The Buddhist Temple of Chicago (BTC) Iaido Dojo is one of the oldest iaido dojos in Illinois practicing Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido. We are affiliated with the Nippon Iaido Renmei — one of five oversea branches. Our lineage holder (Soke) is Toshiro Shimizu sensei at Eishin-kan in Kokura, Japan. We also have a strong tie to Eishin-kan.
BTC Iaido Dojo practices Muso Jikiden Eishin ryū iaido (無双直伝英信流) which first originated in a similar form close to 450 years ago, founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信) (1542-1621). Muso Jikiden Eishin ryū can trace an unbroken lineage from the 16thcentury to the early 20thcentury.