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Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.

Mark Twain

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Sensei Bresciani

The International Budo Institute is proud to annuonce the association of Sensei Stefano Bresciani, 3rd Dan from Italy. Born in the 1976 Sensei Bresciani began his Karate studies in 1994 and attained the rank of Shodan in 1999 with FIJLKAM - Federatione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Martiali the National Federation of Martial Arts in Italy. In 2002 he was awarded Nidan rank and began the FILJKAM instructors course in Milan. He presently holds the rank of Sandan.

Between 2001 and 2007 he has acted as the Vice-President of the Karate Leno association while at the same time winning several Kata competitions. In 2003 he started training in Aikido and quickly became first kyu and is now preparing for the shodan examination.

In the 2005 he also started to study Reiki along with other studies in the Shodo, Chi-Gung and meditation. In 2006 he joined the Bushidokai school of martial arts headed by Shihan Gandossi of the International Budo Institute where he started the Instructors training course. In December 2006 he was licensed to the rank of instructor and started his own dojo in Brescia, Italy.

In April 2007 Montedit published Sensei Bresciani's first book entitled, "105 Ways to Know the Far East" which includes 105 small chapters dedicated to the definition and explanation of 105 words concerning martial arts, spirituality and costumes of the far east countries.

The International Buso Institute is certain that the association with Sensei Bresciani will be fruitfull both for himself, his students as well as for all members of the The Institute. Please join us in welcoming Sensei Bresciani and his students to The institute.

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Shiro Saigo

One of the Four Heavenly Lords (Shitenno) of Kodokan Judo, the fundamental pillars in the creation of Judo, Shiro Saigo was one of the first students of Jigoro Kano. In 1883 Jigoro Kano divided his students into two groups creating yudansha, or graded students, and mudansha, or ungraded students. Shiro Saigo, along with Tsunehiro Tomita, were the first to be awarded the yudansha grade, a grade which a few years later became recognized by the black belt. Saigo and Tomita were the first black belts recorded in the history of Judo (and all martial arts since Jigoro Kano created this system of ranks).

Shiro Saigo is best known for his participation in the 1886 Tokyo Metropolitan Police Judo vs jujutsu tournament held to determine which martial art was superior in a true fight. It was sanctioned by Mr. Mishima, Chief of Police of Tokyo. Jigoro Kano put 15 of his best students, including Shiro Saigo, against Totsuka-ha Yoshin-ryu jujutsu masters. The Totsuka team included four or five jujutsu masters from other schools, but all eyes were on the ten or so matches between Totsuka and Kodokan.

Jigoro Kano wrote the following regarding his opponents:

"Totsuka Hikosuke was considered the strongest jujutsuka of the Bakumatsu Period (end of the shogunate). After Hikosuke, (his son) Eimi carried the name of the school, and he trained many outstanding jujutsuka. . . In truth, Totsuka's side had powerful fighters and were no blowhards. . . When you mentioned the name Totsuka, you meant the greatest jujutsu masters of that era. My own Tenshin Shinyo-ryu and Kito-ryu (jujutsu) teachers were sorely pressed when they went up against Totsuka jujutsu masters at the shogunate's Komusho dojo. . ."

Tournament Results

On May 27th, several students and teachers of the International Budo Institute participated and competed at the Shorinjiryu tournament hosted by the Shorinjiryu Shindo Budo Kwai in St. Jerome, Quebec. Notable placements were:

Shihan Donald York, 2nd place Men's Black Belt Heavyweight Division
Sempai Simon Choisinet, 1st place 18 Years + Advanced Weapons
Sempai Simon Choisinet, 2nd place 35 Years + Advanced Forms
Sempai Simon Choisinet, 2nd place 35 Years + Advanced Shiai

The Institute would like to congratulate those that participated and received awards and trophies. We continue to support the students as they prepare for the International World Koshiki Tournament later this summer in Montreal.

On Liberty

"Liberty is not our more or less illusory participation in absolute sovereignty of the social whole over the parts; it is rather, the direct, immediate, and concrete sovereignty of man over himself, the thing which allows and compels him to unfold his personality, gives him mastery over and responsibility for his destiny, and makes him accountable for his acts both to his neighbor, dowered with equal right claiming his respect -- this is where justice comes in -- and to God, whose purpose he either fullfils or flouts."

Bertrand de Jouvenel, French Philosopher

Shihan Henderson's Comment:

Bertrand de Jouvenel is a master writer and as the quote above shows he is able to cut to the essential element of what it means to have liberty. Through the ages the word liberty has meant many things to many people however the quote above speaks to the immutable nature of liberty that trancends cultures and time.

If you wish to have true liberty in your life you must find a tool that will enable you to unfold your personality and have sovereignty over yourself. As we have spoken in the past this means personal control over your emotions and actions. For the martial artist, being accountable to your neighbors and fullfilling your destiny means learning the lessons of Budo and putting them into play in your life on a daily basis. If you can do this and the calling is in your heart then you will find true liberty.

Shihan Kazuo Ito

Born 1898 - Died 1974.

Born 1898 in Shinjo City, Yamagata, Japan Ito Kazuo Sensei began studying martial arts with his father when he was young. Thus began a lifelong dedication to the study of traditional Japanese martial arts. After graduating from Meiji University in 1924, he bacame a member of the Mifune school. Ito Sensei began teaching in the Nihon Physical Education University. Also he was appointed as an examiner at the Kodokan. Between 1928 and 1930, he became a judo instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan police, and a professor of physical education at Toyo University and the National Military College. In 1941 Ito Sensei was awarded the position of Kyodo, from the Kodokan, and was promoted to Kodokan 8th dan in 1945.

With the cessation of hostilites, and the end of the Second World War in 1945, significant changes were brought to Japan. Social and Economic conditions were devastated, and there was virtually no work to be found. During the initial years of the Allied occupation the practice of martial arts in public facilities was prohibited. Through tireless efforts and numerous consultations with the occupying authorities Ito Sensei arranged to have judo reinstated as part of the physical education curriculum at Japanese public schools.

In 1946 Ito Sensei was appointed to the highest ranking Kodokan examiners committee. In 1951 he bacame a lecturer at Kogakuin and Nihon physical culture universities, and participated in the establishment of the organization that was to later become Kokusai Budoin, IMAF. He was appointed Shihan of the Meijigakuin University Judo club in 1954 and promoted to Kodokan 9th dan in 1958.