“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 ZNKR Seitei Jodo, 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 individual’s 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. We believe in training with the six virtues of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, sincerity, and bravery.
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 (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.
Nisshoku Jodo is a member of the Midwest Kendo Federation and All United States Kendo Federation. We are overseen by Peter Boylan Sensei of the Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai.
CHICAGO NAGINATA CLUB
Atarashii & Tendo-ryu
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.
The Chicago Naginata Dojo is overseen by Takami Tanner Sensei of the Rocky Mountain Naginata Federation.
HOJO NO KATA @ DAIYUZENJI
Jikishinkage-ryu Hojo
We train in the Hojo no Kata, “Four Seasons” form of kenjutsu.
The Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu school dates back to the late 1500s. The Hojo no kata is composed of four stages which are named after the four seasons, spring (haru), summer (natsu), autumn (aki) and winter (fuyu). Each season has a respective pace, theme, footwork, breathing, kiai, and other features reminiscent of that season. Both the shidachi and the uchidachi use a heavier than usual bokuto (wooden sword).
We train in the line of Omori Sogen Roshi, who was a successor in the Tenryu-ji line of Rinzai Zen and scholar of the last Jikishinkage-ryu Kendo headmaster Yamada Jirokichi.
The Hojo study group is overseen by several Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen temple Roshi’s.
CLASS SCHEDULE, COST & LOCATION
NISSHOKU JODO
Seitei (ZNKR), Shinto Muso-ryu
Sundays 2:00 – 3:45 pm
Thursdays 8:45 – 10:00 pm
$40 a month
CHICAGO NAGINATA CLUB
Atarashii & Tendo-ryu
Sundays 4:00 – 5:45 pm
Thursdays 10:00 – 11:00 pm
$40 a month
HOJO NO KATA @ DAIYUZENJI
Jikishinkage-ryu Hojo
Thursdays Zazen 7:00 – 8:45 pm
Thursdays Hojo 8:45 – 10:00 pm
$20 a month
Location:
Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple 3717 N. Ravenswood Ave #112 Chicago, IL 60613
Kogetsukai gratefully accepts your tax-deductible donations for classes at Daiyuzenji (a not-for-profit organization). 100% of your contribution goes toward the continuing upkeep of Daiyuzenji temple.
