WHY I CREATED A NEW STYLE

 I began studying the Japanese "Samurai" Sword in 1975 under the instruction of Soke Joe Ruiz, 10th Dan. Soke taught me Bokken waza and Gata (Sange NO Katanna and Omori Ryu Katanna). I practiced these techniques exclusively until receiving further instruction from Soke Shogo Kuniba, 10th Dan in Mugai Ryu Hyodo Iaijutsu in 1984. Soke Kuniba taught me the 13 Gata from Mugai Ryu both sitting and standing. Continuing to practice what I had learned previously from Soke Ruiz and Mugai Ryu until learning the Seita Gata from Shihan Kiyoshi Yamazaki in 1998. After training for over 36 years without changing anything taught to me, I discovered that the Mugai Ryu had fractured in Japan to now include 13 different styles of Mugai Ryu. Being that the style of Mugai Ryu I learned and practice is now distinctly different from other styles and having added two more gata for a total of 15 gata. I decided to name what I perform as Iaijutsu, Riki-Ha Mugai Ryu Iaijutsu. This makes a definite distinction between what myself and my students perform and all others. It also shows that this style has my influence.

As such, I have assumed the rank of Kudan (9th Dan) as the creator of the style and the length of time in grade (36 years). This rank was recognized by the: Traditional Karate Association, Christian Martial Artist Coalition, Inc., and Budorank.com.

Some will NOT recognize this and to them I say, "So What!" If you can do what I can do the way I can do it.....then you can judge me.  I did not assumed this rank to be self serving or to exalt myself above others. I am simply trying to pass on the knowledge my Sensei's taught me in the exact manner they taught me, without change, in an attempt to keep their knowledge alive as they might wish it.