Heijoshin Dojo

Niten Ichi Ryu Some of the demonstration of Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu at the 49th All Japan Kobudo Demonstration, February 1st, 2026.

A huge thank-you to HNIR Malta for hosting a wonderful seminar.

Happy 11th birthday, Shinbōshin Dojo 辛抱心道場! May you have many more broken knuckles, bruises and birthdays!

Happy birthday Shinbōshin Dojo, turning 11!

Thank you to all those who have studied and supported at the Dojo over the years.

Our utmost thanks to Kajiya sensei, the Niten family in the UK & abroad and to the students with their continued perseverence and efforts in keiko. 🙏

The artwork, 有構無構 - 'Ukou Mukou' (The form of no form). In English; the form of no form is a very important teaching written in the Gorin no Sho's water scroll chapter. With this important principle we try to embody in our continued practice.

Happy Birthday Mark! 🤖

At the end of an excellent Canadian seminar back in May 2005, Iwami Toshio Harukatsu, the then-headmaster of Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu indicated that we should set up a kenjutsu dojo in the UK. My reply was that "I'd like to do that someday" only to quickly realise that it wasn't a suggestion for some time in the future.

Two weeks later, we had our first formal practice. Supported by lots of local budo friends, it was chaotic but incredible. We simply referred to ourselves as HNIR-UK.

A year later, I was at Iwami-soke's dojo in Kitakyushu earning (through pain) the Dojo's new name (Heijoshin). Not long after this, we found an old warehouse and we converted it into our martial home.

Twenty years later, we're still kicking around. We practice kenjutsu under Takanori Kajiya, the 12th head of HNIR, and iaido under the auspices of the The British Kendo Association (along with a few other things) and we couldn't be happier. Some of the old guard are still with us after all these years and I'm honoured that we've managed to bring Japanese swordsmanship into the lives of so many people, and in return, have received their friendship.

A huge shoutout to instructors Nigel Ryder and Chris Gell for all their help in running the dojo and everything they do in helping keep me sane. Next year, I'll definitely need it when we build our new dojo.

This year marks 41 years since I first entered a dojo, but the last 20 have been the most important. The training, the laughs, the pain, the travel and the crazy stories are all down to Heijoshin Dojo and the loonies that inhabit it. You guys and girls are the greatest.

A huge thank-you to all who have either passed through our doorway or given us their friendship over the years.

Much love,

Scott
Heijoshin Dojo

Congratulations to our new nidan iaidoka, Aaron!!

Happy Birthday to our sensei Scott!
Due to his job he gets to travel a lot - some will try and argue this is ai.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

Happy Birthday Chris!

Terrible technique, Mr Trump. See me after training for a stern word.

HEIJO-BOWLING! 🎳✨
Place your bets for most incompetent!