|
Nathan Scott has previously fulfilled the responsibilities of senior instructor for the Shinkendo/Aiki Buken/Toyama-ryu Honbu dojo, as well as an otomo (attendant/assistant) to Obata Toshishiro Sensei while teaching out of state for a number of years. Formal exposure to martial arts began at the age of 13 (1980) with the study of Judo, and continued with cross training in Aikikai Aikido and later with informal research of a variety of other arts. Over the years, Scott has trained in several other arts, including Northern Shaolin Long Fist Gung Fu under fourth generation master Ken Hui Sifu, and naginata under Helen Nakano Sensei.
After training extensively under Obata Toshishiro Sensei as a full time, direct disciple at his Honbu Dojo, Scott eventually became the senior student at the Honbu, and taught a Saturday Aikido class for a period of six years (2/1997 to 2/2003). In September of 1997, Scott founded the "Tsuki Kage Dojo" located in Hermosa Beach, Southern California, and assumed the position of Shibucho (Branch Director) and Dojocho (Chief Instructor). However, due to pressing work obligations, it became necessary to take a leave of absense from the ISF/AB/KTRR in March of 2005.
Currently, credentials include:
| Shinkendo | Toku-e rank; Kyoshi instructors license |
|---|---|
| Toyama-ryu | Rokudan rank |
| Aikido/Aikibujutsu | Godan rank; Kyoshi instructors license |
| Naginata | Sandan rank; SCNF Shoki-Cho (Executive Secretary) & USNF Riji (Member of the Board of Directors) |
 |
Kenji Oshidari is an assistant instructor, and has studied Shinkendo, Toyama-ryu and Aikibujutsu under Nathan Scott Sensei from 1999 to 2006, previously acting in the capacity of Shibucho (Branch Director) and primary instructor of "Tsuki Kage Dojo." At a young age, Kenji received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do but decided to follow other interests through high school and college. It would not be until after graduating from UCLA and taking part in the working world for a couple of years, that Kenji would meet Nathan Scott Sensei and begin his own study of Japanese budo.
To Mr. Oshidari, budo has now become a life-long pursuit of self realization, source of historical perspective on modern socio-political-economic dynamics, and a framework on which to base important life decisions as well as daily activities.
Currently, credentials include:
| Shinkendo | Hyaku-e rank; Shidoin instructors license |
|---|---|
| Toyama-ryu | Nikyu rank |
| Aikido/Aikibujutsu | Ikkyu rank |
 |
Brian Drake is an assistant instructor of "Tsuki Kage Dojo."
Currently, credentials include:
| Shinkendo | Kirigami rank; Kenshuin instructors license |
|---|---|
| Toyama-ryu | Sankyu rank |
| Aikido/Aikibujutsu | Nikyu rank |
In modern times, the various martial art ranking systems - in particular the Dan-i system - have become abused to the point of being almost without value. There is a common belief that rank indicates a proportionate level of skill of the recipient in a given art, but nowadays it is clear that this has become an inaccurate assumption more times than not. Rank these days seems to more accurately reflect the time in the art a person has, which is interestingly closer to the logic held in the classical systems that issue older-style densho (documents that reflect increasing levels of initiation). However, consideration towards time in an art can be somewhat flawed logic, since - for example - a person training five days a week will accumulate five times as much experience as a person training once a week in the same dojo - every week! Which student can be considered more serious, or more deserving of deeper levels of initiation? The one who enrolled first, or the one who trains five times more often every week?
There are of course other factors that are often considered in regards to rank promotions, such as a person's age, prior experience/ranking in another art (related or otherwise), social/professional position, contribution to the art, number of students they may have under them that are paying dues, etc. But the point is that skill and ability now represent only one of these ranking considerations in most arts, and apparently, is now held as the least important factor for the masses that now claim to be training for reasons of self-development.
Martial arts (budo) are physical, combative traditions by definition, with an historical significance and context that must be adhered to in order to continue being classified as "budo" (martial arts/ways). Self-development reflects one of many facets gained through the serious study of orthodox budo, which in turn uses physical combative/self-defense methods as its vehicle, again, by definition of the term "martial art". Martial arts used to be practical and effective out of necessity, but more and more people are attracted to the arts for other reasons, and do not place proper importance or respect on the physical forging, or, the physical & intellectual methodology. They often lack the desire for relentless, austere, self-training (shugyo), which IS in fact the "michi" (Way) of self-development for budo.
The Tsuki Kage dojo ("Moon Shadow" school) is a small, non-commercial martial arts group located in Hermosa Beach, California. The goal of the dojo is to provide an intensive, traditional training atmosphere in which like-minded serious students can forge their bodies, minds and spirits through the study of traditional Japanese budo. Instruction includes Shinkendo, a comprehensive style of swordsmanship; Toyama ryu, a set of sword forms once taught to the Imperial Japanese Army; and Aikibujutsu, a primarily empty handed self-defense method with a curriculum ranging from historical battle field techniques to the modern methods of Aikido, Edo Torimonojutsu (ancient arresting techniques), Tori-te, Te-hodoki, and various supplementary weapons. Ranks are earned through rigorous testing procedures on a bi-annual basis.
Sincere students are always welcome!
