FAQ
About Online Lessons
- Can I Take the Online Lessons on My Own?
Yes, our online lessons are specially designed for single-person training. You do not require a partner to train and receive the official Dan ranks. On the flip side, taking lessons with two or more people is not a problem. Rather, you can engage in friendly competition by playing the role of each other’s opponent and checking each other’s skills.
- Can I join even if I belong to a different Ryuha style?
Yes, it’s not a problem at all. The Sensei himself has trained in more than five styles and various other weapons. If you don’t want others to know that you are participating, you can join the online lessons with your camera off. To have the Sensei check your progress, you can send us a video of you practicing.
- When are the Dan rank promotion exams held?
The online Dan rank promotion exams are held in March and September. The students will perform the required techniques over Zoom while the Senseis watch. The requirements will be available to check once you join the online lessons. The exam may be taken regardless of how long you have been training. However, it is not possible to skip a dan level. New information will be posted on our Patreon page, so to stay updated, please follow us as a free member.
- What Time is 10:30 PM JST in My Country?
Our online lessons are held on Saturdays from 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM and Sundays from 0:00 AM to 1:00 AM in Japan Standard Time (JST). Please use this website to check the time in your country. It shows multiple clocks simultaneously, showing the time in different countries.
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
- What type/color of training gear (dōgi) should I have for the training?
There are some rules for the colors. We recommend you buy them at Tozando.
You need a dōgi, hakama, inner obi (belt), and outer obi to participate in the Asayama Ichiden Ryu lessons. For the Musō Shinden Ryu lessons, the outer obi is unnecessary. The dōgi should be dark blue, the hakama should be black, and the outer must be white. The inner obi you can choose whatever color you like because it doesn’t represent anything like a karate belt. However, the black outer obi can only be tied by students who have reached a certain level, so you must choose white.
If you are having a hard time deciding, these are the recommendations.
▶︎Iaitō (zinc alloy training katana):
Byakko – Tenryu Semi-custom Iaito▶︎Dōgi and Hakama:
Basic Synthetic Kendo Uniform Set▶︎Inner Obi (any color):
Cotton Kaku Obi▶︎Outer Obi (must be white):
White Aikido ObiYou don’t have to have everything to start taking the lessons. Just a Bokutō (wooden katana) and any belt are fine to start. However, if you’re willing to participate in Dan promotion exams or online Enbu performances, you must have the correct tools and gear.
- I can’t attend the lessons because of my schedule. Is there any way I can still learn from Seki Sensei?
Even if you can’t participate in the lessons live, every class will be recorded and available to rewatch as many times as you like. With unlimited access to all past lesson videos, our online lessons are practically a massive learning resource. If you are a member, you could even send us a video of you performing the techniques to have Seki Sensei check your progress.
- I have no experience with katana, will I still be able to catch up?
Yes, anyone of any level can join our online lessons.
You don’t need any previous katana martial arts experience to participate in our lessons. Seki Sensei, the instructor of the online lessons, will carefully give you instructions on how to handle the katana regardless of your level. You will also be able to access all the videos of the previous lessons, so you can watch what every other student has learned in the past. Otherwise, if you have any questions you can send us a message anytime, and you can also send us videos of your progress and Seki Sensei will be happy to give you feedback.
- I already have a high Dan rank in ZNKR Iai. Is the class for beginners?
Our classes are for anyone of any level.
Seki Sensei, the instructor of the online lessons, is an 8th Dan Kyōshi master with experience in winning the national championship 3 times. He can teach all levels of Iaido trainees from beginners to higher Dan rank trainees. You will train together with the lower rank trainees. However, you will receive more advanced advice if your level is higher.
- What are the differences between “Asayama Ichiden Ryu” and “Musō Shinden Ryu?”
Asayama Ichiden Ryu is a Kobudo (ancient martial art with 400 years of history) with more practical and traditional skills. Musō Shinden Ryu is a Gendai-budo (modern martial art with 100 years of history) which is trained worldwide and belongs to the ZNKR Iai.
Asayama Ichiden Ryu is a comprehensive martial art with Kenjutsu, Iai (katana drawing), sickle, staff, and many other weapons. It teaches so many weapons, that there are more than 200 kata (fixed exercises) that the students must study. There are also many other techniques that have been passed down orally, and even the sensei doesn’t know how many there are in total because there are just too many. Asayama Ichiden Ryu is considered one of the few Kobudo: ancient budo martial arts that exist today because it was born before the Edo period when samurai still existed. Budo ryuha, born after the end of the Edo period (1603~1868), or in other words after Japan’s Westernization, is considered Gendai-budo: modern budo martial arts.
On the other hand, Musō Shiden Ryu is a Ryuha that is believed to have derived from the techniques created by the father of Iai, Hayashizaki Jinsuke. As it evolved through the Edo period and was completed by Nakayama Hakudo during the Taishō era, it became the basis of modern Iaido and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. However, an important point you must remember about Muso Shiden Ryu is that there are many different branches. Depending on the age of Nakayama Hakudo, what the students were taught was slightly different. So Muso Shiden Ryu used to be many different Ryuha such as Omori Ryu, Hasegawa Eishin Ryu, Musō Ryu, etc., but it was finally unified to Musō Shiden Ryu during the Showa era. In our online lessons you will be learning the version that Seki Sensei has been taught from his father, whom the student of the founder of the Ryuha taught.
- Which Ryuha style should I choose?
Completely up to you. I (Shogo, the manager this website) train both, and they’re both amazing.
Whichever you choose, we are confident that you will be satisfied with the content of the lessons, as Seki Sensei has decades of experience in both Ryuha styles. Asayama Ichiden Ryu is an ancient martial art with a history of over 400 years, so the techniques taught are more practical and traditional. However, since many of the techniques are originally practiced by two or more people, the extent to which they can be learned in online lessons is limited.
On the other hand, although Muso Shinden Ryu is only about 100 years old, it is the most populated Ryuha in the world, and its affiliation with the All Japan Swords Federation allows it to connect with a much larger number of Iaido practitioners. It also allows you to earn Dan ranks, which is recognized worldwide. Please take a look at our Youtube videos and choose the one you feel you want to do with your senses. Also, please don’t forget that there is an option of training in both styles with an $20 monthly discount.
- What is the right length of the Iaito (zinc alloy training katana) I should use?
2 blocks longer than the standard length.
Regardless of which Ryuha styles you choose of our online lessons, please purchase an Iaitō that is longer than the standard length. The standard length is what is explained here on this chart provided by our most recommended Budo martial arts goods shop Tozando. According to this chart, Seki Sensei is about 177cm, so he should use a 2.45 Shaku long katana. However, for the Asayama Ichiden Ryu and Musō Shinden Ryu training he uses a 2.6 Shaku long katana that is supposed to be used by someone who is 190cm tall. So we recommend you choose an Iaitō that is 2 blocks longer than the standard length. For example, if you are 170cm tall, please use a 2.5 Shaku long katana.
- I don’t have the training gear yet. Can I start training?
You can start training as long as you have an Obi. However, you need the whole training gear if you want to participate in the online events or training camp.
You need the Dōgi, Hakama, and inner Obi (and outer Obi in Asayama Ichiden Ryu) to train in Kobudo/Iaido. You just need the Obi and the Iaitō or Bokuto (wooden katana) to get started with the training. However, if you don’t have the full training gear you cannot participate in the online performances, Shōdan Dan promotion exams, tournaments, and training camps. Be sure to purchase everything before events are held. Our recommendation to buy these items is Tozando.