Want to practice Naginata in Japan?
Well, there are mainly two ways:
- Get an invitation from a Japanese teacher.
- Move to Japan for a longer period of time, as an exchange student, for example.
Other than that, it is pretty much impossible.
Then again, the first point can be extended to include an initial recommendation from a well-known teacher outside Japan, who is in direct contact with you. That is, you are in direct student status with this teacher.
Occasionally, an email arrives asking for the address of a Jikishinkageryu Naginatajutsu [Dojo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dojo “A dojo (道場 dōjō?) is a Japanese term which literally means ‘place of the way’) in Japan where this person could go. Unfortunately, I:
- Have no ability to recommend anyone whom I do not know.
- Am not in a position to recommend anyone, anyhow.
The best way to get high-level teaching is to first become a high-level student. This can be easily achieved by practicing hard, long, and with devotion. Just need to do it.
Once you have “High Level Student” status, someone in Japan has most likely heard of you, and with a suitable opportunity, perhaps via an introduction in an International Seminar, you might be able to join the training session in Japan.
An empty cup is easier to fill; any martial art-related motion picture can tell that.