Nou-Shin-Kan Dojo, Leominster, Herefordshire
Nou-Shin-Kan which means, ‘Farm, Heart, Place’ is a permanent, purpose-built dojo which is dedicated to the practices of the martial arts of Aikido & Iaijutsu in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, 8 miles north of Leominster.
Class time:
Thursday between 19.00-22.00
Daniel Easton, 4th Dan
In his own words
Our chief instructor is Daniel (Dan) Easton. He currently holds the rank of 4th Dan through ADL and 1st Dan with the Aikikai, Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.
He has been practicing Aikido for over 15 years initially studying with Piers Cooke Sensei (7th Dan), who started practicing Ki Aikido under Sensei Ken Williams in 1982, but now also with Philip Smith Shihan (7th Dan), who began his Aikido career in 1968 and became a student of T.K. Chiba (a direct student of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba) in 1970.
Dan Sensei has also achieved 2nd Dan in Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu, which he has been studying for the last 5 years – a relatively unknown style of Iaijutsu (the art of drawing the Japanese sword) that was practiced by Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei). Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu is a branch of Shin Shin Muso Shinkage-ryu (http://shinkageryu-budoujyo.com/) and includes both armed and unarmed combat in its curriculum. This koryu (ancient school) served the Imperial family as bodyguards in the past, which earned them the unique honour of incorporating the Imperial Chrysanthemum as part of their own crest. Shinkage-ryu Yamamoto-ha Iaijutsu proudly continues this illustrious tradition and embodies the samurai ethos in all aspects of its practice. We emphasise proper etiquette and bearing, befitting our position in Japanese society, and lethal efficacy when executing our duties Although, undoubtedly, there are many other koryu of note to learn martial arts from, we believe that Shinkage-ryu is the closest approach to the experience of what is to be a samurai. The ethos, attitude, conduct, etiquette and movement, all reflect a strong sense of mind and duty.