Seishinkan Iaido Melbourne

Seishinkan Iaido was started in January 1993, originally as a subsidiary of the Meishinkan Dojo, until Kimura Kancho's death in January, 1999. Seishinkan practises the waza (forms) in exactly the same way that they were taught by Kimura Kancho, with the objective of preserving the art.

Seishinkan Iaido is based in Australia, with dojos on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Queensland; in Sydney, New South Wales; and in Melbourne, Victoria. Seishinkan Iaido has a dojo in Tokyo, Japan and two dojos in the United States of America, in Alburquerque, New Mexico and in Mary Esther, Florida.

The style of iaido practised in Seishinkan is Musou Jikiden Eishinryu, and it is the only dojo in Australia affiliated with the All Japan Iaido Federation (the “Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei”). The All Japan Iaido Federation is headed by His Imperial Highness Munenori Kaya.

The head of Seishinkan Iaido, Glenn Stockwell Kancho, is the first non-Japanese in history to receive the rank of 7th Dan from the All Japan Iaido Federation, having completed all requirements including the Japanese written examination. The Dojo is the only division of the Federation based outside of Japan, as the “Australian Division”. Students of Seishinkan are able to compete in the Kyoto Championships each year, which is recognised as the World Championships for the art.

Glenn Stockwell Kancho was trained directly by Meishinkan's Yasuyoshi Kimura Kancho (“Juudan Hanshi" – 10th Dan Grand Master) in Osaka. Seishinkan Iaido was started in January 1993 by Glenn Stockwell, originally as a subsidiary of the Meishinkan Dojo, until Kimura Kancho's death in January, 1999. Seishinkan practises the waza (forms) in exactly the same way that they were taught by Kimura Kancho, with the objective of preserving the art.