About Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu in the UK

Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu kenjutsu was first introduced to the UK in 1990 through other budo studies, but formal ties between hombu and the UK weren't formed until 1996 when Eguchi-sensei introduced Imai Masayuki, the 10th soke, to the UK. After this introduction, students travelled to Japan to practice with Imai-soke - staying at his dojo, improving their technique and bringing back this knowledge to others in the UK.

In 2003, Iwami Toshio became the 11th soke, and in 2004, a number of practitoners attended his first European HNIR kenjutsu seminar in Paris. A few years later, formal permission was given to a number of people to start practice groups and to help others who are interested in learning HNIR kenjutsu to get started in the study of this art.

Since then, a number of UK HNIR practitioners have travelled to Europe, Canada and Japan to further their understanding of Musashi's art - and now hold regular national practices (Dosokai Keiko) to help raise the standard of HNIR kenjutsu and share the knowledge that Iwami-soke has imparted on them at these national seminars and during private practice at Iwami-soke's dojo in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Our national practices continue to be held every month or so, giving each group an opportunity to practice together as a single entity, to ask questions of those who have practiced more, to allow people to study the various seiho within the school and to improve as a whole. The dates for these practices are available on our calendar page in the forum.

In July 2008, the UK Shibu held its first HNIR European Seminar, with Iwami-soke visiting along with two of his most able students for three days of practice. Attendees from all over Europe took part and the seminar was a resounding success. We look forward to inviting him back in the near future!