Shin Bu Kan Warwickshire is one of a number of Muso Shinden-Ryu Iaido Dojo founded by Sensei Victor Cook, 7th Dan Renshi. Our family spreads across the country, however Shin Bu Kan dojo can also be found in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
The Warwickshire dojo started in 2013 and is led by Jon Coupe, 3rd Dan. The dojo runs a class once a week on Thursdays, 7:30pm, in the village of Wellesbourne. Honbu (Head Dojo) seminars lead by Cook Sensei are also available in Brighton, once every other month.
Iaido (ee-eye-doh) roughly translates into the way of drawing and cutting with the sword. This is a Japanese martial art (or Budo) and is relatively young in the UK, only being brought to these shores in the late 70’s.
Whilst training Iai, Iaidoka will learn how to control the sword through diligent and disciplined practice of Kata and their associated techniques. There is next to no sparing aspect in Iai as the use of swords renders this unsafe. However every now and then it is appropriate to clash bokken in order to make sure a technique works as it should. The aim is to have perfect technique and achieve kata that not only look real to a spectator, but feel like a real event to the Iaidoka where one truly is fighting for their life.
Through studying Iai, students learn discipline, etiquette and are welcomed into a family that spans far further than the walls of the dojo. There is also a philosophical undertone to Iaido where the student can use the lessons learned in the dojo to in-rich ones everyday life and relationships.
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