About Us

The Shin Bu Kan was founded in Brighton England, in 1977 by Vic Cook sensei to promote Iaido and Jodo on traditional lines. Its progress underwent a boost when in the August of 1979 Ishido Sensei Nanadan Iaido having paid a visit of nearly a month as a guest of the Shin Bu Kan Dojo, to promote specifically Muso Shinden Iaido to Britain agreed to become the Dojo President and Mentor.

Vic Cook Sensei Iaido Nanadan Renshi, Jodo Godan and
Yondan Kendo founder of the Shin Bu Kan Group.

 What seemed to be an incredible coincidence was that the name of the Brighton dojo was the same as Ishido sensei's own dojo in Kawasaki City in Japan, founded by his father Ishido Sadataro Iaido Hachi Dan Hanshi.

Ishido Shizufumi Sensei Iaido Hachidan Hanshi and Jodo Hachidan Kyoshi
president of the Shin Bu Kan Dojo Brighton England.

The start of the association between Kawasaki and Brighton has been a fruitful one, with Cook Sensei visiting the Shin Bu Kan Dojo in Japan on many occasions benefiting from the superlative tuition made available in Japan. Resulting in Cook sensei achieving his Nanadan (7 dan) grade in Iaido in 1999.