Video History |Class Schedule | Teaching Staff | Tuition Fees | Books

in Texas

Welcome!

We are an Iaido school affiliated with the North American San Shin Kai. Our lineage is as transmitted by Mitsuzuka Takeshi Sensei (1925-2008) who began as a direct student of Nakayama Hakudo Sensei (1869-1958) 16th successor to the Shimomura substyle of the Jinsuke/Eishin 400 year old plus line of Iaido now known as Muso Shinden Ryu.

Our mission is to provide the opportunity for serious study of a traditional Japanese sword art. Practice is intense but fun. All students (and the teacher) are expected to check their ego at the door while paying attention to safety. You will never "finish" or "perfect" your art. The value is in the process and that is the gift of a traditional Japanese martial art. By focusing on mindful practice, one can develop a personal path of lifelong study that enriches knowledge of oneself.

Everything in life worth achieving requires practice. In fact, life itself is nothing more than one long practice session, an endless effort of refining our motions. When the proper mechanics of practicing are understood, the task of learning something new becomes a stress-free experience of joy and calmness, a process which settles all areas of your life and promotes proper perspective on all life's difficulties. (The Practicing Mind - T.M. Sterner)

We host two seminars per year taught by Roger Wehrhahn Shihan, Chief Instructor for North American San Shin Kai, and direct student of Mitsuzuka Takeshi Sensei, Hachidan The North American San Shin Kai hosts an annual summer camp every August. Those interested in Iaido should contact the instructor or group leaders listed below.

Video History

Six minute video biography of Nakayama Hakudo Sensei. Nakayama Hakudo Sensei studied Omori Ryu, Muraku Ryu, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, Shindo Munen Ryu, Yamaguchi Itto Ryu and was experienced in all aspects of swordsmanship. He is the only person to have received both judan (10th degree black belt) and hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendo, iaido, and jodo from the All Japan Kendo Federation. He studied Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu in the province of Tosa, under the direction of Hosokawa Yoshimasa, 15th Soke of the Shimomura-ha, as well as, with Morimoto Tokumi, 17th Soke of Tanimura-ha. He became the 16th successor to the Shimomura-ha and it was through his efforts to organize the system including renaming it in 1933 as Muso Shinden Ryu Batto-Jutsu that have led his teachings to become known as Muso Shinden Ryu. He also received a Menkyo kaiden in Shindo Munen Ryu making him the 7th Soke of the system.

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Class Schedule

Monday Evening

• 9:00 PM - 10:15 PM Hope Stone Performing & Visual Arts Center
  1210 W. Clay #26, Houston, Texas 77019.
  (Direct entrance to Hope Stone is on east side street, Van Buren. look for sign, We are the north most studio - just outside the gate - click on this to see us on Google Maps)

Tuesday Evening

• 6:00 - 7:30 PM - Study Group session (Aikidobudokan).
  Session located at 5701 Bingle Road, Ste. B-101, Houston, Texas 77097.
  (Bingle Road at Highway 290 in the Crown Business Park and behind NW All Stars Gymnastics)

Friday Evening

• 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM Hope Stone Performing & Visual Arts Center
  1210 W. Clay #26, Houston, Texas 77019.

Scheduled Events

• Annual San Shin Kai Summer Camp
August 23-25, 2008 in the Catskill Mountains

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Teaching Staff

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Tuition Fees

The monthly fee is $40. Private lessons scheduled outside of the regular class times are possible at a rate of $75/hr (includes studio rental). Prospective students once it is decided that they will be admitted to training will pay the first three months in advance. In addition, all students are required to be members in good standing with the North American San Shin Kai (annual dues are $50 at the beginning of every year but adjusted for new members depending on the quarter in which they join NSSK). Study group session fees depend on location.

Note: Non-payment of monthly membership fee past the 15th of the month places member in non-active status and is not allowed to attend classes. Non-active status members must first talk to Hocker Sensei in order to be considered for readmission as an active member.

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Books

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