Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Ohgokai is an official branch school of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do.

The Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do Ohgokai was first established in the early 1980's and was designated as an official branch (kai) by the Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Heiho Grand Master Kimura Hekiho Masakazu of Nagoya, Japan in 1984.

It is one of the Hokushin Shinoh Ryu branch schools based in Nagoya, Japan but it is geographically located outside of Japan. It has the same status as the Japanese based schools and its Shihan, Goho Wonho Chong 8th Dan, holds a position of Suseki Shihan (next to Grandmaster in Honbu).

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Ohgokai is the only kai (school) that operates outside of Japan and all the international dojos listed on this site maintain their links to the Honbu via Suseki Shihan Goho.

OBJECTIVES
The aim of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Ohgokai is to teach traditional Koryu Iai-Do to member students world wide and to maintain a direct link to Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Honbu in Nagoya. Students of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do Ohgokai have access to:

- Dan Certificates from Japan Honbu
- Shinoh Ryu Art-name from Japan Honbu
- Instructors Certificates
- Instructor Training Courses
- Dojo Name & Registration
- Seminars (annual & special)
- Japanese Sword Studies
- Live cutting workshops
- Teaching materials, including videos
- Group travel to Japan.

DAN CERTIFICATES & ART-NAMES
Dan Certificates are issued by Honbu, after the following requirements:

- Dan Grading test conducted by Suseki Shihan
- Assessment and approval by Honbu.

A student will receive an Iai-Do Art-name when they attain 2nd Dan. This name is registered along with their 2nd Dan certificate in the Honbu records.

DOJO NAMES & INSTRUCTOR'S AUTHORIZATION
All Hokushin Shinoh Ryu 2nd Dan are eligible to become an instructor and be authorized to open a dojo of their own, subject to approval from the Honbu. They must also be affiliated with their dojo of origin. A once only fee applies to registration of a Dojo Name and an Instructor's Certificate.

The head instructor(2nd Dan) of a dojo is authorized to award Kyu Grades to their members subject to approval from Suseki Shihan.

There are two Kyu Grades

- 1st Grade: 1st 6 months or more - SHO-DANKAI
- 2nd Grade: 2nd 6 months or more - JO-DANKAI

INSTRUCTORS TRAINING COURSES
All instructors must attend training courses at least once a year, conducted by Suseki Shihan. Failure to attend these courses may cause instructors to lose their instructor's registration. At the end of a successful training course, instructors registration may be re-granted by Suseki Shihan Go-Ho. (Fee applicable)

ANNUAL & SPECIAL SEMINARS
Seminars will be conducted by Shihan at least once a year and there will be a special seminar during the year when it is request by the head Instructor of Dojo.

GROUP STUDY TRIPS TO JAPAN
Group study trips to Japan can be arranged by Shihan whenever requested by instructors. Group study trips to Japan may include: Training at the Honbu, Japanese sword-making demonstrations and other historical & cultural tours.

GRADINGS TEST
Any member who has been financial and attended class regularly for 12 months or more, holds a current Jo-Dankai grade may submit a grading test-form for a Sho-Dan Ho test direct to Shihan, but the application must be signed by their Dojo Instructor with recommendations from the Assessment Board. A testing fee of $10 must accompany the application form. (Applies to ALL gradings).

STRUCTURE OF HOKUSHIN SHINOH RYU HEIHO-HONBU

Founder (Soke)
Shinoda Ohho Masa-tsune
Grand Master
Kimura Hekiho Masa-Kazu
Master
Goho Wonho Chong
Hokushin Shinoh Ryu International

The Hokushin Shinoh Ryu International is authorised to have a branch schools out side of Japan, Unders the direction from Honbu. Only the head of the Kai is authorised to grade Dan levels. The Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Honbu will issue the Dan certificate after assessment.

The Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Organisation is also a member of the Zenkoku Iai-Do Ren Mei which is an organisation comprising of many ancient schools of Koryu Iai-Do in Japan.

This information is provided courtesy of Goho Wonho Chong,
Suseki Shihan, Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Heiho Iaido of Nagoya, Japan.

Email : hokushin email