Back For the Fall. Annual Samurai Tryouts being held. Semester starts 17 September.

Open House

Sunday, September 10 

The Riverdale Y

5625 Arlington Avenue Bronx, NY 10471

Annual Samurai Tryouts / Free Demo Class September 11th at the Y

We had a great time last year and are hosting another Free Demo Class during the Riverdale Y's Open House on September 11th. The Fall Semester starts 9/18!

Watch the News 12 Video Clip of Class

Samurai in the News

On Sunday, May 6, 2007, Bronx News Channel 12 came to class and filmed the action and interviewed some of us. The segment then aired on the news.

Samurai Sword Class @ Riverdale Y for Teens and Adults--FREE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

Observe or even take a class for FREE

The class is open to students at all levels of martial arts training and fitness. Beginners are more than welcome, as well as children ages 5 and up!. 

Kids Class Ages 5-11 Sundays 1:30-2:30 

Adults Sundays 2:30- 4pm

RIVERDALE Y, 5625 Arlington Ave, Bronx, NY, 10471 

This Summer we took full advantage of the weather for some outdoor training.

Here we are art the Riverdale Market training some bokken techniques.  

And we also took full advantage of the wide-open space to add in some larger weapon training.

The naginata and bo-staff techniques here are hundreds of years old.

Watch the News 12 Video Clip of Class

Watch the New 12 Video Clip of Class

Fall 2014 Starts NOW!

FALL SEMESTER STARTING NOW!

We are back again at the Riverdale Y. This Summer I picked up another fighting sword, courtesy of Badger Blades, giving students yet more opportunity to know what it feels like to fight with cold, hard steel. For the first time, as the pictures show, Badger is offering saya. They are well made, strong  leather, with a master's attention to detail.

Having already practiced with this sword and saya, I can attest that they are practical and versatile.

What these blades and saya lack in traditional ornamentation is made up for in their ability to take a full contact blow. And when the ha gets nicked or notched, Badger Blades is there to reforge it to perfection, or, if necessary, replace at no charge whatsoever. While they cannot replace iaito, these blades make great additions to any dojo.

All class details are below, accurate and up to date. Whether you're new to the practice or returning, you are  welcome to join.

Class Schedule
Sundays 2:30- 4pm
Riverdale Y
5625 Arlington Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471(718) 548-8200

Click here for more detailed class info.

Detailed Samurai Sword Class Info

Learn the art of the Samurai Sword 

Sundays 2:30-4pm 

 RIVERDALE YM-YWHA 

**Membership NOT required**

Classes are taught by GREGORY ZENON, Kyoshi, Sensei

· Third-Degree (Kyoshi) Blackbelt in Samurai Sword(Iai-Jutsu and Ken-Jutsu)

· Sensei, Fukasa-Ryu Bujutsu Ryu, Fully Asian Accredited

· Member: International Okinawan Martial Arts Union

Sword training includes:

· practice (kata) training

· speed (iai) training

· fighting / sparring (ken) training

Observe a class for FREE and speak with the Sensei afterwards.

The class is open to students at all levels of martial arts training and fitness. Beginners are more than welcome, as well as children over the age of 10. 

For your first class you will need to come dressed comfortably as you would for any fitness class. No special footwear is needed; we practice barefoot. If you do not already have an oak bokken (wooden sword), one will be provided for you so that you can participate. 

If you decide that you want to continue with the practice, the investment is minimal: a uniform ($100), belt ($5), bokken ($25) and then later a sword ($100+) , cleaning kit ($10+), and a tanto/wooden knife ($5).

For more info contact: 212.380.8582 or email senseizenon@yahoo.com

Fall Semester is Up and Running

ALL Classes are taught by GREGORY ZENON, Kyoshi Rank Sensei
Now is the time. Enroll before classes fill up. Sundays 2:30-4pm. Join now!

Watch the News 12 Video Clip of Class

On Sunday, May 6, 2007, Bronx News Channel 12 came to class and filmed the action and interviewed some of us. The segment has been airing locally. Click below to watch for yourself.

On Jan. 22 at the Riverdale Y, Zenon, Sensei gave a demonstration of the Art of the Samurai Sword. With the assistance of Kevin Ng, Sensei, a fellow blackbelt of Fukasa Kai. Sensei demostrated one and two person seated and standing katas using swords, bokken and wooden knives. After the demonstration he was on hand to take questions from the crowd that had gathered for the event.

(images courtesy of Jacquetta Szathmari, Official Dojo Photographer)

Demonstration of Taking an Opponent's Sword

Although unarmed, a skilled warrior can disarm an opponent and capture his opponent's sword .

Knee Walking: Harder than it Looks

During a seated kata Sensei demonstrates kneewalking; an important skill to have if one were to be attacked while seated.

Demonstration of Using Bokken and Swords

Zenon, Sensei (left) demonstrates some advanced techniques, as Kevin Ng, Sensei attacks.

THE TIME TO LEARN IS NOW!

Zenon Sensei's Fukasa-Ryu Samurai Sword Training includes:
1. MENTAL DISCIPLINE:
· Self-discipline, confidence, and focus
· Use of and respect for physical objects as weapons
· Gaining respect and awareness of each other

2. KNOWLEDGE:
· The history of the Samurai
· Basic Japanese (numbers, nomenclature…)
· Sword care and handling

3. PHYSICAL WORKOUT:
The art works the entire body and provides a total body workout for the upper and lower body that includes:
CARDIO: Necessary for constant fast movement and prolonged training
FLEXIBILITY: Necessary for range of motion, numerous attacks and blocks, and more
STRENGTH TRAINING: Requiring the use of every muscle in the body to succeed

4. PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES:
A selection of the many skills learned:
·Evading and defeating multiple attackers
·Quick-speed movements
·Endurance training
· Open hand fighting, disarming techniques


5. HONESTY:
Fukasa-Ryu Samurai Sword Training is unique because it does not squeeze money from students with pay-for tournaments, expensive training equipment, and hidden costs. The focus is not on trophies and earning a rainbow of belts but on traditional training. After initial costs (uniform, belt, weapons) costs are minimal but the rewards are great.

Who is Zenon, Sensei?

Greg Zenon, Sensei believes in martial arts training as a way of living that leads to better quality of life. The following are highlights of his training and experience:
·Kyoshi -- 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Samurai Sword (Iai-Jutsu and Ken-Jutsu)
·Member of the International Okinawan Martial Arts Union, Okinawa / Japan / Europe / US.
·Sensei of Fukasa-ryu Bujutsu Kai (System of Depth, Martial Arts Association), a Fully Asian Accredited Martial Art
·Licensed Dojo Headmaster
·Fukasa-ryu Bujutsu Kai Hombu Photographer & Writer

·Over 18 years of martial arts experience including:
·10 Years with Soke Cary Nemeroff
·4 Years: University of Massachusetts Gojo Ryu Society
·4 Years: Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Webster Institute of Karate

In addition to being a martial artist, Zenon, Sensei is also an attorney who owns and operates his own Law Office, a general practice servicing clients in all areas of the law with a focus on real estate and criminal matters. Before entering private practice, Zenon, Sensei was a Prosecuting Senior Trial Attorney with the Brooklyn (Kings County) District Attorney’s Office.

Samurai Sword Dojo in Riverdale

Greg Zenon, Sensei, Fukasa-Ryu Iai/Ken-Jutsu Licensed Dojo Headmaster is now accepting students who want to learn the art of Samurai Sword at the Riverdale YM-YWHA 5625 Arlington Avenue /Bronx, NY 10471
(718) 548-8200 / http://www.riverdaley.org/

What is Fukasa-Ryu Samurai Sword?
It is and ancient combat method, still practiced today in its original form, with a lineage to the 18-generation Yokota Samurai family art and Shinjo-Ryu methods. With modern practice fitness goals in mind, training includes:
*practice (kata)
*speed (iai)
*fighting (ken)

Classes focus on the Iaijutsu "quick drawing" skills Samurai utilize when their swords are sheathed and Ken-Jutsu methods employed after drawing the sword. Just as Samurai have trained for centuries in both areas to succeed in all phases of combat, students are trained in both skills, learning the combat methods Samurai faced from battle to battle.

What will students learn?

Students learn the intricacies of drawing, cutting, deblooding and sheathing, and also Tachi-Dori. In Tachi-Dori – a combat technique pitting swordsperson against swordsperson – students work with bokkens (wooden sword replicas) to refine the combat "unsheathed methods" of the blade. Students also learn Kata (choreographed movements practiced without a partner) performed standing, seated, running, rolling or moving while kneeling (Shinki-Waza). The goal is to defend and retaliate with the blade in the Samurai tradition. Fukasa-Ryu Samurai Sword training is more than a phyisical workout, it engages the mind as well as the body.

Interested adults and teens should contact the Sensei via email or call 212.380.8582 to arrange to observe a class and meet with Zenon, Sensei.

Zenon, Sensei is also available for private students of all ages and levels. Email Zenon, Sensei for more information or to be added to the Dojo mailing list.