About the Establishment of the Seishūkai Dōjō

 The Seishūkai Dōjō was formally established in January 2025 (Reiwa 7) with the purpose of faithfully preserving and transmitting the Eishin-ryū Iaijutsu, which has been carefully safeguarded and handed down for generations at the Meibukan Dōjō.

Although our organization was newly founded as a formal association, the techniques and spirit of Iaijutsu we uphold are rooted in the teachings passed down from the 17th headmaster Ōe Masaji, the 18th headmaster Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei, the 19th headmaster Kouno Kanemitsu Sensei, and the 20th headmaster Onoe Masamitsu Sensei.

At the time of this dōjō’s establishment, we were entrusted with a profound wish from the family of the late 20th headmaster, Onoe Masamitsu Sensei, including his wife, Onoe Ryouko, who expressed a strong desire: “We sincerely hope that the Iaijutsu which has been carefully inherited at Meibukan Dōjō will be passed down securely to future generations.”

The intentions and encouragement of the 21st headmaster, Katou Kazumasa Sensei, who directly received the full transmission (zenden) from Onoe Masamitsu Sensei, have also been a source of great inspiration and strength in the founding of this dōjō.

It is upon these bonds and convictions that the Seishūkai Dōjō was established to preserve and transmit the Eishin-ryū Iaijutsu as a traditional martial art for future generations.

The Meibukan Dōjō has a distinguished history as a place where the art and spirit of Iaijutsu were passed down under the guidance of the 18th headmaster Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei, the 19th headmaster Kouno Kanemitsu Sensei, and the 20th headmaster Onoe Masamitsu Sensei. Many esteemed instructors, including Itō Sensei, 

 Odajima  Sensei, and Katou Sensei, have contributed to nurturing and honoring Iaijutsu at Meibukan Dōjō.

At the Seishūkai Dōjō, we continue to receive guidance and support from instructors and individuals deeply connected to Meibukan, and we strive to faithfully preserve the teachings handed down through the generations.

Though our association is newly founded, the Iaijutsu we practice has been passed down in an unbroken line through the 17th headmaster Ōe Masaji, the 18th headmaster Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei, the 19th headmaster Kouno Kanemitsu Sensei, the 20th headmaster Onoe Masamitsu Sensei, and the 21st headmaster Katou Kazumasa Sensei. We are devoted to preserving, transmitting, and researching the true art in its authentic form, maintaining its legitimate lineage and traditional documents, including makiden (scroll transmissions), seals, and kaimeisho (explanatory manuscripts).

On the Origins of Meibukan Dōjō and the Philosophy of “Seishū”

As we have been given the opportunity to study the history handed down within the Meibukan Dōjō tradition, our dojo has been taught that the term “Seishū” was highly valued by Kōno Kanemitsu as an ideal of martial cultivation, and that it also became one of the fundamental principles behind the establishment of the Meibukan Dōjō.
In fact, the word “Seishū” remains preserved in records and historical materials related to Meibukan.
 The term “Seishū” literally means “to refine and cultivate with precision and care.” It represents the philosophy of deeply studying principles, rigorously refining martial techniques, and sincerely preserving and cultivating tradition.
Within Meibukan, it has also been taught under this philosophy of “Seishū” that one should “review, polish, and diligently refine correct technique, while aspiring toward the true path of iaidō.”
It is said that Meibukan Dōjō was not established merely for the purpose of creating a dojo as a physical institution or place. Rather, it was founded as a place through which the spirit of “Seishū,” cultivated through Kōno Kanemitsu Sensei’s martial training and ideals, could be upheld and carried forward.
In other words, the idea was not that a philosophy should arise for the sake of a dojo, but that a place should exist for the purpose of upholding and pursuing the spirit of “Seishū.”
Furthermore, “Seishū” itself is regarded as one of the core foundations of Meibukan, and within Meibukan various teachings and expressions have been handed down, including the phrase “Ruidai Senshi Ikkyō” (“Teachings Left by the Successive Masters”).
At first glance, each of these teachings may appear to carry different meanings. However, it is understood and transmitted that at their foundation lies the philosophy of “Seishū,” and that by studying and deepening one’s understanding of “Seishū,” these individual points gradually become connected.
Though I remain inexperienced, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn such history and traditions from the teachers and those connected to our predecessors who have guided and supported our dojo. I sincerely hope to continue devoting myself to further study and training in the years ahead. 

Instruction Transmitted from Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei to Masamitsu

※ The following has been written only within the limits deemed appropriate for public sharing, with the hope that it may serve both as one aspect of our dōjō’s understanding and as material for study and research for others.
Please also understand that the contents recorded herein do not represent the entirety of the tradition, but only a portion thereof. ※

Among the teachings directly imparted by Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei to Masamitsu, there remains within our dōjō an important principle that has been carefully preserved.
Yamauchi Sensei is said to have instructed Masamitsu as follows:
“Train diligently in the Shoden, Chūden, and Okuden (Seiza no Bu, Tatehiza no Bu, and Oku Iai). Repeat them again and again.”
It is said that throughout his life, Masamitsu would often speak of Yamauchi Sensei’s guidance with deep gratitude, saying that he had “received truly invaluable instruction.”
In budō, there is often a tendency to believe that the deepest essence, or gokui, exists somewhere distant and separate from ordinary training, leading practitioners to seek unusual secrets or extraordinary variations. Yet one of the teachings passed down in our dōjō from Yamauchi Sensei was simply this: to continue polishing the Shoden, Chūden, and Okuden sincerely, through endless repetition.
Within such steady accumulation of practice, natural principles and truths gradually reveal themselves and, in time, become embodied within the practitioner.
This may be understood as deeply connected to the spirit of “Seishū” that was transmitted from Kōno Kanemitsu to Masamitsu, and from Masamitsu to our dōjō.
Furthermore, this teaching may be said to represent the very foundational attitude of the former Meibukan.
“This dōjō, Meibukan, is a place for studying the Eishin-ryū taught to us by Yamauchi Sensei. We do not draw the sword for our own names or reputation. We draw the sword so that the iai entrusted to us may be shown to Yamauchi Sensei — so that it may be offered back to him.”
Within these words remains the spirit of “hōon” — repaying one’s debt of gratitude — that once stood at the heart of the old martial traditions.
One does not draw the sword for personal fame, but so as not to tarnish the teachings received from one’s predecessors.
One continues to polish the forms that were taught with sincerity, and through that iai, responds to the teacher who entrusted them.
It may be said that the steady accumulation of such an attitude formed the very spirit and character of Meibukan.
To cultivate deeply the techniques that have been transmitted.
Not to glorify oneself, but to continue training so as not to disgrace one’s teacher.
Within such a humble and solemn path, the spirit of iaidō cherished by Meibukan was deeply engraved.

 About Katou Kazumasa Sensei 

Katou Kazumasa Sensei, who received the full transmission (zenden) directly from the 20th headmaster Onoe Masamitsu Sensei, has devoted himself to the study of martial arts—including kendo and iaido—since his student days. Alongside instructors such as Odajima Sensei, he supported Onoe Masamitsu Sensei in his later years. Even after inheriting the full transmission, Katou Sensei continued to uphold Onoe Masamitsu Sensei’s guiding words: “Preserve this Iaijutsu with great care and pass it on faithfully.” He has devoted himself sincerely to maintaining these teachings. His instruction in technique is notably rigorous, often emphasizing: “Never cover for your mistakes with speed. Moving quickly is not, in itself, bad. What is essential is to perform every motion properly and precisely—even with speed.” This teaching reflects the principle that “true speed comes only from executing every necessary movement fully and correctly, without omission or shortcuts.” It embodies the very essence of Iaijutsu and has been carefully preserved as a core philosophy. Katou Sensei has maintained the art of Iaijutsu passed down from the 17th headmaster Ōe Masaji, the 18th headmaster Yamauchi Toyotake Sensei, the 19th headmaster Kouno Kanemitsu Sensei, and the 20th headmaster Onoe Masamitsu Sensei, without affiliating himself with any other school or organization. He has treated this art with utmost respect and dedication, safeguarding it faithfully to the present day. 

A Traditional Precept Preserved in Our Dōjō

 “The Transmission of Eishin-ryū and the Budō Research Section” 

In the course of earnest and profound deliberations, Kanemitsu Kono Shihan is recorded to have expressed the following teaching: 

“One must revere the teachings of the successive masters, and devote oneself wholly to their path, without harboring a divided mind.” 

For a more detailed account, we respectfully invite you to refer to our Instagram publication entitled
 “Eishin-ryū and the Budō Research Section at Meibukan.”