Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido (Iaijutsu) is a Japanese martial art of swordsmanship. The art emphasizes drawing and cutting with the samurai sword in a single fluid motion and with extreme precision. Throughout the movements, the Iaido practitioner maintains a spirit of intense focus and internal calmness.
Classes emphasize traditional etiquette, practice, and application of the techniques in the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu curriculum. This curriculum encompasses the practice of waza (solo techniques), katachi (paired patterns), and tameshigiri (test cutting using a live/sharp sword on rolled mats). These three components serve to reinforce and improve the other to make the student of iai-jutsu aware of proper body mechanics, focus, and technique for the effective use of the sword. The practitioner primarily uses an iaito, a metal sword specifically designed for safe Iaido practice, though some may choose to begin using a bokken (wooden sword).
Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo is a Japanese traditional martial arts samurai weapon which is about 400 years old founded by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi using a 4 foot long plain oak wood. While this wooden stick had a peaceful, non-threatening look, it changed to become a tremendous weapon using a wide range of thrusting, sweeping, and striking techniques. Both left and right sides are used equally with one-hand, two-hand, and flipping techniques.
Jodo is based on true fighting techniques, and also teaches defending techniques, etiquette (manners), concentration, focus, and understanding distance. While training prepares you to learn the best self defense against the weakness of the sword, Jodo also trains you to defend against other weapons and practical protection.
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo are 'koryu bujutsu' (which means 'traditional martial art') with a direct lineages back to their founders. Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo was founded about 400 years ago by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi as a defense against the samurai sword. Our classes continue this tradition under the personal mentoring of Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi, a direct student of Miura Sensei. Hanshi Shimabukuro holds the rank of 8th dan in Iaido, 8th dan in Karate do and 7th dan in Jodo from Dai Nippon Buto-Ku-Kai (Japan's oldest and most prestigious Martial Arts organization from the Royal Family) and is the highest ranked instructor of these arts outside of Japan.
