The
Maltese delegation had the rare opportunity to train in the
authentic Koryu (old style /ancient lineage) of Jujutsu and Iaijutsu
namely:
- Shinden Ryu Jujutsu under Kuwahara Hanshi, Kitano Hanshi, Koshima Shihan.
- Yanagi Ryu Jujutsu under Kawamura Hanshi, Takeda Hanshi and their assistants.
- Shibukawa Ichi Ryu under Kurumaji Hanshi and his assistants.
- Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu under Kinoshita Hanshi and her assistants.
Amongst
the many warm exchanges that took place between the participating
nations, the Renshi Brothers received honorable comments from
Kurumaji Hanshi of Shibukawa Ichi Ryu Jujutsu, who also presented
them with handmade sake cups engraved with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
crest and Shibukawa Ryu Jujutsu Kanji. Hanshi Kurumaji is a rare and
elite Koryu Jujutsu master whose skill and combat body condition are
of outstanding caliber.
The Maltese team, led by the Renshi Brothers, demonstrated on both
the major occasions for this event. On April 29th,
throughout the Fourth World Butoku Sai / 50th Japan
Butoku Sai, the Maltese team demonstrated its skill in Jujutsu on
the hard wooden floor of the Butoku Den in front of the Japanese
Honbu leaders with all their merits and legacies. Throughout the
demonstrations, Brothers Bajada Renshi executed their Jujutsu
techniques with lightning speed which were followed by
Bojutsu
and Hojojutsu. On April 30th, the Renshi Brothers Bajada
and their students demonstrated in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu
and again in Jujutsu for the second main event, the International
Rensei Taikai.
Amongst the honors and awards achieved, Classical Budo Malta was
twice presented with the highest awards for the occasions in both
events ‘Dantai Yushu Sho’ Outstanding team Award. During the
official presentation Dr. Hiroyuki Tesshin
Hamada Hanshi explained that the
eagle standing on the World, as depicted on the awards, is meant to
symbolize
the strength of the Dojo receiving this award. Antoine Portelli, the
highest graded student by the Renshi
brothers within this team, was also honored with the
Doryoku
Sho.
At the official closing ceremony, Christian Bajada Renshi was one of the chosen leaders to deliver a speech, which allowed him to express gratitude for the priceless opportunity to train with the Japanese Koryu Masters. Dr. Hamada Hanshi then awarded each of the chosen leaders with a golden color shovel that had been used earlier in a special ceremony by the Honbu leaders to plant cherry blossom trees in the Butoku Den grounds, an act of commemoration in honor of the 50th anniversary of the event. This, as Dr. Hamada Hanshi himself proclaimed, was meant to symbolize the leaders of the present planting strong trees to flourish with the leaders of the future.
Kuwahara Hanshi, President of the Honbu board presented all the international leaders with a beautiful tsuba with the design that was used by the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. His Excellency Higashi Fushimi Jigo gifted to all those present for the occasion a fine traditional Japanese fan embellished with calligraphic inscriptions. Vice president Nakada Hanshi, amongst others, also gifted the members present with precious commemorative ornaments.
