Sekiguchi Komei, Soke, is the 21st direct-line headmaster of MJER, having succeeded Onoe Masamitsu, the 20th headmaster in the Yamauchi-ha lineage.
Sekiguchi Komei Sensei has spent his lifetime studying and training in the martial arts, and apart from swordsmanship has also reached high levels of skill in such disciplines as Karate, Judo, Kendo and Naginatajutsu. It’s been Sekiguchi Sensei’s lifes work to take Iaijutsu to the people of the world. Sekiguchi Sensei has witnessed over the years; a calling for the teachings of budo.
When we strive for high performance we become more useful to others, says Sensei. Sharing this knowledge and ones daily practise helps to reinforce the teachings of “I-Shin” or, “One heart”.
Something Sekiguchi Sensei feels holds great merit for the modern world. Sekiguchi Sensei spends a great deal of his time travelling around the world promoting classical Japanese arts and traditional culture as well as teaching at the many Komei Juku branches throughout the world which he has built up over many years into a family of schools dedicated to the continuation of Komei Juku Iaijutsu. Sekiguchi Sensei visits the Australian branches of Komei Juku regularly, conducting both internal and public seminars.
The headmaster and founder of Ryoen Ryu Naginatajutsu is Shimizu Nobuko sensei. Shimizu sensei also holds 8th dan ranking in Jikishinkage Ryu Naginatajutsu.
Shimizu sensei has mastered several arts, including Ocha Tea Ceremony, Kado Flower Arranging, Iaijutsu swordsmanship, and Kyudo classical archery.
Ryouen Ryu Naginatajutsu is the creation of Shimizu Nobuko sensei after a lifetime of training in Jikishinkage Ryu Naginatajutsu (recieveing Tora no Maki from the 17th Soke, Toya Akiko in 1998), Ogasawara Ryu Reiho-gaku (recieveing Menkyo Kaiden from the 32nd Soke, Tadamune Ogasawara in 1984) and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu (currently holding the position of Jikimon kenshi to the 21st Soke, Sekiguchi Komei).
Ryouen Ryu Naginatajutsu specialises in the use of the bladed polearm (naginata) and the long knife (kowakizashi) used together for long and short distance ancient combative techniques.