What Is Iaijutsu
Why choose Iaijutsu?
Many martial arts that have self defense applications in the current world often focus on developing those skills and techniques whilst overlooking the mental and spiritual training associated with the style.
Our style does not have an obvious 'street' application, we just do not walk down the street with a sword on our hip anymore.
However the skills and techniques do have practical use. The formal structure and moderate pace of our style create the perfect environment to develop mental discipline and spiritual awareness helping you improve your everyday life.
A brief history of our Lineage
Born in the mid 16th Century Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu was born near modern day Murayama City, in the Yamagata prefecture to a Samurai family under the ruling Minamoto clan. After the death of his father in a duel, Hayashizaki being only young knew he would need a significant advantage if he was to defeat his fathers killer.
He entered the local Shinto shrine and spent 100 days in prayer and practice developing a technique of drawing and cutting in a single motion which he used to prevail in the duel.
The style passed through direct transmission from teacher to student to the present day, in the early 20th century with the passing of Oe Masaji Hanshi the transmission was disseminated throughout all of his senior students.
We have trained in the teachings of Shimabukuro Hanshi and Iwata Sensei, we also train Shinto Munen Ryu Kenjutsu under Sensei Philip Smith and take an active interest in other Koryu and Gendai Ryuha.
We are not currently members of any direct organisation, though we still have good and close ties to all of the organisations that we have been affiliated with, the club has established itself and focuses on an evolved way of preserving the art.