EISHINJUKU DOJO
NOTTINGHAM UK
Autumn Dojo Leader Update
Last practice before Autumn closure is 10th September. First practice when we restart is 10th December.
I am very lucky to be able to go to my teachers in Japan once or twice a year for an extended period to build my understanding, improve my skills and maintain my credibility as an instructor. I'm grateful for the patience and understanding of dojo members whilst classes are suspended.
Attendance has naturally been low during the summer but there has been a great atmosphere in the dojo whilst we've been working on fundamentals with the shinai and the bokuto.
Eishinjuku Dojo didn't restart Iaido and Jodo practices after Covid for a number of reasons. Most important amongst those is that it's generally not appropriate to practice on any long term basis without a formal teacher. (This can be contentious amongst practitioners who don't have formal teachers). Our practice previous to this was approved and encouraged as we started jodo from scratch and developed our training over a ten year period. I restarted formal Iaido practice three years ago under Martin Clark at Kenyukan Suffolk which is a recognised Muso Shinden Ryu dojo under Ishido Sensei in Japan. I now have permission to start practices in Iaido and Jodo for Eishinjuku members, although there are many practical issues to overcome before this can become a reality. This is exciting news for people who want to practice kendo and iaido or kendo and jodo in the East Midlands. I make no claims about my own abilities but you can be assured I am being taught and mentored by one of the best instructors in the UK with the back up of a great teaching team and the best support from Japan.