The first session began with Kendo basics such as Kiri Kaeshi, Men, Kote, Do, and Kote-Men. Ohmi Sensei's focus was on big motions and centering your strike. Then, we moved on to Nuki Waza, Kaeshi Waza, Debana Waza and Uchiotoshi Waza. Lastly, we all did Ji-Geiko.

The second session was an Iaido seminar for advanced Iaidoka. We had two local Iaidoka, Karen and Micheal, who qualified for this as well as Bill Anderson from Fredericton, N.B. who travelled here for the seminar. Karen and Bill also had a separate Iai session with Ohmi Sensei giving them a total of six hours of Iai practice in one day!! Many of the HKC members came to watch the seminar and, to put it mildly, were quite stunned. The Iai was simply spectacular.

Ohmi Sensei leads Karen and Bill through a practice of the basic Iai forms.

Here are some movies of the Iai forms from the advanced seminar. The forms are listed in the order in which an Iaidoka would perform them.

• Kesa Giri, 5th form
• Morote Tsuki, 6th form
• Gammen Ate, 8th form

• Shiho Giri, 10th form
• So Giri, 11th form

Here is a movie of Ohmi Sensei performing various Iaido forms. These forms are make up the routine that he is currently studying in preparation for his Iaido Hachi Dan exam. If I understand correctly, he needs to have the entire series completed in about 6 minutes. Ohmi Sensei says that these are called Koryu, which means "old style". The final form demonstrated by Ohmi Sensei is one used against TEN OPPONENTS!!

• Ohmi Sensei's Koryu

The movie is quite large at 43Mb, but its well worth the download!

The forms demonstrated here by Ohmi Sensei and the Ryu from which they belong are (in proper order):

• Mae - Omori Ryu.
• Tsuki Komi - Omori Ryu.
• Oroshi - Eishin Ryu.
• To Zume - Oku Iai Tate Hiza.
• Ryo Zume - Oku Iai Tate Hiza.
• Yuki Chigai - Oku Iai Tachi Waza.
• Uke Nagashi - Oku Iai Tachi Waza.
• Haya Nuki - All Eishin Ryu waza as a long sequence.

The third session was another Kendo session. Ohmi Sensei focused on basic form and formality for about one hour. Topics covered were: Proper Seiza, Sonkyo, Kamae-to, Osame-to, construction and orientation of the Shinai, Shizentai (standing posture), Ritsu-Rei, Za-Rei, and proper wearing of the Hakama and Keiko-Gi . Some of the historical signifigance of each of these were discussed, and how some of them are being changed in modern day Kendo.

Next, Ohmi Sensei discussed: Kamae, footwork, and posture during your strike while enforcing their relation to "center" with respect to Kendo. Basic Men Uchi, Kiri Kaeshi, Debana Waza, Nuki Waza, Suriage Waza and Harai Waza were practiced while keeping these points in mind. Ohmi Sensei elected me as the "Hitting Dummy" for the next hour for this part of the seminar. Over the next hour, Ohmi Sensei made it a point to make comments to Steve on how to better correct errors in students as well as what to watch out for...in essence a mini-seminar on how to be a better Sempai. How cool is that?

Ohmi Sensei demonstrates how to hit Men while focusing on "Center".

Ohmi Sensei's "Words of Wisdom": No! Hit the Men! Center! Try again...

Ohmi Sensei demonstrates how to perform proper Kote, Suriage-Men Waza

Ohmi Sensei's "Words of Wisdom": No! Hit Harder! Center! Try again...

Ryan Practices Kiri Kaeshi.

Sean practices Kiri Kaeshi.

Jason practices Kiri Kaeshi

In the final portion of the seminar, Ohmi Sensei did Ji-Geiko and Ippon Shobu with Steve for the last 10-15 minutes. The session started with some Kiri-Kaeshi, and then moved on to the Keiko.

• Steve's Kiri Kaeshi.
• Steve and Ohmi in Ai-Jodan.
• Steve scores De-Kote.

• Kote (Steve) or Men Uchi (Ohmi).
  ...I think its a Kote hit! ;-)
• Tsuki Uschiotoshi Men (Steve).

The HKC thanks Ohmi Sensei for all of his help and patience, and looks forward to his next visit!