Tozai - School of Iaido - Art McConnell

Tozai Iai Kai

Chief Instructor: Art McConnell, 5th Dan
Member of New York Budokai

What is Iaido?
Popularly known as “the art of drawing the sword”, Iaido is the contemporary legacy of the samurai of feudal Japan. A professional warrior class, both samurai men and women practiced warrior skills. Hayashizake Jinsuke Shigenobu is considered the legendary founder of Iaido as a concept and practice distinct from swordfighting in the 16th century, paralleling the development of a unified country. After Japan was finally unified under Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu early in the 17th century, the samurai combined their war skills with their interest in Zen philosophy and spiritual refinement. The combination gave samurai a venue for practicing their skills with a sense of Zen mindfulness.

(top left) Sensei McConnell cutting the Daikon from the scabbard with a 360⁰ Windpipe cut from the Jigen Ryu with assistant Mike D'Urso

Tozai Sword Club 1985

Professor Otani
Master of the Jigen Ryu

Art McConnell has trained in the Martial Art of Japan and China since the early 1960's. He is the chief instructor of the Tozai Iai Kai, graded 5th dan and licensed to teach by Master Yoshitheru Otani, founder of N.Y. Budokai.

Mister McConnell has written "The Ronin Soldiers Diary" and produced a period film called "Zen Gold" . He has taught Japanese Sword and Jodo classes for many years at the Empire State Dojo in Smithtown, NY. Teaching from Shohato' to combined spirit forms drawn from five Ryu, for self practice and competition. Video Clip

Private and Semi-Private Classes
Personal Training in
- Empty Hands and Weapons -

Periodically Cutting and Shiai
and
Zen Based Sword Forms

TRAINING LOCATION

Directions To This Location

Tozai School of Iaido
86 Terry Road • Smithtown, NY 11787
(Empire States Karate)
(1/4 miles north from Rt. 347 Nesconset Highway)

Also affiliated with
New York Budokai
http://www.newyorkbudokai.net

Mailing Address:
Tozai Company
76 School Street
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: (516) 707-2051

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