神道の合気道, Rare Look at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America

The video featured here is of the Kannagara Aikido Aiki Taisai, filmed by Alex Williams on April 27-29 2012 with Rev. Koichi Barish at Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, Washington. As a one time member of the Shinkendo Honbu, I have had the distinct pleasure of being a guest of the Aikido group and Barraish Sensei up there. The Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America has to be one of the most awesome places to train in martial arts I have ever experienced. The spiritual side to Bushido can not be understated particularly in regards to Aikido whose founder 植芝 盛平, Ueshiba Morihei himself was a devout Shinto practitioner. We at American Mishima love to feature this shrine for it has special meaning for us. The beauty and power of the place is both unmistakable and quite awe inspiring for the site itself was chosen by the direction of the Kami. The river ceremony depicted here is the Shinto morning purification rite known as Misogi. Traditionally performed in Japan under a waterfall, it is done there in the Pilchuck River. Yours truly has participated in this purification at this very Shrine during the summer of 2010. Much like Shinto itself, photographs can only show you so much. Video on the other hand gives you the next closest thing to being there. However, it's better experienced than explained. If you have an interest in Shinto or Aikido, we highly reccomend a visit to The Grand Tsubaki Shrine of America. You'll be glad you did.

For more information about Kannagara Aikido, please contact Kannushi@Tsubakishrine.org. This year Kannagara celebrates it's 20th year.

Shinkendo Sosetsu Kinenbi – 20th Anniversary of Shinkendo!

On May 10th, the Shinkendo Honbu Dojo located in the heart of Little Tokyo and branch dojo around the world will be celebrating the Shinkendo Sosetsu Kinenbi, the 2oth anniversary of the founding of Shinkendo by it's founder Toshishiro Obata whose credits include being the All Japan Battodo Champion for seven consecutive years, Ioriken Battojutsu Champion for 5 years and Toyama Ryu All Japan Champion for 2 years. Toshishiro Obata has also been featured in many movies and television documentaries such as Fight Science and others relating to the Samurai Arts. He continues to teach Aikido, Akibujutsu, Shinkendo, & Toyama Ryu at the Shinkendo Honbu Dojo to this very day. As a student of Obata Kaiso, I consider myself very lucky to receive instruction by such a world renown swordmaster.

For those not familiar with this unique Japanese martial art, Shinkendo is a modern system of Japanese swordsmanship which incorporates all aspects of sword study: Suburi (swinging methods), Battoho (drawing methods), Tanren Kata (solo forms), Tachiuchi (sparring) and Tameshigiri (test-cutting). You can find more information about Obata Kaiso and Shinkendo at thier official website at Shinkendo

For additional books and DVD's on Shinkendo and other Samurai Arts please visit :

 The American Mishima Bushidoya eStore!

ありがとう ございます!

新しいストア New American Mishima eStore!

こんにちわ! I am pleased to announce the opening of my new American Mishima Bushidoya eStore. In a new partnership with Amazon, I am making available a collection of books, dvd's, and other items to come of Japanese & Bushido Culture. It's not a matter of selling out. It's just after two years of being out of work this became a logical thing to do after answering many questions as to which books would I reccomend such as basic starter Samurai films or Shinto & Bushido books. Granted, there are other sources out there and I do list them. Given that, I hope that new readers will give my little estore a glance and perhaps help support yours truly while finding items they may wish to have. So please visit and thank you for your support! ありがとう ございます!

Shinkendo Has Moved

Sayonara Galleria! The Shinkendo Honbu Dojo has now officially moved from its old location at 333 Alameda to it's new location in Little Tokyo. The New Honbu Dojo is located upstairs on the second floor at 320 East 2nd Steet.

We are now in the heart of Little Tokyo directly across from the Japanese Village Plaza. Parking will be a little harder to find given that the local meters have raised their hours to 8:00PM and charge up to $2.00 an hour. There are parking lots close by. The new place is smaller so extended hours are in the works. Please check with the Shinkendo Website for any further details or concern at Shinkendo

新しい - Shinkendo on the Move

After the last two months of searching, we are pleased to announce that the Shinkendo Honbu will remain in Little Tokyo. The Shinkendo Honbu Dojo will be moving from its current location at 333 Alameda to a new location. As of February 22nd 2009, we will be located at 320 E. 2nd St across from the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo.

For more information on Shinkendo, Akibujutsu please visit the official Shinkendo website.