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Thanks to the seminar I learned a lot about koryu and protocol! And if I have to summarize it in one word that word might be GREAT! Mario thanks a lot for this seminar and see you soon!
Mohamed Ahssaine
Jinenkan New York Workshop taught by Mario De Mol
INTENSE is the best way I can describe in one word the way Mario Sensei teaches! This work-shop on Togakure Bikenjutsu and Koto Ryu Shoden Gata would prove to be as brutal as promised. First day of training commenced in Central Park, NY on a hot Saturday afternoon. Mario Sensei drilled us with dozens of cuts from the Togakure Ryu up and down the park. After a good warm up we jumped into the Kata and the attention to detail was unreal. I have never experienced such commitment to the proper technique and done with such spirit every time. It was refreshing to see such skill level among such humble martial artist.
Second day of training began Sunday morning in the Kouseigogi Dojo in Mahopac,NY. It was a day I will never forget in all of my Budo training. Koto Ryu was the subject of the day and the Ura of the kata seemed to be essence o f what was being taught. The demonstration of the kata was amazing! All of Mr. Adam Mitchell’s senior students showed exactly why the Jinenkan is so strong with its understanding of the basics and ability to receive attacks. Mario Sensei drilled us in the ground as we all dripped with sweat as the dojo felt like a sauna. The spirit and sincerity in every kata was evident and as Mario Sensei put it best I believe “everyone’s cup was full and pouring over”.
I must say that the main thing I left with in my heart was humility. Mario Sensei was so kind with his advice and yet so intense on the floor he certainly fulfilled to me what I think of a Budo Sensei. This is certainly what I strive to be in martial arts. I look forward to many years to come training in the Jinenkan. I have always stressed over the years that Budo training is about the journey and not a prescribed destination and every time I have training experiences like this it is validated. To start over in something as pure and honest as the way Unsui Sensei has transmitted his Kobudo to his Dojo-Cho of the Jinenkan is such an honor.
Thank you to all the Jinenkan Dojo-Cho and the students that made this seminar such a great experience!
Marshall Brown, Kouseigogi Shibu Dojo
5-28-10
By Brett Wiesner
Ik Kyu
Jinenkan Inazuma Dojo - Tanren Shibu Dojo Boston
It was a gorgeous weekend for Budo when Mario De Mol, Dojo Cho of the Jinenkan Kounryusui Dojo came to NY. Adam Mitchell, Dojo Cho of the Jinenkan Kousigogi Dojo in New York had once again brought a talented instructor from far away to come teach us in NY. Thanks again Adam for organizing yet another great seminar!
Over the weekend, many people would be in attendance. Obviously Adam Mitchell and his students were there, including Peter Milano and the Newport shibu. Another one of Adam’s shibu was there also. Marshall Brown and several of his students came all the way from Virginia for this! Chad Flakker, Dojo Cho of the Jinenkan Gouken Dojo and some of its representatives made it up from Pennsalvania. Evan London, Dojo Cho of the Jinenkan Inazuma Dojo of Connecticut was there, and of course I and the rest of the Boston crew (Jinenkan Inazuma Dojo, Tanren Shibu Dojo Boston) were in attendance as well.
Friday night Mario taught the part of the Tai No Kata from Takagi Yoshin Ryu, that Sensei taught at the Rome seminar in April. As all of Mario’s classes do, this one began with lots and lots of kihon. Many repetitions of various kaiten from Za Gamae, daken from Za Gamae, shiko and then more shiko. It started out intense and never let up. If you’ve ever trained with Mario then you know this was not easy or relaxing training. Then we moved on to the Tai No Kata, starting with Echigo Kuzushi. There’s something about Tomoe Nage that just cranks the intensity way up. Maybe that’s because you can’t do that throw sheepishly. One hakama was torn and one keikogi sleeve was ripped off during this training. Luckily (and in spite of the intensity), no injuries other than some scraped knees from shiko occurred. In three hours we covered only Echigo Kuzushi, Kasagi, and Tatsu Otoshi. The class ended with Jinen Ryu Iai Shiho Giri. Mario explained how Sensei has been training this a lot at the honbu and therefore we should be training it as well. I was surprised at how precise Mario’s movements were during his demonstration of Shiho Giri. I don’t know but maybe that precision is what is gained by studying Shiho Giri? After Brain V. took his Ni Dan test. Brian is roughly Sensei’s age and served several tours in Vietnam. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for a few years now and his stories illustrate the courage of a warrior, the duty of a soldier, the value of life and the suddenness of the end. Brian is Budo. Congratulations for acquiring Ni Dan Brian!
On Saturday we head into NYC and in the morning we took Mario to the New York Police Department Museum. There were some interesting artifacts there including old batons, old badges, and even an early 1900’s self defense manual (turned to a page describing how to get out of a bear hug). The top floor of the museum was devoted to the September 11th attacks on the US and contained some recovered objects carried by our fallen heroes.
After the museum we went to New York City’s Central Park where our spirits were immediately. Saturday was a beautiful day; absolutely perfect. Mid 70’s, no humidity, sunshine… There was no better place to be than training Central Park. Mario taught Togakure Ryu Bikenjutsu for five hours, with 5 minute breaks only for note taking. We started off with Kihon Toho. Then more kihon toho. Then kihon toho backwards. Then left handed. Then left handed and backwards. Mario was going so fast that even if my body knew the movements I couldn’t keep up. That guy is an animal. We covered Muso No Ken, Da-Kai no Ken, Issen Ken, and Raiko no Ken. We had quite the audience as well. Adam had mentioned that Sensei was very excited to hear there was going to be a seminar in NYC. I’m sure Sensei would have loved this. It was an incredible day to be alive and to be training. And afterward there just happened to be an Irish pub not to far away.
On Sunday we were back at the Kousigogi in Mahopac. Mario taught the Shoden level Ura Gata from Koto Ryu Koppojustu. I didn’t even know there was ura gata until the Texas seminar and many of us were excited to see it. In six hours we only covered Yokuto, O-gyaku, Ko-yoku, Shi-to and Ho Soku. That’s another great thing about training with Mario. He spends a lot of time on each technique really pointing out its subtleties and finer points. He’s like a Budo surgeon, carefully dissecting each movement.
Sitting down to write this article I was not sure what I was going to say. One hundred pages later I realize I probably said too much. If you only take away one thing from this article, let it be that should you be presented with an opportunity to train with Mario De Mol, do not pass that up. We are all very lucky to have Mario studying Sensei’s art so hard not only for himself but so that he can help Sensei transmit it to us. Thank you Mario. (And if you take away another thing, it’s that weekend trips to NY with your training buddies are a *really* good time! Thanks everyone!)
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