Important Events in April, 2025
The following events were held by the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Headquarters and Setagaya Branch from Saturday, April 19th to Sunday, April 27th, 2025. The summary report is as follows;
〈Asakusa 43rd Japanese Kobudo Tournament〉
On Saturday, April 19th, the 43rd Japanese Kobudo Demonstration in Asakusa was held, with 301 participants from 51 schools affiliated with the Japan Kobudo Promotion Society. 8 members from Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, including Kondo Masayuki Hombucho, participated and demonstrated the Hiden Mokuroku techniques (Idori, Hanza-handachi, Tachiai, Ushirodori), “Ken (sword technique) and Jujitsu”, Tanken (knife)-dori, and Tasu-dori (techniques against multiple attackers).
(Reference) Headquarters website: https://www.daitohryu.com/all/info/2333, Japan Kobudo Promotion Society website: https://kobushin.jp/news/202504193262/
<Katsuura Training Camp and 66th Headquarters Demonstration>
The annual Katsuura Camp was held at the Nippon Budokan Training Center in Katsuura from Monday, April 21st to Saturday, April 26th. Under the instruction of Kondo Katsuyuki Somucho and Kondo Masayuki Hombucho, approximately 80 students from 12 countries participated, and practiced intensively for 6.5 hours in 4 sessions every day. On Friday, April 25th, the anniversary of the death of Takeda Sokaku Sensei, the promotion examination and the 66th Headquarters Demonstration were held, and the camp was successfully concluded.
(Reference) Headquarters website: https://www.daitohryu.com/all/2344
〈Kondo Katsuyuki Somucho’s Celebration for Receiving the Order of the Sacred Treasure Silver Rays〉
From the evening of Saturday, April 26th, a grand celebration for Kondo Katsuyuki Somucho’s receiving the Order of the Sacred Treasure Silver Rays was held at the Hotel Grand Hill Ichigaya, with approximately 250 attendees, including Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces officials, Diet members, Heads of martial arts schools, and Daito-ryu students. From Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, Alex Muracchini 5th Dan performed a demonstration on behalf of the students, adding luster to the celebration.
(Reference) Headquarters website: https://www.daitohryu.com/all/2349
〈Setagaya Branch Children’s Class Demonstration〉
On Sunday, April 27th, the Setagaya Branch held the second Children’s Class Demonstration. With their families watching, 10 children students from 1st to 4th grade of elementary schools performed one by one, showing the results of their daily practice. Although they were all nervous, they performed with careful movements and spirited techniques, making it clear that they had grown in the year since the children’s class was established and that they had potential for the future.
These 9 days were very meaningful times for experiencing the past, present, and future of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.
Hideto Usuyama
Kyoju-dairi, Vice Headquarters Director and Setagaya Branch Chief
Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu
