“The way should be like the untouchable moon that is clearly seen reflected by the water.”
– Toga Jikkyo Kan Morimasa
Kogetsukai is the only group in Chicagoland to train Zen Ken Ren (Seitei) Iaido and Jodo, Shinto Muso-ryu, Atarashii Naginata, Tendo-ryu Naginatajutsu and Jikishin Kage-ryu Hojo. We use the word Kogetsu which is derived from the moon shining over Lake Michigan – Moon Lake 湖月. Our vision is to build a community of like minded individuals’ who have a desire and dedication to study traditional Japanese martial arts. We are a martial arts group that donates 100% of all its proceeds towards the not-for-profit organization Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple.
BENEFITS OF TRAINING
Jodo, Naginata and Kenjutsu can be enjoyed by men and women, from the youngest grade–schooler to the oldest senior citizen. The benefits derived from training affect many aspects of a persons everyday life.
These include:
- Speed and agility
- Precision and timing
- Self-confidence
- Comradeship
- Self-control and well-being
- Inner peace and calm
- Harmony of mind and body
- Fitness
- Self-discipline and positive attitude
NISSHOKU JODO
Seitei Jodo (ZNKR) & Shinto Muso-ryu
We train in the art of Jodo, “the way of the wooden staff”.
The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Jodo system contains twelve staff forms (kata) against a swordsman using a bokuto (wooden sword). There are twelve additional basic techniques (kihon) and are taught both individually (tandoku dosa) and in pairs (sotai dosa).
As a student develops, they can move into the koryu (old style) techniques of the Shinto Muso-ryu tradition. Which includes the 64 kata as well as the Fuzoku Ryuha (Assimilated Schools), Isshin-ryu Kusarigamajutsu, Ikkaku-ryu Juttejutsu, Uchida-ryu Tanjōjutsu and Kasumi Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu.
FUDOSHIN KENKYU KAI
Zen Ken Ren (Seitei Iaido) & Kenjutsu
We train in the art of drawing and training with the Japanese sword.
Iaido emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks. Iaido consists of four main components: the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard (or saya), striking or cutting an opponent, shaking blood from the blade, and replacing the sword in the scabbard.
Kenjutsu, swordsmanship consists of many different aspects, including formal techniques, practical techniques, and conditioning drills. Unlike iaido, kenjutsu usually focuses more on swordplay after the sword has been drawn.
Fudoshin Kenkyu Kai is a member of the Midwest Kendo Federation and All United States Kendo Federation for Seitei Iaido. We are overseen by Peter Boylan Sensei of the Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai.
CHICAGO NAGINATA KAI
Atarashii & Tendo-ryu Naginata
We train in the art of the naginata, traditionally a pole arm that has a Japanese sword blade mounted on a long handle.
One of the styles we practice is the modern (gendai) form called Atarashii Naginata “new Naginata”. It employs the use of a bamboo and oak naginata for practice & competition. Majority of training is dedicated to Engi (forms) and shiai (matches) wearing armor (bogu). Bogu is not required until a certain level of proficiency is demonstrated.
The second school is the classical (koryu) art of Tendo-ryu naginatajutsu. Tendo-ryu the “School of the Way to Heaven” dates back to the late 1500s.
CLASS SCHEDULE, COST & LOCATION
START YOUR FREE INTRO CLASS TODAY
NISSHOKU JODO
Seitei Jodo & Shinto Muso-ryu
Thursdays 9:30 – 10:15 pm
$40 a month
or
$80 a month for all three arts
FUDOSHIN KENKYU KAI
Zen Ken Ren Iaido & Kenjutsu
Sundays 3:45 – 5:15 pm
Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 pm
$40 a month
or
$80 a month for all three arts
CHICAGO NAGINATA KAI
Atarashii & Tendo-ryu
Thursdays 10:15 – 11:00 pm
$40 a month
or
$80 a month for all three arts
ZEN PRACTICE
DAIYUZENJI CHICAGO RINZAI ZEN TEMPLE
Zazen (seated meditation) & Hojo (sword forms)
Thursdays 7:00 – 7:45 pm (zazen)
Thursdays 7:45 – 8:30 pm (Hojo)
