I would like to write a series of texts on the different styles of swordsmanship that we all practice. Mainly to familiarize KIAI members with the various styles that exist, both new and old. Understanding each others styles may help us understand each other better. Each month I will study, research and write about a different style of kenjutsu\iaijutsu etc.that exists today. The first style I will be writing about is the "Eishin ryu" style of iaijutsu.
 
    This "ko-ryu" style of Iaijutsu takes it's root from the sengoku (warring states) period in Japanese history. In 1549 a man named Hayashizaki Jinsuke was born in Hayashizaki village in Okushu Dewa (modern day Murayama city, Yamagata prefecture). His father being killed in a duel, young Jinsuke was determined to avenge his father's death. He entered the local shinto shrine (Hayashizaki Jinja), and spent 100 days in prayer and constant practice developing the technique of drawing the blade to an immediate cut in one single motion that we now call "Iaijutsu or Iaido". After succeeding in avenging his father, his style of draw-cutting became known as "Hayashizaki-ryu". Over the next 50 years or so a change was evolving in the sword itself. Blades were now being made shorter and a little straighter than the tachi previously worn by the samurai class. A 7th generation successor to the Hayashizaki ryu style of iaijutsu, Hasegawa Eishin, adapted iaijutsu's techniques to the shorter "katana" sword. Becouse of his great skill and innovation in adapting the style to the shorter katana, Hayashizaki-ryu became known as Eishin-ryu and was requested by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to be demonstrated for him in his capital at Edo. Hideyoshi was so impressed with hasegawa's skill that he bestowed on him the title of "Muso ken", meaning "sword without equal". This style, wich has been passed down through the generations, is now called "Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu", or "Unequalled direct lineage Eishin style draw-cutting techniques". Sometime in the late eighteenth century a split occured in Eishin-ryu following the rapid successive deaths of the 10th and 11th grandmasters. One branch, Shimomura-ha has faded from history,  while the other branch, Tanimura-ha has survived to the present. There have been other splits, but the style has managed to resolve these differences and maintain it's integrity as Muso jikiden Eishin-ryu iaijutsu.

    The style of Eishin ryu iaijutsu has three major components: Kata (formal techniques), Tachiuchi no kurai (partner drills aka. katachi) and Tameshigiri (test cutting).  While some proponents of Eishin ryu do not practice tameshigiri, test cutting IS included in the formal syllabus of Eishin ryu iaijutsu. Eishin ryu has some 44 kata and 10 katachi. That is 54 training drills for the specific purpose of learning and mastering the art and skill of Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu.
 
    Eishin ryu iaijutsu was one of the styles brought in to help create the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei seitei Iai kata, so most Eishin ryu dojo teach the Seitei kata in addition to the Esihin ryu kata. A blend of the ancient and modern. As a wise man once said," as a family is one group with many different faces, so is all budo one art, with many different styles, we are all related".