Keen interest on Iaido

[BPLizard]

I have recently seen a short persentation of Iaido on the History Channel and immediately fell in love with the art. I have always been interested in Japan and its rich culture. I want to take up Iaido. I live in the San Bernardino area in Southern California and I'm looking for a dojo within the vicinity.
I'm 35 years old and thinking whether its too late for me to take up Iaido. Do they have an age limit? I have taken up Karate for about less than a month when I was in my early teens, monetary reason got in the way. That was the full extent of my martial arts background.
Thank you very much in advance for your reply.

[Khabbi]

Im sorry to say that 34 ½ is the age limit in Iaido , so you just missed it by 6 months , Noooo just kiddin , There is no age limit in Budo :smiley:

Find a dojo quick and start training

[Ralutin]

I have recently seen a short persentation of Iaido on the History Channel and immediately fell in love with the art. I have always been interested in Japan and its rich culture. I want to take up Iaido. I live in the San Bernardino area in Southern California and I'm looking for a dojo within the vicinity.
I'm 35 years old and thinking whether its too late for me to take up Iaido. Do they have an age limit? I have taken up Karate for about less than a month when I was in my early teens, monetary reason got in the way. That was the full extent of my martial arts background.
Thank you very much in advance for your reply.

Hi,

As far as I know, there's no upper age limit for iaido. I've known of some kendo sensei in their 50's, 60's and even 70's who have just started iaido. I personally know a couple of kendo sensei who began their kendo training in their 40's.

In regards to iaido in San Bernardino, I don't know of any dojo in that immediate area. You're most likely going to have to drive out to L.A., Orange or San Diego County to find a dojo.

You may visit this website for more information on the Southern California Iaido Association (SCIA):

http://groups.msn.com/scia

You can also find links to other sword schools in Southern California on this page within the SCIA website:

http://groups.msn.com/SCIA/otherswordschools.msnw

Please feel free to PM me on this forum or drop me an e-mail on the SCIA website if you have anymore questions.

[Kusarigama]

There are several Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo Study Groups in the Southern California Area.

Here is our website:

http://suioryu-usa.org/

[Richie224]

You will find that some of Japan's leading sensei only started Iai in their forties. In the ZNKR you can only take hachi dan (8th Dan) after your 47th Birthday. As previous posts have stated there is no age limit in starting!

[BPLizard]

Thank you very much for all the responses. The links are very helpful. I really hope that I'll be able to find a dojo that is more accessible from our place. LA is 55 - 60 miles and San Diego is about 125 miles away.

[893 fingerless]

Contact Brian Morrision on www.seirokan.inuk.com (http://www.seirokan.inuk.com) you can email him from there,
I know that he has links with Iai dojo's in the California area
good luck and wecome to the Iai world
also have alook at www.eikoku-roshukai.com (http://www.eikoku-roshukai.com)

893............

[Ralutin]

Contact Brian Morrision on www.seirokan.inuk.com (http://www.seirokan.inuk.com) you can email him from there,
I know that he has links with Iai dojo's in the California area
good luck and wecome to the Iai world
also have alook at www.eikoku-roshukai.com (http://www.eikoku-roshukai.com)

893............

Hi,

Which iaido dojo(s) is Morrison sensei linked with here in California? The Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu groups I know of are Diamanstein sensei's group in Berkeley (Northern), California and Shimabukuro sensei's group in San Diego (Southern), California. I didn't seem to find any information on either of the sites that you listed.

[chidokan]

not sure if Brian is actually linked with California, thought he went to the Miami area on holiday! I do remember him saying it was MJER linked to an aikido dojo though. I'll ring him and find out. You could try on e-budo.com, lots of U.S. people write on that site, and they are pretty good at spotting the dodgy places not to go to! Just ask and they'll have a debate on it... :rolleyes: If not try the local kendo dojos, someone somewhere will know an iaido guy....