What are Imrama**?

Imrama is taken from the Irish 'imram' which literally means 'rowing about' . Imrama were mentioned commonly in some of the oldest tales in Irish and Welsh mythology. The most famous tales being 'The Imram of Bran, The Imram of Laegaire mac Crimthainn and The Imram of Mael Duin.' *

The imram, often accomplished more than once, were not just haphazard caution to the wind voyages, but undertaken with the utmost seriousness and with great understanding of the perilous nature of such a commitment, They were wholly voluntary voyages taken by people out sea, to what was believed to be the literal edge of the world.

* A Guide To Irish mythology: Daragh Smyth: Irish Academic Press:p.86: 1996

** The heading 'imrama' was inspired by the name of the company who designed our website. The name captured perfectly the essence and goals of training in the Genbukan.

Sensei Tanemura likened training in ninpo and amatsutatara as being like a journey across an ocean. Along the way, through arduous seas if the student perseveres and dedicates themselves they will progress along a path of martial and spiritual refinement along which they will learn much about themselves and their relationship with the world.

Irish instructors now travel all over the world to teach on behalf of Grandmaster Tanemura Shoto

In the Imrama section of this site will be placed photos of events, places and people who are on their own imram. Details of upcoming events, Tai -kai both Irish and international and other social / training events will also be found.