Our curriculum covers a wide range of bugei (Japanese martial arts), which encompass skills that were once necessary for the samurai warrior in the performance of his martial duties.
These principles also apply to the study of jujutsu. Jujutsu comes from the study of the sword; both use the same “operating system”.
Our principles are:
The result is that studying sword arts and jujutsu become the same, with a single system that guides both armed and unarmed training. These practical skills are translated into teachings applicable in modern times.
Here is a quick pronunciation guide:
Ken (sword): "ken"
Jutsu (technique, art, study): "joot-su"
Kenjutsu (sword arts): "ken-joot-su"
IaiJutsu (drawing and cutting art): "ee-eye-joot-su"
Aiki Jujutsu (empty hand arts): "eye-key joo-joot-su"
Tantojutsu (knife arts): "tahn-toe joot-su"
Bujutsu (entire martial arts system): "bu-joot-su"
Kaku Obi (wide belt, extra long): "kah-koo oh-bee"
Bokken (wooden sword): "boh-ken"
Shinken (steel sword): "shin-ken"
Dojo (practice space): "doe-joe"
Nami (wave): "nahm-ee"
Ryu (school, style): "ree-you"
Aiki (martial arts principle): "eye-key"
Heiho (strategy): "hey-ho"
Noto (retuning the sword to the sheath): "no-toe"
Saya (sword sheath): "sigh-yah"
Keiko (to practice): "kay-koh"
Kamiza (location of honor): "kah-mee-zah"
Seiza (sitting posture on the knees): "say-zuh"
Kamae (posture for sword practice): "kah-my"
NAMI RYU CLASS STARTING SEQUENCE
"Shomen ni rei": Bow to front or kamiza (also done without command or statement)
"Sensei ni rei": Bow to the teacher
"Onegaishimasu" (O-nah-Gah-she-mas): Please (when asking for something, usually
as in Please lets practice together)
NAMI RYU CLASS ENDING SEQUENCE
"Shomen ni rei": Bow to front or kamiza (also done without command or statement)
"Sensei ni rei": Bow to the teacher
"Domo Arigato Gozaimashita" (DOE-mo Ah-REE-Gah-Toe Go-ZYE-Mosh-Tah) Thank you
very much (very formal) (for something that has just ended)
SWORD TRAINING GEAR
All you need to get started is:
- a belt (kaku obi)
- a wooden sword (bokken).
Dont worry about having everything when you first show up, we will provide basic gear for you to use.
As you need, use the info and links below to order your gear.
Helpful tips:
Not all hakama come with straps that are the full length for the way we tie them. We need the front straps to be about 165cm. If your waist is larger than 36 inches, it is recommended to get extensions on the straps (bohi).
Sizing: Pick a hakama that is one size smaller than your measurement. Click here for a hakama size chart. (I am 5'11", and I wear a size 23, but I fit the measurements for a size 24).
Make sure to find out what the back plate (koshi-ita) is made of. You want plastic, so that the hakama is washable in a conventional washing machine.
Helpful article on how to choose your hakama
Here are some recommended places to buy a hakama:
1. Budo shop sakuraya - This store has high quality hakama, with straps (bohi) that are the length we need.
NOTE: Ordering from Sakuraya will require an additional international fee to be paid before your package leaves Japan. Keep an eye out for this
2. E-bogu - E-bogu has a good selection of aikido hakama (may need bohi extensions)
3. Tozando - Tozando has some different materials (may need bohi extensions)
4. Yamato budogu - Yamato budogu has good hakama (may need bohi extensions)
Here are some recommended places to buy a keiko gi:
1. Budo shop sakuraya - This gi in size 5 is a rough equivalent of an American mens large.
NOTE: Ordering from Sakuraya will require an additional international fee to be paid before your package leaves Japan. Keep an eye out for this
2. Yamato budogu - Yamato budogu options (avoid pink).
3. E-bogu - E-bogu dark option
4. E-bogu - E-bogu light option
5. Tozando - Tozando basic gi top
Note: The kaku obi needs to be about 160 inches long (over 13 feet) - do not get a quick tie, velcro, or a short obi - they will not work.
Here are some recommended places to buy a kaku obi:
1. E-bogu - order any color "Deluxe Kaku Obi for Iai"
2. Tozando
3. Budo shop sakuraya - Sakuraya has cotton and silk kaku obi.
NOTE: Ordering from Sakuraya will require an additional international fee to be paid before your package leaves Japan. Keep an eye out for this
There are a lot of good options out there, however please make sure that your bag is long enough to carry two swords (with guards), and a jo (51 inches long).
This basic bag from e-bogu is a great place to start:
Here is a short article that talks about the reason behind the longer tsuka we use.
About long tsuka: https://bugei.com/pages/about-long-tsuka
Real Weapons / Live Blades
The use of real weapons throughout our training is a major factor that sets us apart from many other martial studies. Senior and intermediate students are permitted – and encouraged – to carry real weapons in addition to wooden training weapons. Our school uses a particular sword style, and you will be helped in determining the right sword for you and your training with us.
However, we are very cautious with the use of “live” weapons and thus beginners are not allowed to use them. Sharp weapons may be carried after much diligent study, and only with the chief instructor’s approval.
2419 Sybrant Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, United States
Wednesday: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - Noon
Copyright © 2022 TCSamuraiArts - All Rights Reserved.
Dragonfly Kamon used with permission from the talented LARABESQUE pochoirs
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