The founders of Shintaido realized the world needed new approaches to conflict resolution, as they acknowledged many of the old ways were no longer useful. On August 6th and 9th, people around the world will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A small nonprofit organization in Worcester, MA, USA -The Center for Nonviolent Solutions is sponsoring and coordinating activities for disarmament advocates to make a significant impact- both locally and globally. This project is an interfaith, interracial and international coalition, involving Hibakusha, congressmen, Catholic bishops, Buddhists and ordinary citizens both here and in Japan. The ultimate goal is to bring folks together to support the movement toward nuclear disarmament. I urge all who read this to participate in any way you can, wherever you can.
The Project: Marking the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Center for Nonviolent Solutions is sponsoring a project to raise awareness of the opportunity presented by the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to realize the goal of a nuclear weapons free world. While the precise design and dimensions of the commemoration are still emerging, these elements are clear:
We will engage people in the 2nd Massachusetts Congressional District, directly through public dis course and through civic and religious organizations, student groups. We will ask people to partici pate in the global commemoration of the anniversary with local actions including: Walks and vigils, learning groups, local pilgrimages, letters to leaders and other initiatives.
We will organize a small group of people to travel to Japan to honor the Hibakusha (Atomic bomb survivors). We intend that the group traveling to Japan be broadly representative and include young and old, indigenous people, and people of color.
We will make a particular effort to reach out to younger people who might not be aware of the nuclear threat.
Contact: Charlie Washburn | cjwashburn@Gmail.com | 508-868-1267 https://hiroshimacommemoration.my.canva.site Pilgrimage to Japan
In August 2025 we will send a group of US citizens to Japan to stand with the survivors and pledge our commitment to eliminating all nuclear weapons. We are seeking approval of the US House of Represen tatives to include Congressman James McGovern and other members of Congress. Our trip will take 7 days between August 3 and August 10.
We will join other US citizens lead by Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe New Mexico who has formed a partnership with the Bishops of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The pilgrimage will serve several purposes:
Embrace the Hibakusha’s (Bomb Survivors) expressed goal achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again. The extraordinary efforts of Nihon Hidankyo and other representatives of the Hi bakusha were awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize and have contributed greatly to the establish ment of a nuclear taboo.
Amplify the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to awaken US citizens to the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the arms race that will result from the US investment in “modernization” of our nuclear arsenal.
Animate a movement for the US to lead the way for the countries possessing nuclear weapons to employ the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as the vehicle to achieve a global ver ifiable elimination of the nuclear threat. Efforts will include continuing education efforts with civic and faith based groups and support for the formation of a Back from the Brink Hub in Worcester and helping to organize groups of Students for Nuclear Disarmament at Worcester Schools
We will also present films and speakers on topics related to nuclear disarmament to increase public awareness.
Background: In November 2023, at a reception celebrating Dorothy Day’s birthday during the second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons in New York City, I asked Archbish op Wester how other people and groups committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons could support his efforts. He had just described the partnership between two US Catholic diocese and their counter parts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He thought a moment and promised to discuss the notion with his colleagues. I was in NYC to support the action taken at the US Mission to the UN to call on the US to sign the treaty. I was struck by the fact that the Archbishop, who was clearly the most prominent leader in the American Church to address the meeting and Member of Congress Jim McGovern, the highest ranking member of US government to speak to the assembly had crossed paths without meeting.
It took months and the opportunity to let my mind wander and explore enough while walking the ancient pilgrim’s path El Camino de Santiago in Spain that the notion of journeying with the Bishops began to take form. Eventually it occurred to me that we might devise a way to have some Americans join with the Bishops and the people of Japan in commemoration of the bombing 80 years ago this August in a way that might move the US closer to accepting a ban on nuclear weapons.
In September I had the pleasure of introducing Archbishop Wester and Representative McGovern via teleconference and they had a wonderful and energetic conversation. The US Presidential Election has distracted us since September and the election’s outcome was not obviously supportive of our intent, but we will press on.
I committed to them that I would begin to work on assembling some people from McGovern’s district to join him in Japan this August. I also said I would look for a way to support the Archbishop’s interest in engaging people of college age. Part of our conversation focused on the fact that many younger Amer icans are unaware of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, much less the massive reinvestment we are making in them. Fewer still know that the Catholic Church has decided that there is no justification for possessing nuclear weapons.
US Representatives McGovern and Jill Tokuda of Hawaii have reintroduced a House Resolution urging the United States to return to the negotiations table on nuclear disarmament and to Leland the global effort to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons.
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If you’d like to connect with Shintaido folks living in Japan, contact Ms. Sumiko Koboyashi, or Tomoko Okada at Tenshinkai Office- email: Staff@tenshinkai.jp
If you’d like to join the pilgrimage from the U.S. to Japan, our guide for the group is Mihoko Wakabayashi. Her contact info in Worcester, MA is : Mihoko@Mihokotextiles.com
If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the project, you can send a check to: The Center for Nonviolent Solutions, 901 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602
Organizers Connie Borden, Rob Gaston, and Lee Ordeman are excited to announce that registration is open for a kenjutsu workshop October 11, 12, & 13, 2025.
Our guest instructor will be Pierre Quettier, 5th dan shintaido kenjutsu and shintaido general instructor. With 49 years of shintaido experience, he has made his recent focus teaching shintaido kenjutsu. He was awarded 5th dan kenjutsu at last summer’s international gasshuku, Dokan ’24. Pierre was chief author and editor of the book Shakunetsu: Chronicles of the Creation of Shintaido, published in July 2023.
Everyone is welcome. All levels of experience are eligible, and we particularly encourage those currently teaching or interested in teaching shintaido kenjutsu.
Curriculum will include Goho Batto Ho (5 drawing techniques for sword), Jissen Kumitachi (practical arrangements of kyukajo) and the three kata developed for shintaido kenjutsu: Shoden, Chuden, and Okuden.
During the six keiko of the three-day workshop, participants will study according to their skill levels. We will use bokken (light wooden sword). Practice with an iaito is optional. At the end of the workshop, participants will be provided means for continued study, such as videos and printed materials. The workshop will be held in the town of Rohnert Park, located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, just south of Santa Rosa.
Cost of workshop, including instruction, 6 keiko, 3 lunches, and dojo, is $320. No one is turned away for financial barriers. SOA members can contact Connie Borden at president@shintaido.org for information on SOA scholarships. The cost of lodging and meals other than lunch are separate.
We will gather for our evening discussions and dinners at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country Hotel. The hotel room rate includes breakfasts, access to a swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna. Parking is $22/day. Please consider staying at the hotel for several reasons: The first is that staying there makes a daily commute unnecessary, it simplifies holding gatherings in the evenings, and there are very limited options for staying with SoA members nearby. Please book directly with the Hotel.
Lunches on each of the three days will be served at the dojo and are included in the registration fee. We are planning a combination of “family style” meals by means of crock pot and/or deli platters. Having meals at the gym decreases travel time and allows for more relaxation time.
As is expected and traditional at gasshuku, all participants contribute to its success by sharing in a number of tasks. These include various preparations before the event, and jobs during the event. Jobs would include supporting the instructors with “sensei care” and hakama care, dojo prep, transportation assistance, and event recorder.
We want to share an invitation to an introductory Shintaido class. This is a great opportunity to learn the very basics of Shintaido.
The class is suitable for absolute beginners, so if you know of anyone who might be interested, please share this invitation! However, we believe that it can also be beneficial for experienced practitioners. Everybody is welcome.
This introductory class is intended to share simple body movements paired with vocal expressions that can lead to mind-body unity and a peaceful connection with others. This class is led by Nicole Masters.
When? Sunday June 8th, 2025 from 3 to 5 PM Where? Energy Wave Center® EESystem™ Energy Spa 120 Pleasant Hill Ave North Suite 330, Sebastopol, CA 95472
The registration fee is 35 USD
Register online and find all the information here: https://energywavecenter.com/shintaido/
Shintaido of America arranged for two Keiko to celebrate H.F. Ito on the weekend of 17 & 18 May 2025. Nicole Beauvois, who lives in France, was in the SF Bay Area for these events. Saturday’s morning Keiko was on Mount Tamalpais , a peak in Marin County, California.
In the evening, we gathered for a potluck dinner & music at the home of Jennifer Peringer and Martha Rodriguez.
On Sunday, Shin Aoki, General Instructor, led Keiko at Lake Temescal in Oakland, California.
About 15 gathered at 8:30am on Saturday the 17th of May. Robert Gaston, Senior Instructor, led the group with the movements of Taimyo on Mount Tam with an overlook of the Pacific Ocean. HF Ito often came to Mount Tam to meditate and gain inspiration. He also brought groups to study Shintaido on Mount Tam.
This inspirational point on the mountain top lent itself to grounding us, while the vista gave us the ability to expand beyond ourselves.
Several people commented on feeling Ito Sensei very strongly. Some commented they could hear him laughing as we struggled to maintain our balance when the gusts of wind blew strongly off the ocean. Others saw Ito in the overhead clouds that were blowing by.
After Taimyo, the group gathered for a picnic to spend more time together and share memories of HF Ito. Our picnic area was in a grove of trees that proved a peaceful break from the wind. Over our casual picnic people told stories and caught up with each other. After many hugs and more laughter, we said our goodbyes until the next event.
At 6pm on Saturday the 17th of May, we gathered for a potluck dinner and music at Jennifer and Martha’s home. Over Indian curry, pasta, salads, and desserts, we continued our conversations. People brought music, poetry, and other creative expressions to share. David Sirgany read poetry. Elli Nagai-Rothe spoke of her experience of growing up with Shintaido and HF Ito that began at the age of six. Kazu Shibao brought photos of HF Ito from 1982. Jennifer strummed her guitar, while Martha played her clarinet. Everyone joined in for these two songs: “Le Martiniana” and “I’ll Fly Away”. Both songs are often sung after the death of a loved one.
On Sunday, the group gathered for Keiko at Lake Temescal. Shin Aoki led the group, deepening our connections. Shin honored HF Ito by teaching Daikihon, the three core movements of Shintaido: Eiko, Wakame and Tenshingoso. Shin explained we learn the kata (movements) from our teachers and transmit the kata as purely as we can to others. However, each of us add our own heart and soul to this transmission.
After warmups, led by Derk Richardson, Shin started with Eiko Sei. We studied Wakame reaching directly to the core of our partner. Then, we studied what Ito Sensei often called “Welcome, come this way.”
One person reached into their partner’s core with a Tsuki attack, while the second person used their hand with palm facing inward, and pivoted allowing the energy to go past. We built upon this kumite as one partner continued to move past and turned, repeating first with a right Tsuki, then a left Tsuki, ultimately both people moved in an infinity spiral of movements.
This kumite included deflecting the attack with “Ah” , transforming this into Tenso and we let our partner sink into the earth. Shin finished with Tenshingoso Sei and Tenshingoso Dai.
Enjoying the sunny weather, we stayed lakeside for a second picnic breakfast. HF Ito was present throughout our meal as his portrait graced the table. We departed the morning with hugs and plans for keeping our connections with each other.
To close with part of the song: “I’ll Fly away,” lyrics by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch:
I’ll fly away To a land where joys will never end I’ll fly away.
Peace practitioners from around the globe will gather for a week of virtual shared practice and community dialogue about how the Space of Love can inspire our practice and life.
We hope you will join us across space and time to explore “The Space of Love” Aikukan 愛空間 this summer with peace practitioners in the Global Taimyo Community (GTC). Our theme draws from an interview in Taimyo, the British Shintaido Newsletter 2010 entitled, Unification Beyond Conflict and the Space of Love.
Sunday 20 July – Opening 90 minutes Thoughts from Masashi Minagawa on Aikukan Practice together Small group conversations and large group sharing
Monday through Friday 21 – 25 July Drop-in participation in 30-40 minute Taimyo practice sessions led by instructors around the world
Saturday 21 July – Closing 90 minutes Tomi Nagai-Rothe recounts Ito-sensei’s stories about the growth of the Global Taimyo Community and reflects on the future Practice together Small group conversations and large group sharing
Visit the Readings and Videos page of the GTC website for more in-depth articles and other sharing. GTC is organized by the Planning Team – Sarah Baker, Connie Borden, Rob Gaston, Masashi Minagawa, Jean Marc Otto Bruc, and Tomi Nagai-Rothe – and features a website with many GTC resources including links to video and the Day Street Dojo website.
