United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu _Gennankai

30th Anniversary Enbu Taikai Report

A report on the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai 30th Anniversary Enbu Taikai and Visit to Michigan by 15th Generation Soke Tsumaki Kazuo (Genwa).

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai held an Enbu Taikai (Demonstration Tournament) to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the first officially commissioned foreign branch of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu in the school's 429 year-old history.

This Event was held at the East Lansing, Michigan, Hannah Community Center and featured a series of four Enbu (Demonstrations) by the members of the US Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai and one by the 15th generation Soke (Headmaster) of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Tsumaki Kazuo (Genwa). There was also a Shigin (Poetry) Recitation of “A Poem in Praise of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu” as well as an Inkashiki (Presentation of Certificates of Rank) by Tsumaki Soke. The Event concluded with a round of Sanbon Jime; a ceremony used at the last group gathering of the Gennankai for the year.

In addition to the 15th generation Soke of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu, the Gennankai was honored to have the current Consul General of Japan, the Honorable Hajime Kishimori; the Mayor of East Lansing, the Honorable Erik Altmann; the Mayor of Lansing, the Honorable Andrew Schor and the current Visiting Representative from Michigan's Sister State of Shiga Prefecture, Ms. Keiko Nakajima-sama. These VIPs are the successors of the same Dignitaries who were present at the original Opening Ceremony of the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Michigan Honbu (Headquarter) Dojo 30 years ago!

Prior to the Enbu Taikai on September 20, Soke Sensei conducted three separate sessions of Keiko (Training) on September 17, 18 and 19. These were training sessions focused primarily on rehearsals for the Enbu Taikai but also included Shinsa (Testing) as well as an intensive “Q & A” period and review of the basics of Reishiki (Etiquette) and Kihon Waza (Basic Techniques).

Shinsa conducted by Soke Sensei were as follows: Ikkyu (First Grade) - Peter Samurkas-san; Yondan (Fourth Degree)-Kanako Taku-san and Nanadan (7th Degree) - Scott Sier (Genfu) Sensei. Gennankai Dai-Sempai William Smith (Genka) Sensei was also elevated to the level of Jokyo (Assistant Professor). Everyone performed splendidly and received their Menjo (Certificates of Advancement) at the Enbu Taikai on Sunday!

See the Photo Gallery with pictures from the Enbu Taikai and the previous two days of Keiko (Training) and Shinsa (Testing) with Soke Sensei.

Following the Enbu Taikai, a Reception for the VIPs and Gennankai members was held at the home of Dianne Alexanian (Genan Kouga) Sensei and Michael Alexanian (Gennan Buhaku) Sensei. Fortunately, the weather cleared up and everyone was able to enjoy lots of good food and drink outside in the gardens and reminisce about the events of the week. Also present at the Reception were Ms. Cathy Benson and Ms. Sue Fierro; good friends of Dianne's who were instrumental in so many of the preparations for the food that was served that day, and Mr. Wm. Malcolm Fowlkes, IV (“Gator”), Owner of the Gator Bait Premium BBQ Sauce Company which provided the sauce used for the Pulled Pork Sliders that were served to the guests by Cathy and Sue. We thank these very special friends for helping to make the Reception so successful! Special thanks as well to Cathy Jarrett and Michele Hufnagel who created the special desserts and “cheesy potatoes” that were served at the Reception and Soke Sensei's Birthday Dinner.

Finally, Soke Sensei was presented with a hardcover copy of the new book created by William Smith (Genka) Sensei commemorating the 30 year history of the US Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Gennankai and all the members present received a commemorative “Tenugui” (Hand Towel) created in Japan especially for the 30th Anniversary Celebration. All six of our Nanadan (7th Degree) members also received a special “Reminder Coin” from Gennan Buhaku Sensei to carry with them at all times and remind them daily of their commitment to the Code of Bushido.

In closing, with 30 years behind us and our 31st year just beginning, we look forward to having new opportunities to present the art of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu to the public at various cultural events and growing our membership so that the Intangible Cultural Asset of Tamiya Ryu iaijutsu will continue to be available in the United States for another 30 years and many, many more!

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.

Student Views

For our thirtieth anniversary, we asked our students to share their views on Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu. Peter Samurkas san (Ikkyu) shares his view of Tamiya Ryu, having just begun his journey in the art.

The Gennankai's Daisenpai (most senior student), William Smith (Genka, Nanadan) shares what how he has come to see his practice after so many years training in Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu.