Mike Kontas

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stay in Japan: 13 years
Identity: Language & Martial Art Instructor

For the last thirteen years Mike has been studying and practicing a discipline of Japanese swordsmanship known as Shin Kage Ryu (New Shadow Style). For the most part it’s a ceremonial art, but still practiced as if they were on the battlefield. Mike is a fifth level black belt, and licensed to carry a sword. His long sword was given to him by his teacher and is over 600 years old; and yes it’s bloody sharp! Mike says the practice teaches him patience, discipline and helps him look within himself. “It might look easy, but there are many fine details, and you can cut yourself!” To learn more about Shin Kage Ryu access http://shinkage.net (Japanese)

 

 

 

 

ソルトレイクシティ ユタ州出身
日本滞在13年
英語教師、剣術家

2本の刀を構える姿がキリリと決まるマイク。彼は13年間、日本の剣術“新影流”を学ぶ侍だ。本物の刀なだけに、持ち歩くには許可がいるが、さすが黒帯5段のマイク。許可書を取得し、刀の携帯が認められている。さらに師匠より譲り受けた刀は600年以上代々受け継がれてきた貴重な逸品。彼は剣術を通して忍耐と規律、そして自分自身を見つめるということを学び、武士道を極めているのだ。「刀裁きは簡単に見えるかもしれないけど、いろんな型があるし、自分を切ることだってあるから危険なのでござる」…って、マイク。恐れ入りました。

 

 

 

 

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stay in Japan: 13 years
Identity: Language & Martial Art Instructor

For the last thirteen years Mike has been studying and practicing a discipline of Japanese swordsmanship known as Shin Kage Ryu (New Shadow Style). For the most part it’s a ceremonial art, but still practiced as if they were on the battlefield. Mike is a fifth level black belt, and licensed to carry a sword. His long sword was given to him by his teacher and is over 600 years old; and yes it’s bloody sharp! Mike says the practice teaches him patience, discipline and helps him look within himself. “It might look easy, but there are many fine details, and you can cut yourself!” To learn more about Shin Kage Ryu access http://shinkage.net (Japanese)