Wednesday 24th Jul 2024
St John’s Place, Lower Road, Bemerton, SP2 9NP
7.30-9.30pm
Michael Jay, a British Airways long-haul pilot now retired from flying the Boeing 747-400 from London’s Heathrow Airport, has combined his flying career with a lifelong study of Japan and, in particular, its martial culture. His work and fascination since childhood with the martial arts of both England and Japan has taken him to Japan nearly four hundred times to fly, study, train and teach.
Uniquely, Michael holds senior positions in two ‘Intangible Cultural Assets of Japan’ as classified by the Japanese government, holding the samurai rank of Group Commander in the Soma Wild Horse Chase, a unique three-day celebration of samurai horsemanship held in the full heat of the Japanese summer in Fukushima, north-eastern Japan.
Michael is also a master swordsman of Japan’s premier martial tradition,Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō Ryū, also an ‘Intangible Cultural Asset of Japan’ – dating from the 15th century when Japanese martial skill was at its peak. A true combat school, its teachings include all the classical weapons and Shintō and Buddhist philosophy.
Michael holds black belt ranks in several other Japanese martial arts, is a firearms instructor qualified by the prestigious Smith & Wesson Academy, and served 17 years in London’s Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary, receiving the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for police service. His audiences have included The Royal Armouries, The Tower of London, Oxford University, Eton College, Keio University, The Japan Society, et al, together with lectures as the guest speaker on cultural cruises around Japan.
Michael’s talk will explain the practice and ethos of the truly classical martial arts of Japan including the massive differences between them and the modern so-called martial arts as practised, but often corrupted, in the West.
There will be a short film and a practical demonstration of the sword and weapons techniques of the Katori Shinto Ryu, a unique Cultural Treasure rarely seen outside Japan.
Entrance for members is included in your annual subscription. For non-members, entrance is £10 (cash, card or cheque) at the door.
There is a small car park and lay-by opposite St John’s Place on Lower Road (for approx. 20 cars). Parking is also allowed on single yellow lines on Lower Road after 6pm. Alternative car parking is available at The Clubhouse, Salisbury and South Wilts Sports Club (SP2 9NY) and a pathway connects to St John’s Place.