I don't know... The guy teaching these arts there would have to be listed on the Mugai Ryu website as an official instructor of that Ryu or at least be listed as a legit study group. Same with the Toyama Ryu. There are only a few qualified teachers of both these Ryu in the U.S. Not only that, the pose in the news article is a little wierd... Looks like a Kung Fu stance, and he hasn't a proper uniform on.
To check on this guy's qualifications to teach Mugai Ryu, look on the official Mugai Ryu website and contact the people listed on it:
http://www.iai.gr.jp/hp/english/contact.html
I didn't see his name listed so, better check!
And, I checked the official Toyama Ryu official dojo listings and this guy is not listed as a Toyama Ryu teacher. He'd have to be on here to be allowed to teach as far as I know. One can't just teach it without permission. This is the site I mean:
http://www.toyama-ryu.org/
The dojo listings link is at the bottom of the main page on this site.
You should contact Ren Kuroda of the Mugai Ryu and Tony Alvarez of the Toyama Ryu who are both on this forum for clarification of this person's qualifications to be sure. Both of them are extremely knowledgable on these Ryu and they can really help. You are likely out of luck though, on these Ryu in your area. I know for sure though, that there is legit Iaido in San Francisco. Do you want that? That is the art of drawing and cutting in one motion.
Anyway, If I was you, I would try kendo because as there is no legit Kenjutsu near you, Kendo is as close to kenjutsu you are going to get.
Don't just blow it off without at least going to a dojo and watching a practice to see what it is all about. Just visit the two dojos in Sacramento. Here:
Rancho Cordova Dojo
4016 Happy Lane
Sacramento, CA
http://www.rckendo.com/
M Th 7-9:30pm
Contact:
Mike Nakagawa
(916) 428-5677
rc_kendo@yahoo.com
----------------------------
Sacramento Dojo
Florin Buddhist Church
7235 Pritchard Road
Sacramento, CA
Tu F 7:30-9:30pm
Contact:
(916) 383-0284
sacramentokendo@yahoo.com
Be sure to call first. Don't just show up. It is good etiquette to ask permission to watch a practice to see if you would be interested in trying kendo. You don't need to bring anything but yourself dressed neatly, to the dojo to see a practice. Just give them a call and they might even let you practice on the first visit. It depends on the dojo.
Well, I hope this helps!