A school of the sword, not the fight
We study and practise iaido — the art of drawing the sword, cutting, clearing the blade and returning it to the scabbard — entirely through solo forms. As in every iaido dojo, for safety our practice faces only an imagined opponent. There is no sparring and no contact. What there is, instead, is a lifetime's worth of detail in a single clean draw.
Our dojo name honours Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1546–1621), regarded as the originator of all styles of iaido. In the late 1500s he founded a style that became the root of both Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū and Musō Shinden Eishin-ryū. In 1932 Nakayama Hakudō named Musō Shinden-ryū, returning to that original vision. You can read the longer story on our history page.
Beginners welcome
Loaner practice swords are available. Your first visit is free — come and watch, or borrow a sword and join in.
For any age
Iaido rewards patience over athleticism. Students train well into later life, measuring progress against their own last attempt.
Properly affiliated
Rank is certified through the PNKF and AUSKF, so your grading is recognised across the federation.
New here? Start with these
If you're curious but unsure where to begin, a few of our articles are written exactly for that moment:
- What Iaido Actually Is (and Isn't) — the honest introduction.
- Your First Class: What to Expect — what to wear, bring and do.
- Getting Started — how the first few months unfold.