In 2007 Neil Motherway was authorised by Fay Goodman Sensei (Shichidan Renshi Iaido BKA) to establish an Irish branch of Masamune.

History of Masamune

Fay Goodman Nanadan Renshi started Masamune Dojo in 1985 as part of the Okimitsu Fujii Sensei Kenseikai Dojo. The name Masamune was chosen following research into finding a name that would have real meaning for the Dojo and it's practitioners. Upon reading various publications, history revealed the great Masamune to be one of the most famous swordsmiths making swords only to represent a symbol of peace. Masamune also believed in making his swords to perfection and as such he did not sign many blades believing his workmanship would speak for itself. As Masamune strove for perfection when making each individual blade, so Iaido practitioners at Masamune Dojo also seek to strive for good technique, humbleness and aiming for perfection through a lifetime of practice.

Training

The dojo Head Iaido Instructor is Neil Motherway, Sandan (3rd) Dan Iaido and a member of the Technical Board of the I.A.I.. Neil found himself studying Iaido in Birmingham under Fay Goodman sensei. He has been studying Iaido for two and a half years at Masamune Dojo, where he has been lucky enough to have received instruction fron Fay sensei (7th Dan) along with a number of lesser Dan graded Iaidoka ranging from Shodan to Godan, allowing him to progress relatively quickly through the grades to Sandan which is his current grade. Neil's training has been predominantly in Seitei Gata Iai as Fay Sensei does not encourage Kyu grades to practice KoRyu Iai as they need to concentrate on Seitei first to get the basics of Iaido; this attitude is a reflection of the attitude of Oshita Sensei and Morita Sensei in Japan.

Training and Fees

Classes are run at 12.00am to 1.00pm every Sunday except over Christmas.

Currently the fee per night is EUR 12.00 for members of the IAI and EUR 15.00 for non-members.

From Bray Dart Station

From Dart Station (Walk 20 Minutes )
Walk Down Quinsborough Road towards Main Street of Bray

(The Carilise Grounds of Bray Wanders is on Quinsborough Road)

From Bray Main Street

On Bray Main Street walk South (Uphill) towards Bray Head. (It is a steep walk from the Main Street up to the hall).

Fork at the end of Bray Main Street.

The main street of Bray forks at the end of the main street. (This is the site of the old townhall which is now a McDonalds).

Looking South (Uphill) the right hand fork is the Killarney Road. The left hand fork is the Veevay Road (take the left hand fork Veevay Road.)

Veevay Road: Keep going up the Vevay road, which again is quiet steep. You will pass a Maxol Garage and a large Tesco on the right hand side. There is a Lorreto School on left hand side.

Putland Road / Vevay Road
After the Lorreto School (Going South towards Bray Head) on the left had side there is a junction between the Vevay Road and Putland Road.

(Putland Road is long road which goes down to the seafront.)

On the right hand side there is a group of shops and the Vevay Inn. Vevay Inn and O’Briens Off Licence. There is a lane between the Vevay Inn and O’Briens Off License. About 100 yards down the lane on the left hand side there is a large sports
ground and the Wolfe Tonne Community and Sports Centre.