Instructors

Neil Kemp

Neil studied with sensei Don Harvey in the eary 80s, initially training in British Kendo Associaton Seitei gata iai. He acheived Godan in 1992 before leaving the BKA in 1994 to concentrate on MJER. Up to this point, Neil studied under eminent Japanese teachers such as Fuji Okimitsu, Haruna Matsuo and Oshita Masakazu. Neil was instrumental in forming Musashi UK, a self help group devoted to the practice of koryu iai and made contact with Eguchi Soshin sensei who agreed to come and teach in the UK only if his old teacher could come. This was Iwata Norikazu sensei. The sensei agreed to teach Neil and he began to travel to Japan once or twice a year to receive direct tuition. This continued up until the sensei passed away in 2011. Neil continues to be one of the few westerners to pass on the sensei’s teaching, still regularly returning to Japan to learn and maintain links with Iwata sensei’s other deshi. Neil now trains in Scotland but regular holds and attends Roshukai seminars all over the UK

Peter Ball

Peter began studying under Sensei Malcolm Copp-Taylor in the late 1980s. Following the foundation of
Musashi UK the line from the BKA moved to Iwata Sensei and Roshukai with guidance from Sensei Neil Kemp and Iwata Sensei’s deshi. He has received instruction from many senior iaidoka in the UK over the years and forged strong ties with Sensei Brian Morrson. Peter continues to practice and study the Ryu with particular focus on the method and aims of traditional koryu as passed on by Iwata Sensei.

Robert Smillie

Robert began iaido training in 1994 and studied Seitei Iaido under Sensei Peter Ball for a year before focusing on Koryu . He later received instruction from Neil Kemp and Brian Morrison Sensei . He travelled to Japan to train under Iwata Sensei in 2001 . He regularly attends and contributes to Eikoku Roshukai events throughout the UK and holds 5th Dan grade.