Ji Kai Iaido: What is it please?

[Kaoru]

Hello everybody,

I just ran across this dojo while doing a search, saying they teach Ji kai Iaido.

Main page:

http://home.comcast.net/~ji_kai_iaido/

Page explaining the art:

http://home.comcast.net/~ji_kai_iaido/about.htm

There is no real explanation of it other than this:

Ji Kai Iaido is the Japanese sword art segment of Ji Kai Martial Arts.

And, they say they have connections with Kuniba-soke, but there is no lineage of the Ji Kai.

They only talk about the Kuniba-ha Iaido, but that is not what they teach, so... I'm a little confused.

Does anyone know what this is? I know of someone wanting to study Iaido in Alabama, and I want to send them to a dojo that has proven lineage with a qualified teacher. And, I know absolutely nothing about this dojo or Ryu.

So, if someone could shed some light on this for me, I'd be appreciative of it.

Thank you very much!

[Charles Mahan]

Apparently they are now part of Shimabukuro-sensei's organization.

From their website:
http://home.comcast.net/~ji_kai_iaido/sensei.htm

Breaking News:


I am pleased to announce Ji Kai Iaido is also an authorized Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu study group
under Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai USA and Shimabukuro Masayuki Hanshi.
We will be under the guidance of Carl Long Sensi for this study group.

We are also pleased to announce we are now members along with Ji Kai Martial Arts of the International Matsumura Seito Society under Dave Shelton Soke.

[Andy Watson]

Bokken (wooden sword) and iaito (non sharp swords) are the swords used in our classes. The only time sharp swords (shinken) are used is when tameshigiri (cutting) is done. This is only achieved by the highest ranks and under very controlled and safe conditions

Good to know that the first time a student will ever hold a shinken it will be to hack through some straw!

[pgsmith]

Good to know that the first time a student will ever hold a shinken it will be to hack through some straw!
That's the way it's done in hundreds of Toyama ryu, Jikishin Kai, and Shinkendo dojo around the world. As long as the instructors are part of a larger organization that ensures that he knows what he's doing, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with it. I personally know a lot of folks that started out this way, and they don't seem to have come to any lasting harm from it. :)

Carolyn,
I've heard of this group before, and they seem to be sincere in their efforts. There are also a couple of Shinkendo dojo in Alabama in Burmingham and Huntsville.

[Shimura]

Gene Gabel and his group in Mobile are indeed a sincere, and fairly good group of JSA practitioners. I'm personal friends with Gene, and it is true that their dojo is now an affiliate of the Jikishinkai organization. I have also have had the pleasure of training Gene, and training with Gene in MJER Iaijutsu here at Big Green Drum.

He's explained to me before the whole Ji Kai Iaido thing, under Kuniba-ha, but I don't know the exact details. However, as I mentioned before they are an official Jikishinkai affiliate under Long Sensei and Shimabukuro Hanshi, so if your looking to get some good training and get your foot in the door with iaijutsu, then Ji Kai Iaido is a good place to go.

[ScottUK]

Good to know that the first time a student will ever hold a shinken it will be to hack through some straw!Hehe, some of us 'hack'... :D

[Gene Gabel]

I composed a long explantion to you on a p.m. but your box is full..If you are still interested you may email me you email address and I will copy it over to you.

thanks for your interest
Gene Gabel