by Birgit & Daiki Siegert-Iriyama
In October 2013, we (Birgit and Daiki) started practicing Naginata in Montreal, Canada. After these thirteen years of practice together, Naginata continues to offer us opportunities to learn, reconnect, and grow in ways that still surprise us. Since the very beginning of our journey, we have trained side by side, and our recent trip to Brussels, Belgium, for the Belgian Naginata seminar was one of those especially meaningful moments. It was a weekend shaped by rigorous training, warm hospitality, and the shared energy that comes from practicing with people who are equally serious about Naginata.
It was also our first visit to Brussels, which made the trip even more memorable. We stayed in an amazing Art Nouveau building that had been converted into a small hotel / guesthouse with only five guest rooms. The atmosphere of the place was unique, with wooden floors and ceilings rising to nearly four metres in height. Such spaces would allow practicing Naginata in each room which, of course, we didn’t do. Still, it is rare to come across such an accommodation, and it added a special charm to our stay.
We didn’t have much time for sightseeing, but of course visited the Grand Place, saw Mannekin Piss, went to the Belgian Beer World Experience, where we enjoyed a drink on the rooftop terrace. No trip to Brussels would have been complete without enjoying the famous waffles and sampling of some chocolates.
The seminar itself was both demanding and inspiring. Over the course of 2 evening practices, one of which included some Tendo-Ryu training; and the main seminar weekend, we were able to work on and refine our basics, such as technical precision, timing, and distance, and had the chance to work with partners from different countries.
What we appreciated most was the balance between intensity and generosity: everyone was serious about improvement, yet equally willing to encourage one another, share observations, and help each other progress. It was a pleasure to meet again many practitioners whom we had previously seen at the World Naginata Championship in Boulder, while also getting to know many more European practitioners whom we now look forward to meeting and practicing with again in the future. Training together in this type of atmosphere is what makes seminars truly special. The wonderful dinner on Saturday evening was another great way to connect and what’s better than delicious food and good beer (or drink of your choice) after a hard day of training?
Throughout the seminar we received meaningful input, and experienced new training methods, different styles and up-to-date information which we can now take home with us and use in our own club practice. The demonstration of Gokaku-Geiko between high-ranking practitioners was another eye-opener offering valuable insights for future development. We were also able to test for our 3-dan which certainly is a major milestone in our shared journey. Since we began practicing Naginata, we have passed each of our gradings side by side, and reaching this point together made the moment especially significant. As many practitioners know, an examination is never only about the techniques performed on that day; it is also a reflection of years of regular keiko, corrections received, moments of frustration, and the quiet determination to keep going.
Looking back, we return from Brussels with renewed motivation, valuable lessons from the seminar floor, and a strong sense of gratitude toward the organizers, instructors, training partners, and friends who made the weekend so meaningful. Moments like this remind us that Naginata is not only a martial discipline but also a community built through effort, humility, and shared passion. We are grateful to have experienced this seminar together and look forward to continuing the path with everybody.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mie Kinoshita-sensei who gave us the exact advice that we needed to hear this time; David D’hose-sensei who has accompanied us through all 3 of our dan-gradings so far; and Mark Berghaan-sensei whose pointers will again help us on our next steps. Their guidance, teaching, and encouragement throughout the seminar was invaluable. We are equally grateful to Francois Dermine, Kirsi Nording Cronsten, and Tyl Dermine, as well as to all the sempai whose advice, corrections, and generous support meant so much to us along the way. In budo, progress is never made alone, and we feel deeply thankful for the time, care, and spirit that each of them shared with us. Their presence and input made this seminar and our grading not only a milestone in our practice, but also a truly meaningful experience that we will carry with us with great respect and appreciation.
The Belgian Naginata team has truly put together a fantastic seminar, our special thanks here go to Laurence Dumonceau and Yolanda Beyra-Vanneste. Anybody who has the opportunity to attend a seminar in Belgium, please do so, it’s definitely worth it.
And, if you head over to our side of the Atlantic, make sure to reach out.
Cheers!
