Nou-Shin-Kan Dojo

‘Aikido & Iaijutsu in Herefordshire’

Welcome!

Nou-Shin-Kan which means, ‘Farm, Heart, Place’ is a permanent, purpose-built dojo which is dedicated to the practices of the martial arts of Aikido & Iaijutsu in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, 8 miles north of Leominster.

 

Address:

Pole Farm House,

Leysters,

Herefordshire,

HR6 0HP

Class Times:

Thursday:

Aikido: 7-9pm

Iaijutsu: 9-10pm

THE FIRST CLASS IS FREE!

Beginners and visiting Aikidoka welcome!

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About us!

Nou-Shin-Kan dojo was named by Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei 7th Dan Aikikai so Hombu, founder and chief instructor of Boulder Aikikai, Colorado, USA. The naming our dojo reflects the place where we train – a large, warm, safe former farm barn with friendly atmosphere, generally having an even mix of men and women ranging from 18 to 60+ years old.

Nou-Shin-Kan practices and teaches traditional Aikido. This is Aikido laid down by the founder Morihei Ueshiba (also known as O Sensei) and focuses on martial principles rather than sport or competition.

  • Nou-Shin-Kan is a member of Aikido for Daily Life (ADL) and affiliated to the British Aikido Board (www.bab.org.uk), the governing body for Aikido in the UK.  All our instructors hold coaching certificates, first aid certification, and are insured through the British Aikido Board.

  • It is also a member of the United Kingdom Aikikai (UKA).  The UKA is the one of very few numbers of organisations recognised by the Aikikai Foundations (World Aikido Headquarters) with all their principles and instructors receiving recognition directly from Japan.  The UKA was formed in 1986 and includes members who have been practicing since Aikido first arrived in the UK in the 1960s.

  • Nou-shin-Kan is a not-for-profit club, surplus funds are used to maintain and grow the club to benefit its members.

Nou-Shin-Kan is the UK's first branch of Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu (https://shinkageryu-sanobudokai.com/en/home-3/), under the tutelage of Yoshio Yamamoto Sensei, grandmaster of the Sano Budokai, Japan.  We traditionally train with either a wooden training sword (bokuto), or live blade (shinken). Safety of self and others is our top priority, but we also try to instil a sense of realism and dynamic movement. The iaijutsu kata we perform, displays all the practical elements and mental fortitude of Iai practice.  It also provides an excellent path to self-development and a way to refine and condition the body, mind and spirit.

Dan Easton Sensei

Our chief instructor is Daniel (Dan) Easton. He currently holds the rank of 4th Dan through ADL and 1st Dan with the Aikikai, Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.

He has been practicing Aikido for over 15 years initially studying with Piers Cooke Sensei (7th Dan), who started practicing Ki Aikido under Sensei Ken Williams in 1982, but now also with Philip Smith Shihan (7th Dan), who began his Aikido career in 1968 and became a student of T.K. Chiba (a direct student of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba) in 1970.

Dan Sensei has also achieved 2nd Dan in Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu, which he has been studying for the last 5 years – a relatively unknown style of Iaijutsu (the art of drawing the Japanese sword) that was practiced by Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei). Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu is a branch of Shin Shin Muso Shinkage-ryu (http://shinkageryu-budoujyo.com/) and includes both armed and unarmed combat in its curriculum. This koryu (ancient school) served the Imperial family as bodyguards in the past, which earned them the unique honour of incorporating the Imperial Chrysanthemum as part of their own crest. Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu proudly continues this illustrious tradition and embodies the samurai ethos in all aspects of its practice. We emphasise proper etiquette and bearing, befitting our position in Japanese society, and lethal efficacy when executing our duties  Although, undoubtedly, there are many other koryu of note to learn martial arts from, we believe that Shinkage-ryu is the closest approach to the experience of what is to be a samurai. The ethos, attitude, conduct, etiquette and movement, all reflect a strong sense of mind and duty.