History of Mumeishi - Page 3
In 1981 Brent Gazzaniga, by now a second dan, immigrated to Australia. Prior to leaving the UK Brent had made contact with Sensei Ron Bennett who was already well known to British kendo from his early travels to World Championships on behalf of the infant Australian Kendo Renmei. Brent joined the Melbourne Kendo Club which at that time trained at the YWCA in Elizabeth Street Melbourne. After 3 years Brent now 3rd dan, became an Australian citizen and was eligible to represent Australia in the Paris World Kendo Championships. Brent went on to manage the National Team at three of the following world kendo championships and has been Victorian State coach on 2 occasions.
It was at this time that Brent also renewed his long association with one of Kendo’s most famous exponents and teachers, Kioshi Nakakura Sensei 9th Dan. Brent had first met Nakakura sensei during one of sensei’s early visits to Europe. Brent received his initial training in Seitei iaido from him during those meetings. With Japan so close Brent began regular visits to kendo’s birthplace and at every opportunity sought out Nakakura Sensei for more instruction. Luckily for Brent, Sensei Nagai, senior instructor at Melbourne Kendo Club had also met and had formed a relationship with Nakakura sensei and had invited him to visit Australia where Brent was able to gain further knowledge in Kendo and Iaido from him on home ground. On a trip to Japan whilst attending The Kendo Leaders Summer School at Kitamoto Brent under the watchful and critical eye of Sensei Nakakura successfully passed his 4th Dan and during an evening meal at Sensei’s favourite Chinese restaurant in Tokyo was encouraged to return to Australia and start teaching. During this visit Sensei Nakakura took Brent to the factory to show him the embroidered flag that he was later to present to the Australian Kendo Renmei. This was the first year Australian kendo ka competed for the coveted Nakakura Trophy and Brent as a member of the Victorian Team helped ensure that the first state to win it was Victoria.
Although reluctant at first to teach, Brent, with the continued support of Nakakura sensei approached the Victorian Kendo Association for permission to open a new club in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne in the town of Berwick.
The Masonic Hall in Berwick High Street was chosen as the venue for the dojo and permission from Holt Sensei in the UK was sought to use the name Mumeishi and the now well known Bokuto Tsuba mon.