SEVERAL members of the Lancaster Shin-Gi-Tai Iaido Dojo, recently attended a three-day course in art of Iaido, (Japanese swordsman-ship).

The course was held in Leeds and was organised by the senior instructors of Eikoku Roshukai, (UK group). The chief instructor on the course was Iwata Norikazu, 19th generation Headmaster of the Nihon Roshukai in Japan. Iwata sensei travelled over from Japan, arriving in the UK at 5pm Thursday evening and was up and ready for teaching at 9.30am on Friday morning, which at 87 years of age, we found quite a remarkable accomplishment. The course consisted of two and a half days of tiring but excellent tuition, with a grading taking place on the Sunday. Those people grading, were each given a number on arrival and were continually assessed by Iwata sensei and the other instructors over the first two days; the formal grading then followed this. Three people from our club were grading, at the end of which Neil Robinson was awarded his 2nd Dan, Dave Renshaw and John Yuill were each awarded their 1st Dan from Iwata sensei. As this will probably the last time Iwata sensei will travel to the UK (due to his age), it was quite a memorable occasion for everyone attending the seminar.

We currently train on Wednesday evenings, at the Lancaster Red Rose Martial Arts Centre, on St George's Quay, along side the Shotokan Karate Dojo and the Bushido Kempo Ju-jitsu Dojo.

For further information, contact Neil Robinson on 07946 592776 or Dave Renshaw on 01524 733036. or visit www.redrosedojo.org.uk