Training at Shin Bu Kan (London)
Here we study Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido set by The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei
no Gata .
The ZNKR Seitei no Gata, normally referred to as Seitei Iai, is an 'international standard' used in competition and grading regardless of the iaido school a student (iaidoka) might come from.
In Seitei Iai there are currently twelve kata or forms, four from a seated or kneeling position and eight from a standing or walking starting position.
The traditional style (koryu) of Iaido practiced, Muso Shinden Ryu, is in three levels:

Shoden: Seiza no Bu - Omori Ryu (twelve kata);
Chuden: Iai Hiza no Bu - Eishin Ryu (ten kata);
Okuden: Iai Tachi Waza (eleven kata) & Iai Suwari Waza (eight kata)


Students start training with a wooden training sword called a Bokken. It is inadvisable for a newcomer to Iaido to go and purchase clothing and equipment until certain that they wish to study it. The dojo can provide boken for initial training and loose clothing is suitable to start with. When a student has been training for a few months they then can obtain a metal training sword or iaito. These have an aluminium/zinc blade that is unsharpened. Please note that the decorative swords found in a number of High Street shops in the UK are seldom, if ever, suitable for practicing Iaido.
The dojo leader and Secretary (Fuku) will be happy to advise about what is suitable and where an iaito can be obtained from.
These days there are a large number of interenet based stores selling good quality equipment at reasonable prices (see Links ).

Jodo classes are also offered to new students.
We follow Seitei Jodo- of which to begin with there are 12 forms (kata).
These are practiced in ‘Pairs’ one student using a wooden sword ie a Bokken and
his/her partner using a Jodo Stick/pole ie a wooden stick usually made of red/white
Oakwood 128cm in length and 28mm in diameter.
Gradings and Examinations are available,

For Location, Time & Practice Sessions please see our CONTACT US page.