United Kingdom Aikikai Website

Welcome to Ren Shin Kan Dojo, the centre of excellence for aikido and iaido. Thank you for your interest. RSK is the headquarters dojo (training hall) for the United Kingdom Aikikai and all the information about aikido and the National organisation is available on this site.

RSK instructors have been teaching aikido in the Black Country for over 40 years, we are now in a position to open our new dedicated dojo at 265/266 second floor, Castle Street, Dudley. It is not a money making business, it is run by the members for the members. There are no contracts or financial commitment to sign up to, you can take part as and when you wish.

You are very welcome to call in and watch any class and meet the members in the bar afterwards. If you mail with an approximate time we will have somebody meet you. You can also mail in for a free copy of our introductory DVD, just send a prepaid envelope

Class Times

Cost

For a training aikido, insurance is required and will cost £27.00 annually. Membership of the dojo will cost an additional £10 p.a. there is no charge for examinations. Junior fees are £17.00 yearly and £3.00 per class.

To get you started RSK offer a ‘taster’ beginners course for one night a week, Monday or Wednesday for 6 weeks at a cost of £30, which includes 12 months insurance. Following that a further 6 weeks tuition for an additional £30 which will include the first (optional) grading and 12 months dojo membership.

For unlimited training an up front fee of £40 per month is available, payable by standing order.

‘Anytime’ prepayed vouchers are available at a cost of £5 per night.

Single night tuition will cost £6

IA-IDO

Iai-do is the Japanese art of sword-drawing. It is different from Kendo in that it does not involve fighting as such but rather the bringing of the sword into the combat arena as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our Ia-ido classes are taught by Philip Smith, 3rd Dan Ia-ido.

To this end there are four distinct stages to each Kata or form

1. The unsheathing of the sword from the scabbard (nukitsuke)
2. The killing blow (kiri oshi)
3. The cleaning of the blade (chiburi)
4. The sheathing of the sword back into the scabbard (Noto)

All of which is done in a calm yet combative manner.

Currently at Ren Shin Kan two styles of Iai-do taught; the Setai-gata and Ko-ryu (classic style) iai-do from Shindo Munen and Muso Shinden schools.

The dojo actively competes at national level winning team “Fighting Spirit” in 2010. One of our members; Andrew Davis is not only the National Champion in 2009 & 2010 but was also part of the Gold Medal team in the 2010 European Championships.

Class Times

Costs for iai-do are an annual membership fee to the British Kendo Association of £30.00 (plus £10.00 RSK membership); otherwise fees are as above: £6.00 per night or £40.00 per month for unlimited training.