The Denton Dojo - MJER Iaido, Uechi Ryu Karate, Tomiki Ryu Aikido, SMR Jodo

Over the course of the last few days, members of The Dojo participated in this year's Beikoku Tendai Iaidokai Koushukai. Our students did very well during this intensive training weekend in Oklahoma City and represented us very well.

Congratulations are extended to the following students who have passed their rank exams.

Jeffrey Cox - Shodan
Noah Towers - Nidan
Dane Valnes - Nidan
Jack Bieler - Jun Hanshi
Charles Mahan - Jun Hanshi

Further congratulations are extended to Jeffrey, Noah, and Dane who were all singled out as having done an excellent job on their tests.

Special thanks are extended to Tanida-sensei and Chikamoto-sensei for their teaching and efforts on our behalf and to Melancon-sensei our director for the weekend and Smith-sensei for hosting the event.

It was also announced during the event that next year's koshukai will take place in Denton.

Thanks again to all who made this weekend possible.

Wow! Great weekend of Daito-ryu training with Max E. Burgess-sensei, yondan. Everyone was energized, excited and leveled-up. Our deepest thanks to Burgess-sensei for his excellent and open-hearted instruction, and appreciation for all the out of town guests who joined us for the weekend.

Condolences to Kim Taylor-sensei's family. Kim was one of the earliest pioneers of iaido in North America and was John Ray's first introduction to the iai community after returning home to the U.S. in 1990.

Congratulations to the Iaido and Jodo groups for presenting embu at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Japanese Garden) Fall Festival! Welcome to Dojo newcomers Mark, Todd, Jeff and Athena, and thanks to Natalie for coming all the way from Oklahoma!

A quick note. If you're coming down for Iaido this morning, be aware that there is a parade, and you may have to park a little bit away from the Dojo this morning. Leave a little extra time.

Welcome to a group from the Oklahoma City Iaido group led by Ed Smith-sensei for practice and an exam. Congratulations Mathew White-san.

Friends hosting one of the great living technical judoka...

We are hosting Bob Rea for a day and a half May 31 and June 1 at Mossy Creek Dojo. Cost is $20 for 1/2 day or all the sessions. Plan on coming to spend the day with us. It will be superfun. Bob is a very skilled judoka. Very close to fighting the empty jacket. He is technical and a good teacher.

We DO get out of the Dojo sometime... Thanks to my good friend Gregg Weber, here (Gregg and John) are enjoying a Texas Ranger baseball game.