The Patreon Membership Page
How the Online Lessons are Held
- The link and password for the Zoom meeting will be shared through the membership-limited posts on Patreon every week
- Use the link and password to join the online lessons on Friday 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. JST/ Sunday 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. JST
- The archived video of each lesson will be posted on Patreon ASAP
What you can train
- Basic Iai techniques (katana bowing, drawing and sheathing, swinging, etc.)
- Iai Kata of Yushin Ryu Katana Skills (approximately 100 Kata)
- (Kenjutsu and Shizan mat cutting skills can be trained at the annual training camps held in Japan)
Equipment you need to take part in the online lessons
- Uchi-katana and Wakizashi Iaitō (Type* Daishō Set) OR Bokutō with sheath
- Training Gear (Dōgi, Hakama, and Obi)
(Recommended shop to buy necessary equipment: One of Japan’s best Budo goods-producing companies, Tozando)
What is “Yushin Ryu Katana Skills”
Yushin Ryu is a rare katana martial art Ryuha style that teaches three forms of katana swordsmanship: Iai (katana drawing), Kenjutsu, and Tameshigiri (mat cutting). It is a two-katana style that trains the skills of the typical Uchi-katana, shorter Wakizashi, and dual-katana wielding. The left-hand drawing/sheathing of the katana and the Women’s Iai Kata are rare techniques that are unique to this Ryuha.
Why You Should Choose Our Online Lessons
Learn Directly from the head of the Yushinkan Kyoto Dojo : Seto Yushin Sensei
Your instructor will be the young and talented Seto Yushin Sensei. He will demonstrate his amazing skills, watch you practice, give you feedback, and answer any questions you have about the techniques.
Learn Wakizashi and Two-Katana Wielding
There are more than 100 Ryuha styles in katana martial arts, but most well-known styles only train with the longer Uchi-katana. However, our style, Yushin Ryu, is a two-katana style that trains with both the Uchi-katana and shorter Wakizashi. Therefore, you can train Wakizashi skills and two-katana-style techniques.
Earning Official Dan Ranks and Participating in Training Camps/Competitions
You will be invited to our annual events for Dan rank promotion exams and Shizan (mat cutting) tournaments by joining our online lessons. We will also hold 3-day training camps before each event where you can actually train with us in person to boost your skills.
Archived Videos are Free to Rewatch Anytime
Even if you miss a class or the regular lesson time doesn’t fit your schedule, every lesson will be recorded for you to rewatch as many times as you like. Whenever you join our online lessons, you will have access to all the previous lessons to catch up to the classes anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have no experience with katana. Will I still be able to catch up?
A: You don’t need any previous katana martial arts experience to participate in our lessons. Yushin Sensei, the instructor of the online lessons, will carefully give you instructions on how to handle the katana regardless of your level. You will also be able to access all the videos of the previous lessons, so you can watch what every other student has learned in the past. You can also send us videos of your progress, and Yushin Sensei will be happy to give you feedback.
Q: What is the right length of the Iaito (zinc alloy training katana) I should use?
A:Start using one slightly longer than the standard length, and eventually, use the longest one possible. The chart to check the standard length is available on the Tozando website. Yushin Ryu aims to be able to handle the longest katana possible. Yushin Sensei uses a 2.8 Shaku katana.
Q: I don’t have the training gear yet. Can I start training?
A: You can start training as long as you have an Iaitō (Daishō) and Obi; any comfortable clothes are okay at the beginning. However, you need all the training gear if you want to participate in the online events or training camp.
Q:When are the Dan rank promotion exams held?
A: The Dan rank promotion exam is held annually in Osaka, Japan, in November/December. However, we will also be doing practice exams in May and November. The practice exam will be held online for the students to practice taking an exam. Before the official exam, we will hold a training camp in Japan to improve everyone’s skills. New information will be posted on our Patreon page, so to stay updated, please follow us as a free member.
Q:What Time is 9:00 PM JST in My Country?
A: Our online lessons are held on Fridays from 10 PM to 11 PM and on Sundays from 9 PM to 10 PM in Japan Standard Time (JST). Please use this website to check the time in your country. It shows multiple clocks simultaneously, showing the time in different countries.
Q:Can I join even if I belong to a different Ryuha style?
A: Yes, it’s not a problem at all. If you don’t want others to know that you are participating, you can join the online lessons with your camera off. To have Yushin Sensei check your progress, you can send us a video of you practicing.
