Samurai: Introduction to Japanese Swordspersonship

Program Type:

Community, Health + Wellness, Humanities

Age Group:

Adult
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Event Details

Rob Dillon and members of Flowering Dogwood Martial Arts Way invite you to join them in an introductory exploration of Japanese swordspersonship. In this program you'll learn about Japan's oldest surviving martial art, the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. A ryu is a "school" and this one was founded in the 15th Century! In this partly hands-on program you'll be invited to join Flowering Dogwood in some of their basic practices, voluntarily of course, and you'll learn some historical background of this art form and witness a demonstration of this authentic and bona-fide, "old-school" art of Japanese swordspersonship. Overall you'll see how a martial practice may become an art of peace, of self-expression, social engagement, and a "way to go" towards whole-person fitness. No experience necessary, all materials provided.

About the Presenter

Robert W. Dillon, Jr., Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus and Founding Faculty, Department of Theatre and Dance, Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, Southeast Missouri State University. In 2021 Rob moved to University Park, Illinois, to be closer to his adult children. There he founded Flowering Dogwood Martial Arts Way to continue his 50-year journey of martial arts study, scholarship, practice, and sharing-in-teaching.