Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT STYLE OF IAIDO IS PRACTICED?
The style of iaido practised in Seishinkan is Musou Jikiden Eishinryu. Specifically, the Iaido taught is that of the late Yasuyoshi Kimura (10th Dan Hanshi "Grandmaster") from Meishinkan in Osaka, who taught a practical and dynamic style of Iaido with its origins in Shikoku.
WHAT IS THE ALL JAPAN IAIDO FEDERATION?
Seishinkan Iaido is a member of the All Japan Iaido Federation (Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) formerly headed by His Imperial Highness Munenori Kaya.
The All Japan Iaido Federation is a Federation of a number of high ranking Iaido teachers and dojos dedicated to preserving and perfecting various styles of Iaido. At present, the Federation includes 34 different divisions both within and out of Japan, representing the Iaido styles Musou Jikiden Eishinryu, Hokushin shin'ohryu, and Houkiryu Iaido.
WHERE ARE THE DOJOS OF SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
There is one dojo in Japan (Shinjuku, Tokyo), four dojos in Australia (Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Melbourne in Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales), and two dojo in the United States located in Manhattan, Kansas, and two dojo in Poland located in Tychy and Cracow-Wieliczka. All dojos teach exactly the same style, and members meet together regularly.
WHO IS THE HEAD OF SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
The head of Seishinkan Iaido is Kancho Glenn Stockwell (8th Dan). He was trained directly by Yasuyoshi Kimura Kancho in Osaka since 1991, before which time he studied Musou Shindenryu Iaido for several years. He is the first non-Japanese in history to receive the ranks of 6th Dan, Renshi, Kyoshi 7th Dan, and 8th Dan from the Federation, having completed all requirements including the Japanese written examinations. He is the head of the "Seishinkan Division" and a member of the Management Committee of the Federation.
CAN STUDENTS OF SEISHINKAN INTERACT WITH OTHER DOJOS?
Yes, students of Seishinkan are able to compete in the international Kyoto Taikai (Championships) each year, which is a competition against other dojos. In addition, there are several other events throughout the year where we can meet and train with other people from around Japan and the world.
HOW GOOD IS SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
Determining whether a dojo is good or bad usually depends on the relationship between the students and the teacher, and how faithfully the teachers try to maintain the style they are responsible for. In saying that, dojos can have recognition from others through results of tournaments, and Seishinkan Iaido does very well in the Kyoto Taikai. Over the past 14 years, we have attained a total of 36 gold and 20 silver medals, winning Dangai, 1st Dan, 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan, 4th Dan, 6th Dan, Renshi and 7th Dan.
The style of iaido practised in Seishinkan is Musou Jikiden Eishinryu. Specifically, the Iaido taught is that of the late Yasuyoshi Kimura (10th Dan Hanshi "Grandmaster") from Meishinkan in Osaka, who taught a practical and dynamic style of Iaido with its origins in Shikoku.
WHAT IS THE ALL JAPAN IAIDO FEDERATION?
Seishinkan Iaido is a member of the All Japan Iaido Federation (Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) formerly headed by His Imperial Highness Munenori Kaya.
The All Japan Iaido Federation is a Federation of a number of high ranking Iaido teachers and dojos dedicated to preserving and perfecting various styles of Iaido. At present, the Federation includes 34 different divisions both within and out of Japan, representing the Iaido styles Musou Jikiden Eishinryu, Hokushin shin'ohryu, and Houkiryu Iaido.
WHERE ARE THE DOJOS OF SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
There is one dojo in Japan (Shinjuku, Tokyo), four dojos in Australia (Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Melbourne in Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales), and two dojo in the United States located in Manhattan, Kansas, and two dojo in Poland located in Tychy and Cracow-Wieliczka. All dojos teach exactly the same style, and members meet together regularly.
WHO IS THE HEAD OF SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
The head of Seishinkan Iaido is Kancho Glenn Stockwell (8th Dan). He was trained directly by Yasuyoshi Kimura Kancho in Osaka since 1991, before which time he studied Musou Shindenryu Iaido for several years. He is the first non-Japanese in history to receive the ranks of 6th Dan, Renshi, Kyoshi 7th Dan, and 8th Dan from the Federation, having completed all requirements including the Japanese written examinations. He is the head of the "Seishinkan Division" and a member of the Management Committee of the Federation.
CAN STUDENTS OF SEISHINKAN INTERACT WITH OTHER DOJOS?
Yes, students of Seishinkan are able to compete in the international Kyoto Taikai (Championships) each year, which is a competition against other dojos. In addition, there are several other events throughout the year where we can meet and train with other people from around Japan and the world.
HOW GOOD IS SEISHINKAN IAIDO?
Determining whether a dojo is good or bad usually depends on the relationship between the students and the teacher, and how faithfully the teachers try to maintain the style they are responsible for. In saying that, dojos can have recognition from others through results of tournaments, and Seishinkan Iaido does very well in the Kyoto Taikai. Over the past 14 years, we have attained a total of 36 gold and 20 silver medals, winning Dangai, 1st Dan, 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan, 4th Dan, 6th Dan, Renshi and 7th Dan.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN AND TRAIN?
There is a one-off joining fee, an annual fee and a training fee per class as follows:
There is a one-off joining fee, an annual fee and a training fee per class as follows:
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COSTS
Joining Fee (once off) Yearly Fee (annual) Training Fee (per class) |
Australia
AU$50.00 AU$100.00 for Dangai AU$150.00 for Yudansha (includes membership of the Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) AU$10.00 |
Japan
¥5000 ¥6000 for Dangai ¥10000 for Yudansha (includes membership of the Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) ¥500 |
USA
US$50.00 US$60.00 for Dangai US$100.00 for Yudansha (includes membership of the Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) US$10.00 |
*There are no monthly fees or other charges. The first lesson is free, and there is no obligation to join.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
You will need a hakama, obi, dogi and an iaito (a katana for iaido). If you have your own equipment, you are welcome to bring this along, but iaito may be checked to ensure that they are safe. If you need to buy equipment, hakama, obi, dogi and iaito can be purchased through your instructor.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE ABLE TO DO IAIDO?
Any martial art takes a long time, but you can expect to be able to do the basics (drawing, cutting, cleaning the blade and sheathing) within a few weeks. To attain perfection, however, can take a lifetime. As a famous Japanese proverb goes, "Senri-no michi-mo ippo kara" which means that "Even a thousand mile journey must start with one step." Training is a long but enjoyable voyage, taken together with other members of the dojo, all of whom want to help each other.
ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAINING IN IAIDO?
No. Seishinkan Iaido have members of all ages ranging from 13 through to 68 years of age. We have smaller people (around 142 cm) and larger people (203 cm). Many members comment that their general health definitely improved through doing Iaido, which is low impact but good exercise. If you have any specific conditions, please talk to the teacher. We have both men and women training.
In the early 1800's Issai Sato wrote a quote applicable to training in Iaido:
You will need a hakama, obi, dogi and an iaito (a katana for iaido). If you have your own equipment, you are welcome to bring this along, but iaito may be checked to ensure that they are safe. If you need to buy equipment, hakama, obi, dogi and iaito can be purchased through your instructor.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE ABLE TO DO IAIDO?
Any martial art takes a long time, but you can expect to be able to do the basics (drawing, cutting, cleaning the blade and sheathing) within a few weeks. To attain perfection, however, can take a lifetime. As a famous Japanese proverb goes, "Senri-no michi-mo ippo kara" which means that "Even a thousand mile journey must start with one step." Training is a long but enjoyable voyage, taken together with other members of the dojo, all of whom want to help each other.
ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAINING IN IAIDO?
No. Seishinkan Iaido have members of all ages ranging from 13 through to 68 years of age. We have smaller people (around 142 cm) and larger people (203 cm). Many members comment that their general health definitely improved through doing Iaido, which is low impact but good exercise. If you have any specific conditions, please talk to the teacher. We have both men and women training.
In the early 1800's Issai Sato wrote a quote applicable to training in Iaido:
"Those who train when they are young will rise to greatness.
Those who train in maturity will preserve their vigor in old age.
Those who train when old will live eternally."
Those who train in maturity will preserve their vigor in old age.
Those who train when old will live eternally."
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