Patty Heath is the current Instructor of Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu for the Big Green Drum Dojo.  She is currently a shodan in Iaijutsu and has also been studying Aikido for 11 years.

Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu is the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship which emphasizes drawing and cutting with the samurai sword (called a katana) in a single fluid motion.  Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu is a "koryu bujutsu" (which means traditional martial art) with a direct lineage back over 450 years to its founder, Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, who developed this particular style of swordsmanship.

The current and 20th headmaster of our branch of Iai-jutsu is Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, 9th dan and founder of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai (Japanese Ancient Weapons True Spirit Association).

The Jikishin-kai USA & International continues the tradition of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iai-jutsu outside of Japan under the instruction of Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi, 8th dan.  Shimabukuro Sensei is a direct student of Miura Sensei and has studied Iai-jutsu for over 25 years.  The Jikishin-kai hombu dojo emphasizes traditional practice and application of the techniques in the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu curriculum.  This curriculum encompasses the practice of waza which are solo techniques of which there are over 40, katachi or paired patterns using a wood sword called a bokken, and also tameshigiri, test cutting using a live/sharp sword on rolled mats.  These three components help the student of Iai-jutsu become aware of proper body mechanics, focus, and technique for the effective use of the sword.  In addition, the integral observance and practice of sincere etiquette make up the core curriculum of our dojo.

Iai-jutsu requires extreme precision of its techniques and demands tremendous concentration during practice-both of which ask a great deal of self-discipline and sincere personal commitment on the part of the student.  As a reward the individual is offered a lifetime of physical, mental, and spiritual growth, as well as an enlightened and peaceful state of mind.