More than 100 potential warriors from Logan Park High School learned the ways of the ancient Japanese art of naginata from the teacher, who flew over from Tokyo in a trip organised by Dunedin's Seishinkan martial arts school.
Its instructor, Phil Davison, said students at the school were given wooden naginata to practice with, but the real things were deadly.
``It's a razor-sharp blade on the end of a long shaft, and you don't want to make a mistake.''
The school visit was organised partly to bring the pupils a taste of Japan, he said.
``But for some of them it will also be an example of how to be a human being. Sensei is 75, and she's still going. That's extremely impressive.''
Shimizu Sensei had practiced many forms of martial arts for more than 50 years, and taught Mr Davidson for about 15. She also holds the highest level of certification in a type of traditional Japanese etiquette known as Ogasawara Ryu.
She was a retired teacher and university lecturer so loved being around children, Mr Davidson said.
``She also has a great sense of humour.''
However, through a translator, Shimizu Sensei said she never smiled while training because the patterns were ``very fierce''.
She was initially dragged into martial arts, but it later became a love of hers, she said.
``What's in your heart can be transmitted to someone else through training.''
Logan Park pupil Lucan Willis (16) said Shimizu Sensei was ``awesome''.
``It's incredible at that age she can still do it and that she can teach without speaking English.''
He found it easier than some to keep up with the fast-paced instructions because he practised other martial arts, he said.
``But I think she's great at slowing down the movements and explaining for people who are struggling.''
