Kashi-no-ki kenyu kai hosted a short Dan grade seminar on Sunday 23rd November 2003. This practice was lead by a visiting sensei, Susumu Nagao Kendo 7th Dan Kyoshi professor of physical education, school of commerce Meiji university Japan.

The seminar was attended by a total of thirteen students from dojos in the midlands and the north with grades ranging from 5th dan to 1st dan, including two members from the British team.

Sensei started by explaining that he was visiting England to carry out research into western people practising Kendo. The first part of the practice started with Kendo-no-kata and progressed to Bokoto ni yoru kendo kihon-waza keiko-ho. Sensei explained the purpose of this form of training and its benefits.

After a short break we then continued the practice with kiri-kaeshi, kihon geiko, uchi-komu geiko and kakari-geiko, this part of the practice focused on the role of motodachi, Sensei gave a detailed explanation and demonstration of motodachi's role for training, with both beginner and
experienced kendoka a lot of emphasis was placed on the importance of ma-ai.

The final part of the seminar ended with mawaari-geiko, with every one having a chance to practice with sensei. I am sure that many kendoka that attended the seminar like myself, found the seminar of extreme value toward developing their Kendo skills and that of future kendo students.

Kashi-no-ki kenyu kai would like to thank all whom attended the seminar, and thank Nagao Sensei for giving his time to visit Kashi-no-ki kenyu kai. We wish him every success with his future research.

24th November 2003
Trevor Chapman

Instruction by Nagao sensei	Trevor Chapman and Nagao sensei	The assembled Kendoka