Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido is a classical (koryu) form
of Japanese martial arts that utilizes the sword through
both offensive and defensive tactics.
Iaido (also known as Iaijutsu, Batto, Battojutsu, etc.) is
similar to Kenjutsu, but begins with the sword
sheathed. The essence of the art is to draw the sword
quickly and accurately to defeat an opponent (or
opponents) in one fluid motion. Although not quite
accurate, one can think of the art as being similar to
the "quick-draw" gunfighters of the Old West.
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transmission school of Eishin”) dates back some 450
years and is considered one of the surviving branches
of the original Shinmei Muso-ryu school of Hayashizaki
Jinsuke Minamoto, a famous warrior of the late 16th
and early 17th century.
The 7th headmaster of Hayashizaki's school was
Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin, who lived in the
middle of the 17th century. Eishin is said to have
altered the original teachings of the school to fit the
shorter katana of the day. Because of this and many
other alterations and innovations, his lineage came to
be known as the Eishin-ryu.
The tradition comes to us in modern times through the
tremendous efforts of Oe Masamichi Shikei, who
headed the school around the turn of the 20th century.
Oe sensei awarded several high level menkyo
(certifications/licenses) to his many students and
several branches of the art exist today.
The line studied at the Indianapolis Budokan
recognizes Ikeda Takashi as the 22nd soke
(headmaster) of Eishin-ryu, and descends from the
teachings of Tsugiyoshi Ota sensei (10th-dan) and his
student Katsuo Yamagiuchi sensei (10th-dan) of the
Kukusai Budoin (IMAF).
Their teachings come to us through the efforts of
Nicklaus Suino sensei (6th-dan), a student of
Yamaguchi sensei and All-Kanto Iaido Forms champion
four consecutive years while studying in Japan.
Andrew Bryant, head instructor of the Indianapolis
Budokan, is extremely fortunate to be under the
tutelage of Suino sensei in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
Iaido.
