ON A SUNDAY in March, Mushinkan Dojo came alive with the rhythmic sound of bodies meeting mats—not in aggression, but in discipline. Nestled in a peaceful corner of Wayton Court Apartment, Mushinkan Dojo is a Japanese martial arts school that teaches Mushinryuu (swordsmanship), Mushindo (meditative art) and Aikido. On this day, martial artists from around the world had gathered there, ready to begin a rare cross-cultural training session.
This international martial arts exchange organised by HanaBana Hobbies, a community hub devoted to building relationships through Japanese culture, brought together students and instructors from Penang’s Mushinkan Academy and Melbourne’s Loong Fu Pai. Over the course of several days, participants immersed themselves in the philosophies, techniques and traditions of Mushindo, Aikido and Kenjutsu, guided by Mushinkan’s Sensei Franky.
Before beginning their training, they paused to pay respect to the pioneers who shaped their art: Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, Shioda Gozo, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido, and Hayakawa Sohoo, the founder of Wadō, who was also a disciple of Ueshiba. This act of reverence set the tone for the sessions, emphasising the deep spiritual and philosophical roots of their martial journey.
