Iaido Association of Ireland

Dear all,
As you may have been made aware already as of today an amendment of the "FIREARMS AND OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT 1990" (SI 338 2009 Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order) has come into effect. With this order the following has been added to the list off weapons:
"the sword sometimes known as samurai or katana, other than such a sword—
(i) made before 1954, or
(ii) made at any other time according to traditional methods of making swords by hand.”.

The Iaido Association of Ireland does not provide any legal advice in this matter to anyone, but our believe is that Iaidoka training with blunt weapons are not going to be the target of this legislation. It also excludes swords which have been crafted by traditional methods, therefore all sharp swords which have been bought through an official weapons craft shop in Japan and have been issued with documentation and/or a certificate should have no issues.
Swords made before 1954 have been excluded as well and thus will make exemptions for collectors.

As President of the Iaido Association of Ireland I would recommend for all members of the IAI to carry their membership certificate with them at all times when carrying your sword to and from training. We are happy to assist our members in any matters with regards to any issues occuring because of their Iaido practice. Please contact the President or your teacher for more clarification.

Primary target of this amendment to the act are the cheap mass-produced imitation katana and I would like to disencourage all members to make use of any of these swords at all and at any time. For any legal advise or further clarification, please contact your legal advisor or the ministry of justice.

Thanks and regards,
Björn

President, Iaido Association of Ireland

On the 14th June 2009 the Bushido Iaido Club in Killkenny has held a Iaido Seminar. Having had invited all members of all the IAI affiliated Dojos 14 people followed the invitation.
Nick Johnston (San-DAN MJER) and Björn O. Fehr (San-Dan MJER) from Kenseikai Ireland Dojo in Dublin were the instructors and did their best to give all students some advice. Several forms of the Seiza set of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu where coverd, but all too soon the three hours were over.
Nick and Björn thanked the Bushido Iaido Club for the invite and presented Kevin Shortall, the Dojo Leader of the Bushido Iaido Club, with his 5th Kyu certificate. Kevin had passed his exam in February at a grading at Kensekai Ireland Dojo in Dublin.

All had the oppertunity to chat and exchange thoughts and ideas, and got to know each other better afterwards over food and drinks at a nearby Hotel. We would like to thank all participants, teacher and students alike for their attendance and would hope to see all of you again in the near future.

As previously discussed and requested, today the IAI has published its constitution on the website. The Iaido Association of Ireland Constitution and Rules (as amended on the 14/02/2009) explains in detail the aim of the organisation. We invite all members of the association to review the constitution and send their feedback to the President as well as any requests for clarification.

As of 23rd April 2009 the Iaido Association of Ireland has renewed its personal accident and public liability insurance for another year. From this date onward all three training locations of the three dojos being members of the IAI have been included in the policy. Thus Kenseikai Ireland Dojo, Masamune Ireland Dojo and Bushido Iaido Club with all its instructors and members are now covered by insurance.
Once again ABC Insurance Ltd. has been chosen to be our appointed broker and we are happy to continue the relationship with them again. The insurance is underwritten by RSA Insurance Ireland Ltd. All IAI members will be issued with insurance policy leafleats soon. If you have any questions, please talk to your dojo leader or contact the President of the Iaido Association of Ireland.