Mugai Ryu

Mugai Ryu Iaido is an old, authentic martial art of the Samurai. It was founded 1693 and passed down the generations. The style has a deep connection to Zen Buddhism and has a plain beauty with direct efficient techniques and a characteristic calmness and sharp attention.

Founder of Mugai Ryu

The dojos in the Mugai Ryu Europe federation teach Mugai Ryu Meisha Ha under grandmaster, Niina Toyoaki Gyokudo Soke.
Inyoshin Dojo is the official representative for the whole of the UK.
Mugai Ryu is an open and inclusive style giving everybody an opportunity to train. Everyone is welcome to train without prejudice.
Mugai Ryu Iaido Training contents are Kata, Kumitachi and Tameshigiri. The training takes place in a quiet and respectful atmosphere.
The students will be taught Bushido as a way of self-development. Also known as the way of Zen.
Mugai Ryu Iaido is “cutting Iai”. All techniques have to cut and must be effectively usable in real fight situation. This demand is nowadays rarely seen in other Iaido schools.

David Jackson, demonstrating Mugai Ryu

Kata (Forms) are trained with real swords. Until the Master degree, or Dan level, Iaito are used. Iaito are training Katana made of steel, but not sharpened. Kata training helps the Iaidoka to work on his posture, charisma and presence.
After gaining some experience, Kumitachi (actual combat) will be taught, using Bokuto (wooden swords).

The last aspect is Tameshigiri, the cutting test, in which the student learns to cut with a real sword. This is comparable to the breaking test of unarmed martial arts.