about

What is Iaido?

Iaido is the art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword. It is one of the oldest traditional sword arts in Japan. For nearly 450 years, since the founding of iaido by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu in present-day Murayama City, Tateoka, Yamagata Prefecture, this technique has been passed from one generation to the next in an unbroken succession of teachers and students. The Oklahoma City Dojo practices Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and follows the teachings of the 22nd Soke, Ikeda Takashi-soke.

The Oklahoma City Dojo's purpose is to directly transmit all aspects of iaido to the next generation as faithfully and correctly as possible. This includes many elements of both Japanese martial arts and culture, ranging from swordsmanship techniques to traditional dress and etiquette.

450 year tradition

OUR LINEAGE

The OKC Iaido Dojo is headed by Edward Smith-sensei, 6 Dan. He began his study of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (MJER) in 2007 under Susan Burke-sensei, 7 Dan Renshi. She began studying iaido in 1997 under John Ray-sensei, 8 Dan Hanshi and Kancho of The Dojo, Denton, TX. In 2004, Susan Burke-sensei moved to Oklahoma and founded the Oklahoma City Dojo. This dojo has held practices at The Farm (a rural training ground outside of Oklahoma City) and within Windsong Dojo.

Through John Ray-sensei the Beikoku Tendai Iaido Kai of North American MJER iaido dojo, an organization that includes the Oklahoma City Dojo, maintain a direct connection to our roots in Japan. This organization receives regular instruction from Tanida Hiroshi, 10 Dan Hanshi and Kancho of the Chiba Dojo, Chiba, Japan. Tanida-sensei visits the North American dojo yearly to provide instruction and administer grading exams. Tanida-sensei receives his instruction from Ikeda Takashi-soke, the 22nd hereditary head of the Seitokai​ lineage of MJER.

our teachers and students

WHO ARE WE?

Our dojo is excited to meet you!
はじめまして! よろしくお願いします!
​Edward Smith - Kancho, 6 Dan
Cooper Morris - 2 Dan
Christopher Lentz - 2 Dan
​Rob Dilworth - Dangai
​Ron Hill - Dangai
​David Dunlap - Dangai
Laura Bellingar - Dangai
​Jared Bellingar - Dangai
Janine McKissick - Dangai

Retired Kancho
Susan Burke - 7 Dan Renshi
​Tristan Kepsel - 6 Dan
All grades are awarded through the Soke in Japan

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let's begin, shall we?

SCHEDULE & LOCATION
Saturday
1:30pm — 3:30pm
Events and Other Practices
​as scheduled
Oklahoma City Iaido
Beikoku Tendai Iaido Kai
Windsong Dojo
2201 W I 44 Service Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

OKC Iaido (918) 935-8364
Windsong Dojo (405) 943-6246

OUR AFFILIATES