Welcome to the Shoshinkan Dojo

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A school for classical Japanese swordsmanship training in the Nottingham and Derby areas, practising the MJER style.

Beginners and experienced students are welcome.

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Our dojo (club) was originally formed two decades ago and is well established. It came into being when a number of martial artists came together in order to practice Iaido / Iai Jutsu. It was decided from its inception that the dojo would be run by and for its members. This in turn encouraged an ethos of positive practice and mutual respect, regardless of gender, age or ability. This is an approach that has worked effectively over the years as existing members remain and new membership grows.

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Please note that we only accept students 18 years of age and above.

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The style or school of Iaido that we teach and practice is Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, sometimes abbreviated to MJER. At present the person whose teachings we follow is Iwata Norikazu Sensei. Our club or dojo name is Shoshinkan. The Shoshinkan Dojo may be seen as unusual or perhaps rare in that it is the only one in the Nottingham / Derby area that offers more than just one training session per week in an authentic Japanese sword art that has one of the oldest lineages.

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This, together with an absence of any martial arts political agenda of any kind at the club, means that correct emphasis may be placed on the following; the art, its methods and teachings, the practice and the student together in unison. This then enables the student, with help and guidance, to focus on serious practice and personal development through their own efforts in a very rewarding and enjoyable way. For newcomers to the martial arts the art of Iaido is also known by the following other names: Iai Jutsu, Batto Do, Batto Jutsu and occasionally just Iai. At the Shoshinkan Iai Jutsu Kai (clubs) we use the two terms Iaido as well as Iai Jutsu in order to describe ourselves and our martial arts activity.