25 Nov

Clothing & Weapons

Here are helpful links for ordering do-gi (gi tops), hakama (pleated “trousers”), kaku obi (belts) and training weapons.

Option 1: Samurai Jujutsu gi is available at the dojo and the best option for a new student

Option 2: Iaido Gi top and Hakama Set is available at the dojo or from from e-bogu.com

Option 3: Shiromusashi Jacket (blue or white) or Modified Kimono Top is available at the dojo

* NOTE: If ordering kendo gi-top from e-bogu.com, we suggest ordering it using the sizing charts on their website as long as you are of thin build. If you are not thin, it’s safer to order the next size up! Secondly, all hakama should be ordered with longer himo (ties).

Belts and Footwear
We wear a sword-bearing “kaku obi”. A kaku obi is different from belts typically worn in iaido or other non-samurai arts. In winter we wear dojo footwear including tabi socks and tabi. You may choose any color kaku obi:
Kaku obi 
Kaku obi

Bokken (wooden training sword):
Nami ryu bokken are specific to our ryuha (school). Any bokken or training weapons other than the ones listed below will need to be cleared by the instructor for use in class.

Our dojo keeps extra training weapons of various types on-hand. This will also let you try out different weapon lengths and woods to discover the one you like best.

Choose from:
Ash Bokken, Hickory Bokken, or Ipe Bokken (Brazilian Hardwood)
Be sure to order a plastic sword guard (tsuba) with your bokken: Plastic Tsuba
Order the 30″ blade + 15″ handle if you are 5’10” or taller. Otherwise, order the 28″ version.

Bo-Tanto (wooden knife)
As practitioners of a samurai art, we always carry multiple weapons. The tanto is a mainstay of Nami ryu, and we carry a bo-tanto in addition to a bokken. Custom-made bo-tanto are also available for around $40 (please inquire)

Bo-Wakizashi (wooden short sword)
A wakizashi is optional for beginners.
Hickory bo-wakizashi or Ipe bo-wakisashi

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.

However, we are very cautious with the use of “live” weapons and thus beginners are not allowed to use them. Sharp weapons may be carries after much diligent study, and only with the head instructor’s approval.

Every Day Carry Tools 

Our dojo is located in a rural mountain area, and many of our members carry tools that help us in work and daily sustenance. The CRKT Heiho and CRKT Otanashi Noh Ken, designed by Williams sensei, are local dojo favorites. Most of us carry a “special forces” shovel , and good support pens in our vehicles for help when needed. A good office carry pen in a “gray man” carry bag is helpful as well. 

24 Nov

Quote from Donn Draeger book

“The modern bujutsu are well defined, highly pragmatic forms of self defense, both armed and unarmed, that have been skillfully adapted to meet contemporary needs by experts in the classical traditions. In contrast according to the author, the study of the modern budo – and especially the sports oriented forms of kendo, judo, and karate – is one both of adaptation …………..of the classical ideas.”
Back Cover of Modern Bujutsu & Budo

24 Nov

Tradition. Honor. Art. Protection. Updates…

https://www.facebook.com/sanrindojoSanrin Mountain Dojo is dedicated to the education, training, development, exploration, and mastery of the most sacred and ancient of traditions known to mankind and woman kind. Check our most recent updates on the right side of this page… also follow us on Facebook

This space – conventionally known as our blog – will present in written and sometimes video format, a place to explore, with words and dialogue what we physically practice on the mat and with each other.

We may explore the practical, the mystical, the conventional, the historical, the simple, the complex, the basic, the advanced. Whatever may serve to enhance and heighten our understanding of and physical mastery of what in our contemporary culture we call — Martial Arts.

You are welcome to contribute to our understanding, although your contributions will need to be approved.  If you wish to submit articles to our blog, please send to   seamus@cearnach.com

24 Nov

Location, Classes, Attire

Sanrin Dojo, Flagstaff Nami ryu Aiki Heiho is looking forward to developing a core of great martial artists, training in a dojo dedicated to Japanese martial arts and traditions. We are located in the Mountainaire neighborhood on forested property.

Please contact us to schedule a visit to one of our classes or to try out our program. An instructor is present 20 minutes before each class to answer your questions.

Classes incorporate all components of Aiki-jujutsu, kenjutsu and iaijutsu in addition to other classical samurai weapons. Each component is directly related to the other so we do not separate classes by discipline. Since we utilize principle-based learning, we also do not separate classes by “rank”. You may safely attend all of our classes no matter what your experience or ability.

Please wear plain clothes (shorts and t-shirt are fine) or an unmarked judo or karate gi for initial training.

No advance knowledge of a martial art is necessary. Our principles are often very different from other contemporary arts so even if you have prior training you’ll find that there are a lot of great concepts that may be new for your or presented in a different perspective.

Contact us today to watch or join a class.  1.760.445.8410