Last week, I had the honor of being invited by Luciano Morgenstern (Chairman of Mugai-ryū Europe and Representative of the Mugai-ryū Meishi Ha in Europe) to the summer seminar in Cologne, Germany. Despite the scorching heatwave sweeping across Europe, over 60 practitioners gathered for two days of intensive training.
The first day focused on technical work, as the gymnasium was sweltering under the summer sun. The senseis covered a wide range of topics, including maintaining flow, power generation, and the execution of all Mugai-ryū basic katas—with special attention to Ryōguruma, one of the most challenging forms for shodan candidates. The final hour was dedicated to exam preparation, a critical aspect of the seminar.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, To Rei (刀礼, sword etiquette) in Mugai-ryū is highly ritualized. For beginners, performing a test in front of such esteemed masters for the first time can be intimidating—an experience I know all too well. We wrapped up the day in Cologne’s city center at the Tenshinkai Dojo, where I was pleasantly surprised to find my name displayed on the wall alongside other students of Luciano Sensei. To cap off the evening, Sensei organized a barbecue, offering a wonderful opportunity to connect with everyone outside of training.
The second day began with one hour of Zazen (座禅, seated meditation), guided by a Zen monk. This set the tone for the most anticipated moment of the seminar: the examinations, ranging from sankyū to sandan. The atmosphere was intense and deeply emotional for all the candidates. What made it even more special was the presence of practitioners from other schools, including Genkō Nitō-ryū (two-sword fighting) and Tōsei-ryū (stick fighting). Observing these different traditions gave me a fascinating glimpse into the techniques and precision I’ll need to master as I progress through the ranks.
Despite the oppressive heat, the weekend was a refreshing experience for the mind and spirit. It allowed me to assess my progress on my learning journey, but more importantly, it gave me the chance to meet this incredible community—a group of truly impressive individuals who share the same passion for the Way of the Sword.
