Shin Shin Ryu Iaijutsu, U.S. Renmei 2025 Taikai

Who

All active members of SSR. All U.S. Members are strongly encouraged to attend.
Selected Japanese members of SSR might attend; Yamada Soke will not.

What

Annual (Spring) U.S. Renmei “Great Gathering” Taikai

When

Tentatively Thursday, 27 February through Sunday, 2 March 2025. Our goal is
to set the annual Taikai to have Competition Day on the first Saturday of March each
year. 2025’s dates are not yet locked, pending availability of an offsite venue. Our
intent is to lock the dates by Update #2 in August.

Where

Tucson, AZ. Activities on Thursday and Sunday will be held at the Ryushinkan
Dojo (726 E. Blacklidge Dr., Tucson, AZ 85719). Since projected attendance exceeds
dojo capacity, we are working to rent a larger facility in Tucson (within a 15-minute drive
of the Ryushinkan Dojo) for Training, Embu, and Competition on Friday and Saturday.

Why

See following page

Cost

Estimated cost of attendance is $400 per person for the whole weekend. This
cost includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily (served at the dojo / offsite
venue) as well as Tatami for cutting during competition and seminar. Testing will incur
additional costs.

Tentative Schedule

Thursday

Instructor (Dojo-Cho) Training (from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.)

Friday

Seminar Training followed by Curriculum Embu (All Day)

Saturday

Opening Ceremonies, Compeition, Closing Ceremonies. Additional
training if time permits. (All Day)

Sunday

Testing (as required). Opportunity training as time permits. Intent is to
be complete by 2:00 p.m. to allow out of towners to travel home.

Dojo-Cho / Nomad Deshi Reporting Requirements:

1. Acknowledge receipt and dissemination to members of your Dojo to Bob
Foster (via email bobfoster.usma99@gmail.com, text 931-444-9394, or Face
Book Messenger Robert L. Foster) no later than 8 July 2024.

2. Provide an updated list of active and inactive members of you Dojo to Bob
Foster (via email bobfoster.usma99@gmail.com, text 931-444-9394, or Face
Book Messenger Robert L. Foster) no later than 15 July 2024.

We intend to publish the next Update in early August.

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UPDATE 1

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Why it is important to attend the Taikai

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1. Primary Instructors are 100% Okuden-Level
   a. Promotes consistent performance of the SSR Curriculum for all Dojo
       locations.
   b. A complete Curriculum Demonstration (Embu) will allow Deshi of all levels
      to view the entirety of the SSR System.
   c. Dojo-Cho get to be students again during the event.

2. Consolidated Training
    a. Lower- and Mid-level Deshi have the opportunity to train with Renmei
       peers.
    b. Attendees have the opportunity to train and perform partnered drills with
       Deshi & Sensei from other Dojos and regions.

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3. Instructor Training
    a. Offers dedicated and focused improvement training for Dojo-Cho and
       Chuden-level Deshi.
    b. Promotes consistent instruction of SSR across the Dojo of the Renmei.

4. Competition
    a. Offers Deshi of all levels the opportunity to compare skills with other
       Renmei members.
    b. Provides the opportunity for Renmei leadership to observe Deshi
       performance under pressure.

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5. Testing: Offers the opportunity for Sandan and above level Deshi and Dojo-Cho
to progress further in SSR.

6. Renmei Leadership
    a. Has the opportunity to evaluate lower-level Deshi from distant Dojo.
    b. Has the opportunity to coach and mentor mid- and higher-level Deshi and
       Dojo-Cho.
   c. Has the opportunity to promulgate information, improvements, and
      initiatives to the Renmei as a whole.

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7. Fellowship: Offers the opportunity for camaraderie with other members of the
Renmei.