TRADITIONAL SAMURAI SWORD
Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido/Batto-do
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.
VIRTUAL DEMO 2: Sword & Cane
IAIDO
NEW STUDENTS
Prerequisites for participation are :
1. You must be 18 years of age, and
2. You must own a bokudo and a hakima before the first class.
Within the first few months, it is also necessary for you to acquire white Iaido tabi shoes.
You do not have to be a student of American Eagle Style, and you cannot be a current
registered participant of any other empty-hand or weapons martial arts style.
In this traditional style of Iaido, there is no belt ranking, but there are levels of progression and titles.
Following in the traditional beliefs of Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno and his predecessors, students are identified by categories, depending upon their physical skill, mental knowledge, and personal dedication. Headmaster Crandall has clarified these as follows: beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate, and advanced students. These are followed by the titles of Tashi, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. Learn more here.
Students have the opportunity to advance from each level by performing their skills and knowledge at the request of Headmaster Crandall. This style has twelve primary katas, as well as ceremonial katas and a separate ceremonial cutting kata.
Registration
Registration in Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall School of Iaido is broken into 6 and 12-month periods. It is not based on the number of classes. This registration allows you to attend in that 6 month or yearly period all regular classes that may take place as well as allowing you to register for any
special Iaido seminars or events.
Late Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno
With the unexpected passing of his instructor, Masayoshi Nakajima Ryusho-sai, the 5th Headmaster of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu, Tsuneyoshi Matsuno found himself to one of five individuals in the postion to carry on a 300-year old tradition of iaido. Out of the five, he and two others chose the challenging road of keeping this art alive and growing. With three branches now, each added their name to the school name and worked to maintain its traditions and values. The Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno branch gained world recognition as Headmaster Matsuno had committed to seek out the flickering candleight of the samurai in as many countries as fossible. He became the emissary for the Japanese Federation for this form of Iaido. LEARN MORE.
Batto-do demonstration by Headmaster Crandall and Kyoshi Morris for
the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event in Utica, NY 2017
