Introduction

Welcome to the website for Clear Lake Iaido, representing the main line of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (MJER) Iaido in Houston, Texas.  We are members of MJER Seitokai Association of Japan.  The 22nd consecutive Soke (head master) of our ryu (style) is Ikeda Takashi Seiko Sensei, who is also the president of the Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei (ZNIR, All Japan Iaido Federation).  Our dojo is located in the greater Clear Lake area South of Houston, in Friendswood, Texas.  See What is Iaido? link above for more information on Iaido.

Our dojo is directly connected with John Ray Sensei, Hachidan (8th dan) Kyoshi (teacher), who heads The Dojo, in Denton, Texas, and through him with Tanida Sensei, Hanshi (master teacher) Kyudan (9dan) of Chiba City, Japan.

Location

Practices are held at the Sundance Yoga Studio which is located at the SW corner of FM 518 & FM 2351 in Friendswood, Texas, in the same shopping center as Ace Hardware.  Look for us waay back in the corner alley next to the driving school.    See address under Dojo Location in side bar; also see link to map. 

Yoga classes and equipment for beginner to advanced students are also available at the studio.  Contact Valerie Immore via her web site for more information about yoga.

Fees

As of 2011 November 1 the monthly fee for Iaido is $65/month. In addition there is a yearly fee for membership in the MJER Seitokai Association of Japan.

Equipment

Prospective students need to consult with the instructor before purchasing equipment.   Not all equipment advertised as suitable for Iaido are appropriate for MJER.

Beginners should wear loose comfortable clothing; gradually acquiring hakama (wide pants), uwagi (jacket), obi (belt), juban (under jacket), and iaitou (non-edged aluminum alloy sword) as finances permit.  Loaner obi and bokutou (wooden katana) are available for use in class.

Practice with sharp swords of any kind by beginners is never allowed.  Eishin-Ryu forms are fraught with danger for a beginner using a sharp sword.  Bokutou (wooden katana) or iaitou  are permitted. Talk with the instructor or other senior members before buying a sword.

Other Information

The kancho (dojo leader), Emily Egan, is renshi rokudan (instructor license, 6th dan), and has been practicing MJER since 2000.

Acceptance into the class is at the discretion of the kancho.

Students must be at least 13 years old.

Practices are generally quiet and the training is intensive.

There is no sparring.  Practice consists of solitary kata. Paired forms are only practiced at advanced levels.

No prior experience is necessary.

Visitors are welcome to quietly watch a class.  Prospective students are invited to watch, or to participate in a class before deciding to join.