Recently local martial artists from the American Martial Arts Institute flew to Costa Mesa, California by invitation to compete in the 9th annual Batto-do/Iai-do Championships hosted by martial arts legend, Master Fumio Demura (visit Master Demura's Website here).  Batto-do is the art of cutting tatami (straw) mats that have been soaked in water for several days with a sharp sword.  The wet mats simulate the resistance of a human body, and the cuts are performed using precise techniques at specific angles. This martial art is similar to iaido where a sword is drawn in pre-arranged forms and practiced without actual cutting. Both Batto-do and iaido have their own distinct forms that challenge the practitioner to increase their skill and strength.

The team, comprised of seven men and women, was led by Headmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr.  Headmaster Crandall is the head and founder of the American Martial Arts Institute, whose central office is located at 8382 Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford. The students he led to California were from his iaido style: Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall, a 300-year old samurai sword style.  The seven sword practitioners are also black belt instructors in American Eagle Style under Grandmaster Crandall: Renshi Nathan Morris, Mr. Eric Stalloch, Mrs. Cheryl Freleigh, Miss Linda Möller, Mrs. Gisella Stalloch, and Miss Amanda Peterson.

This year two members of Headmaster Crandall’s team won medals (see results here).  Mrs. Gisella Stalloch, an environmental chemist and fourth degree black belt instructor, took 3rd place in her Batto kata division.  Miss Linda Möller, a training specialist with Columbia County ARC, took 2nd place in her Iaido kata division.  The competition was judged by Japanese sword masters who had flown in from Japan for the event, among them Master Sato and Master Unoe.  The divisions included some of the top sword competitors in the world.  The competition was by elimination, with Mrs. Stalloch and Miss Möller demonstrating their skills in several rounds.

The competition was organized and hosted by Master Fumio Demura, a 9th-degree black belt who introduced Shito-Ryu Karate to the USA in 1965. He also introduced Okinawa Kobudo: Sai, Nunchuku, Bo, Tonfa and Kama.  Master Demura serves as director and Chief Instructor for the Shito-Ryu Genbu-Kai International, an organization encompassing nearly twenty nations and thousands of members.  In 1977 he appeared in his first movie, The Island of Dr. Moreau. Many films followed such as Karate Kid I, II, and III, where he was the stunt double for Pat Morita's character 'Miyagi'.

The night before the competition the Iaido team members participated in batto-do kata seminars taught by the Japanese sword masters that had flown in from Japan as guests of Master Demura. The team also attended Master Demura's formal ceremonal banquet on Saturday evening. This event was held in celebration and recognition of Master Demura's 45 years of teaching martial arts in the United States. On Sunday, Master Demura hosted a competition for the students of his empty-hand style, and the Iaido team was there as spectator guests, witnessing some of the finest Japanese stylists demonstrate their skills. The demonstrations at this event included a self-defense exhibition by Master Demura himself and advanced sword cutting by Master Sato and other Japanese Masters.

The Iaido team at Master Demura's 45th Anniversary Banquet

Late Sunday afternoon Headmaster Crandall brought his team to see Master Demura's main training location in Costa Mesa. While there the team was given a tour of the training hall by Master Sato. The group had a chance to get a photograph taken by Headmaster Crandall in front of Master Demura's dojo with Master Sato.

Group Picture with Master Sato taken by Headmaster Crandall in front of Master Demura's dojo

On Monday, Master Demura invited Headmaster Crandall, and Headmaster Crandall's iaido students, to train at his dojo. This was a closed training session with some of Master Demura's senior students and the guest Masters from Japan. Headmaster Crandall is the head of Takenochi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno Crandall Iaido. The title of Headmaster was passed to him in a ceremonial sword-passing ceremony in Kobe, Japan in 2002 by Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matusno. Headmaster Matsuno passed away in 2005, making Grandmaster Crandall the Headmaster of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido for the world. A year later, Master Fumio Demura, who had been a good friend of Headmaster Crandall for more than 25 years, wrote a letter to Headmaster Crandall, inviting him to become one of his students in the area of Batto-Do (in the Preservation Society of Toyama-Ryu). After some thoughtful consideration, Headmaster Crandall accepted this responsibility and great opportunity. As one of Master Demura's students, Headmaster Crandall was invited to bring his iaido team to train in at Master Demura's dojo, as well. The training session lasted 2 1/2 hours under the guest instruction of the Japansese Masters and included batto katas and cutting. It was an exciting experience for Headmaster Crandall, made possible by his Batto instructor Master Demura. A group picture was taken to commemorate the event.

Group Picture inside Master Demura's Dojo after training session.
Master Demura is pictured in the front row, centered with the white uniform (5th from the left).

During the trip the team also had time for additional training and sight-seeing. Some of the training including meeting up with Grandmaster Shuey, the head of Cane Masters International Association and the American Cane System. The American Cane System is taught at the main location of the American Martial Arts Institute by Mr. Eric Stalloch who is a certified Cane Master under Grandmaster Crandall's supervision. Mr. Stalloch was one of the iaido team members, as well. The sight seeing included a brief trip to Disneyland where a group picture was taken. The team also made it down to the San Diego zoo for an afternoon.

Group Picture taken at Disneyland. Back Row (left to right): Amanda Peterson, Renshi Nathan Morris, Headmaster Crandall, Eric Stalloch, Melissa Morris. Front Row (left to right): Linda Möller, Cheryl Freleigh, Gisella Stalloch

With the team now home, they continue to train under Headmaster Crandall in Iaido and Batto, and they are sharing their excitement with their families, students, friends, and community. Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido is taught at the main location of the American Martial Arts Institute. For more information contact the main location.