Parallel. It is against this backdrop of traditional Japanese swordsmanship that Nitjuku, a Martial Arts school in Mount Gravatt, offers its unique and authentic training experience.
Nitjuku is dedicated to the art of Nit-ry, the simultaneous use of two swords. Led by senior instructor Greg Clarke, who has extensive experience and holds direct personal student titles from renowned masters in Japanese swordsmanship, the school aims to preserve and transmit the teachings of Nit-ry in its purest form.
Drawing on genuine connexions to Musashi's teachings, Nitjuku focuses on Genshin Nit Ichi-ry Kenjutsu, a codified distillation of authentic kory kenjutsu training. Over twenty-plus years, Greg Clarke has learned directly from two genuine Japanese shihan, ensuring a contemporary traditional art of Musashi-related Nit-ry beyond the limitations of a single line of transmission.
The curriculum at Nitjuku consists of three practise sets: Kiso (foundation), Tenkai (expansion), and Tg (integration). Each set has its own character and purpose, with the Tg set being paramount and key. It encompasses the same five old-style forms as the Nit Seih of Musashi's Niten Ichi-ry, providing an essential understanding of Musashi's Hyh-no-Hyshi.
While the main focus is on the Tg set, the Kiso and Tenkai sets play a crucial role in instilling additional principles and variations (henka) that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Musashi's Nit Ichi-ry Kenjutsu. These sets deliver intrinsic Nit waza and riai, the underlying rationale behind the techniques.
Training at Nitjuku follows the 'Shu-Ha-Ri' learning process, deeply immersing students in the practise sets. Under the direct tutelage of the senior instructor, students embark on a structured and systematic journey, honing their skills in the art of Nit-ry. The kata of the Tg set, originally designed for mortal combat, retain their pedagogical methods from kory kenjutsu, ensuring an authentic and effective training experience.
At Nitjuku, students are provided with the opportunity to delve into the depth and intricacies of Musashi's Nit principles and techniques, surpassing the teachings found in any single classical school of present-day transmissions within Japan. With its commitment to preserving the essence of traditional Japanese swordsmanship, Nitjuku stands as a beacon of Nit-ry training in Mount Gravatt.