United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu _Gennankai

Celebrating 30 Years of Tradition

Like a solitary sentinel protecting an invaluable treasure, the Michigan Headquarters Dojo of the Tamiya School of Classical Japanese Swordsmanship (Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Michigan Honbu Dojo)/Shakunage Japanese Culture Center stands at one end of the traditional Japanese garden behind the home of DIanne and Michael Alexanian in the sleepy Glencairn neighborhood of East Lansing, Michigan.

For the last 30 years, over 250 men and women from the United States, Europe, Russia and Asia have come to this Dojo to study the techniques and philosophy of this 429 year-old martial art founded by Tamiya Heibei Narimasa in the early 17th century and passed down, through a succession of Headmasters (Soke), to the present day leadership of 15th Generation Soke Tsumaki Kazuo Genwa.

In March of 1996, Michael Alexanian (Gennan Buhaku) received a written commission from 14th Generation Soke Tsumaki Seirin Genshin to bring this classical Japanese martial art to America for the first time in the school’s 400 year history.

To that end, Michael Gennan Sensei and his wife, Dianne Genan Sensei, began the process of building the first United States Dojo for Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu and the greater Lansing area’s first Japanese Cultural Center at their home in the midst of a tranquil Japanese garden complete with a raked gravel meditation garden behind the Dojo.

With construction complete, on a warm and sunny September 20, 1996 various dignitaries including the Consul General of Japan, the Mayor of East Lansing, the Deputy Mayor of Lansing and the Assistant Headmaster of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu, along with other prominent community leaders and citizens gathered in front of the traditional Japanese gate (Tori) to officially dedicate and open the Dojo/Culture Center.

Assistant Headmaster Tsumaki Kazuo Genwa cut the ribbon stretched across the Torii and gave the first demonstration of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu in the new Dojo. There were also demonstrations of Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), how to properly dress in Kimono, and other aspects of traditional Japanese culture.

From that day forward and for the past 30 years, the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai has worked diligently and with a sense of true purpose to pass on this important element of classical Japanese culture to both young and old alike and to help realize the late 14th Generation Soke’s dream of making Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu available for study not only in Japan, but also internationally.

To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the founding of American Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu, an Enbukai (Demonstration Event) will be held on September 20, 2026, at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center East Gym from 1-3pm. This event is free and open to the general public and will feature Enbu (formal demonstrations) by 15th Generation Soke Tsumaki Kazuo Genwa, the Senior Teaching Staff, the Head Instructor and the members of the Gennankai. We will be inviting the current Consul General of Japan, the Mayors of Lansing and East Lansing and the Visiting Official from Michigan’s Sister State of Shiga Prefecture to attend and say a few words to commemorate the occasion just as they did 30 years ago.

We cordially invite you to attend this special event and experience a truly unique aspect of traditional Japanese culture not often seen by the general public.

Respectfully,

Michael Alexanian (Gennan Buhaku) 8th Degree
President
United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai

Promotion Announcement

As President of the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai, it is my great honor to announce that Gennankai Head Instructor, James Russell (Gennetsu) Sensei, has received his promotion to Nanadan (7th Degree).

Gennetsu Sensei took his Nanadan Shinsa (Examination) in Japan on Sunday, November 9, while participating in the Annual Genwakai Autumn Shinsakai and Enbukai and was formally promoted to Nanadan the following day by 15th Soke Tsumaki Kazuo Genwa. His Nanadan Shinsa also included a separate “Guidance Examination” which required him to explain the inner workings of several kata in great detail. Thanks to the superb translation efforts of several members of the Genwakai, Gennetsu Sensei was given permission to use English for this portion of his Shinsa in order to alleviate the need to use Japanese exclusively. Our deepest appreciation goes out to all the translators, including Higashiyama-san of the Kyoto Branch and Suwa-san of the Isehara Branch, for their translation contributions. To all of the members of the Genwakai I would like to say “Osewa ni narimashita” for taking such good care of Gennetsu Sensei during his time in Japan.

Please join me in congratulating Gennetsu Sensei on this important achievement. He has truly earned it!

Message from the Head Instructor

The Path is the Path. Encouragement to keep training, even when it seems like you've done this all before. That is the path and what emerges is Tamiya Beauty and Tamiya Nobility.

Reflecting Pool

Daniel Wung (Genkou) sensei asks the question, Is it possible to Age Gracefully in a martial art?