IAIDO MUSO JIKIDEN EISHIN RYU
IAIDO is a martial art involving the drawing, cutting and resheathing of the Japanese longsword, the katana. It differs from kendo and kenjutsu in that the sword begins and ends in the scabbard
“The sword has to be more than a simple weapon; it has to be an answer to life’s questions.”
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
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Iaido History
Iaido History
The form of Iaido practiced by the Eikoku Roshukai is known as Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu.
- Muso – Peerless, without equal;
- Jikiden – Direct, from teacher to student;
- Eishin – A swordmaster who devised many imprtant techniques;
- Ryu – Style.
This form of Iaido has a lineage and history about 450 years long. The founder of the art was a man named Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto Shigenobu, who named his style Shimmei Muso-Ryu (Divinely inspired unparalleled style) as it is said the system came to him after praying for guidance. This style is considered the foundation for both Eishin-Ryu and another form of Iaido widely practiced Muso Shinden-Ryu.
It is thought that the name Eishin-Ryu came from the 7th generation soke or headmaster, who was named Hasegawa Mondonosuke Eishin.
To our club and style, a most important soke in the lineage was Oe Masamichi Sensei, the 17th generation soke and the last undisputed headmaster of the ryu. Among the other names that Oe Sensei was known by in his life was Roshu, from which we obtain the name Roshukai (society of Roshu) and Roshkai Eikoku (UK Roshukai).
The teacher who guided us from 1995 devoted himself to furthering the methods of Oe sensei. This man was Iwata Norikazu Sensei.
Eikoku Roshukai
Eikoku Roshukai is the English branch of the Japanese Roshu Kai and is neither an organization nor association. It is based on a traditional school that has its roots in Japan that go back over 500 years.
Eikoku Roshukai is commited to providing a high standard of teaching with high calibre instructors for UK students. Seminars are oraginsed each year by member Dojos which Eikoku Roshukai members can attend. Membership also provides personal Martial Arts insurance, a licence and a quarterly magazine called ‘Obi’.
The Eikoku Roshukai senior instructors are Neil Kemp, Mark Sykes and Steve Watering
The philosophy of this group is that it is run by its members for its members with no-one profiting personally from membership fees or any funds raised through seminars. Remuneration is not received for any of the activities undertaken on behalf of the group..
