Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido
Muso
Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido (Iaijutsu) is the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship
which emphasizes drawing and cutting with the samurai sword (called a 'katana')
in a single fluid motion. Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu is a 'koryu bujutsu' (which
means 'traditional martial art') with a direct lineage back over 450 years to
its founder, Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, who developed this particular style
of swordsmanship.
The
current and 20th headmaster of our branch of Iaido is Miura
Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi,
Jyudan (10th dan black belt) and founder of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai
(Japanese Ancient Weapons True Spirit Association).
The
Jikishin-kai USA & International continues the tradition of Muso Jikiden
Eishin-ryu iai-jutsu outside of Japan under the instruction of Masayuki
Shimabukuro, Hanshi,
hachidan (8th dan black belt). Shimabukuro Sensei is a direct student of Miura
Sensei and has studied Iaido (Iaijutsu) for over 30 years.
The
Jikishin-kai honbu dojo emphasizes traditional practice and application of the
techniques in the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu curriculum. This curriculum
encompasses the practice of waza (solo techniques of which there are over 40),
katachi (paired patterns using a wood sword or 'bokken'), and also 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. All three of these, plus the integral observance and practice of sincere
etiquette make up the core curriculum of our dojo.
Iaido
requires extreme precision of its techniques and demands tremendous
concentration during practice-both of which ask a great deal of self-discipline
and sincere personal commitment on the part of the student in order to master.
As a reward for these efforts, it can offer the individual a lifetime of
physical, mental, and spiritual growth, as well as an enlightened and peaceful
state of mind.