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The American Martial Arts Institute is also home to a traditional iaido style, Takenouchi Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall. The style is under the direction of Headmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr. Headmaster Crandall's certified position and title were bestowed by his Instructor, Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno during a traditional ceremony in Japan in June 2002. Headmaster Crandall has trained with the sword for over 20 years. The passing away of Headmaster Matsuno in February of 2005 has made Headmaster Crandall the head of this 300 year old traditional samurai iaido style in the world.

Headmaster Crandall has committed himself to carry on his instructor's last wishes to promote and keep alive the samurai iaido philosophies and traditions. Headmaster Crandall says this is an art that becomes a mirror of your life and is designed for mature men and women. A love of life is essential to the grasping of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall school. Headmaster Crandall is also the Grandmaster of the American Martial Arts Institute, which teaches American Eagle Style empty-hand martial arts.

Headmaster Crandall’s Path in Iaido

I began training with Headmaster Matsuno in 1985 and had him on my T.V. show in 1987.  My show was called the Martial Arts Today Show and aired on WKTV, an NBC affiliate, for 10 years.                     

I trained continuously with Headmaster Matsuno during this period, learning the ways of the samurai in life as well as in the way of the sword.  I found this period exciting and truly enlightening.  In June 1997, I was promoted to Kyoshi and presented with my handwritten certificate prepared by Headmaster Matsuno himself, which also contained his personal chop as well as the Japanese federation chop.  Color copies of this certificate hang in all of the American Martial Arts Institute’s training halls.

At one of the many seminars Headmaster Matsuno performed for my Iaido students, he gave them all copies of his books.  These included the books he translated as well as the two that he wrote himself.

In 2001 Action Martial Arts Magazine produced a deck of martial arts trading cards.  I was one of the Grandmasters included in this deck and I made arrangements with Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno for him to be included and recognized as well.  With his help a beautiful trading card was released with his picture and bio which pleased both of us.

In June 2002, I traveled to Headmaster Matsuno’s home in Kobe with 15 of my top Iaido students. During our days in Kobe, my students and I spent all day training with Headmaster Matsuno and studying Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu. 

At this time he prepared me as his successor and discussed what he wished done regarding the future of the tradition of his style as passed on to him by Masayoshi Nakajima, the late 5th Headmaster of the original Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu.  He also instructed me in three additional katas that he had never passed on to any of his prior students in Iaido, including his personal method for the cutting ceremony of our style.  A passing of the sword ceremony took place wherein Headmaster Matsuno promoted me to Headmaster (Hanshi) and declared me as his successor to the Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno style of Iaido. 

This ceremony was videotaped with the intent of making a VHS documentary for current and future Iaido students to have in order to see this historical moment in their Iaido style. 

In 2004 a documentary was produced and aired to the public on WKTV an NBC affiliate, concerning the passing of the sword ceremony and Headmaster Crandall’s promotion.  VHS copies of the show were made and are still available to my students and the general public.

On June 1, 2004 Headmaster Matsuno presented me with my certificate of Headmaster Takenouchi-Hanganryu-Matsuno-Crandall.  This certificate was handwritten and signed by Headmaster Matsuno, and included his personal chop and the Japanese Federation chop.  Even though I was now Hanshi and his designated successor I was fortunate to continue learning from this great man.  Color copies of this certificate hang in the training halls of the American Martial Arts Institute.

In November 2004 Headmaster Matsuno contacted me; he was very excited to inform me that he had found a true Iaido sword for me that he felt was fitting of my position.  I felt very fortunate that Headmaster Matsuno had found me a traditional sword for my training.  Through him I received my Iaido sword which was crafted by Master Swordsmith Shigeru So who lived in Fukuoka, the county of Kyushu in southern Japan.  This sword was honored by winning “The Great Prize” by Mainichi Newspaper Co.

In February 2008 Headmaster Matsuno’s wife, Masako, presented me with Headmaster Matsuno’s 12th-century training sword with the help of Nobuko, Headmaster Matsuno’s daughter.
 
My correspondence with Masako continues to date through the help and translation of her daughter, Nobuko.  I stay in close contact with Headmaster Matsuno’s family to reassure them that Headmaster Matsuno’s wishes regarding the continuation of his traditional Iaido style stay true to his vision.

Headmaster Matsuno’s family have also assisted with segments of the new book which will be released this February 2009 on Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall.

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Headmaster Crandall holding the handwritten Headmaster certificate presented to him June 1, 2004, making him the sole heir and successor of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Mastuno-Crandall for the world by the late
Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno.

A Close-Up of the Certification.

The following pictures depict Headmaster Crandall presenting the 12th Century Iaido sword which was passed on to Headmaster Matsuno by Headmaster Masayoshi Nakajima Ryusho-sai, the 5th Headmaster of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu.  Headmaster Matsuno used this sword during his practice training. 

Headmaster Matsuno’s wife, Masako, passed this traditional sword on to Headmaster Crandall when he inherited the
Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Style of Iaido.


Headmaster Crandall presenting the sword in its
original cover with gold tassels.


Headmaster Crandall and a side view of this
900 year-old sword.

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