The Kamakura Keiken-kai is an Iaido group where members enjoy training to learn Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu techniques, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, aiming to pass those techniques on to the next generation correctly.

"Katana is cool. I want to have my own Katana."
This simple reason was why I entered the world of Iaido.
For me, who spent my childhood in the United States, the existence of the sword depicted in anime and manga felt like one of the symbols of Japan, including the courtesy and spirituality that accompanies it, and I had a longing for it.

I experienced kendo and kyudo when I was a student, and had very good memories to each of them, and the fact that I was familiar with "Budo (martial arts)" also helped me to start learning Iaido.
When I visited the dojo first time, I was attracted to the tense tension during training and the calm atmosphere in other situations, which make me decide to join.

After joining the club, teachers give careful guidance and tell me the meaning and reason of each movement, so I am enjoying to acquire the skill little by little. It's not a martial art with a lot of movement, but after training, I feel tired both physically and mentally. However, it makes me a little happy and comfortable at the same time to think it is a proof that I was concentrating.

Honestly, when I first see the practice of Iaido, everyone worked out the same way, and I couldn't find much big difference although it was cool. However, as I practiced, I became able to see each person's originality, which made me feel the deepness of Iaido.