2025 AUSKF Iaido Seminar
Date
Thursday, July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025
LOCATION
University of Houston Recreation Center
4500 University Dr, Houston, TX 77004 (map)
SEMINAR INFORMATION
Please see the Southern US Kendo Federation event page for seminar information:
Seminar
Thursday and Friday, July 31–August 1
AUSKF National Iaido Taikai
Saturday, August 2
Iaido Shinsa (AJKF, AUSKF, CKF) from first test to 7 dan
Sunday, August 3
Registration deadline
July 1, 2025
INSTRUCTORS
From the All Japan Kendo Federation
Yamazaki Akimasa Sensei, Iaido Hanshi Hachidan (Ibaraki)
Nakada Masashi Sensei, Iaido Kyoshi Hachidan (Kanagawa)
Maruoka Akihito Sensei, Iaido Kyoshi Hachidan (Kochi)
AUSKF and CKF Instructors
Shozo Kato Sensei, Iaido Kyoshi 7th dan
Tatsuhiko Konno Sensei, Iaido Kyoshi 7th dan
Stephen Cruise Sensei, Iaido Kyoshi 7th dan
CHECK-IN
Wednesday, July 30 from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm
Check-in for seminar will be available during the welcome reception at POST Houston
Daily from 9:00 am to 9:30am
Check-in for seminar will also be available at the UH Rec.
PAYMENTS
We prefer for payments to be made electronically, in USD. Payment deadline July 1, 2025.
A) Preferred payment method is via Zelle, to suskif@gmail.com.
B) If you do not have access to Zelle, contact suskif@gmail.com for alternate arrangements.
All payments in USD. Payment deadline is July 1, 2025.
SHINSA APPLICATION
July 1 is the registration deadline.
July 10 is the deadline to email answers to the Shinsa questions.
SEMINAR
Seminar will be Thursday-Friday August 10-11, 9:00am - 5:00pm, taught by AJKF instructors.
Seminar instruction will be AJFK Iaido.
Venue
UH Rec Center, Houston, Texas
Price: $155.00 for both days.
Registration deadline: July 1, 2025.
There will be lunch break during the seminar. Lunch available for ordering as part of registration. Price of lunch is $20 each. Lunch will be sandwich or bento with various proteins. For dietary restrictions, contact us at suskif@gmail.com and we will try to make accommodations.
TAIKAI
AUSKF National Iaido Taikai will be held Saturday August 2, beginning at 9:00am.
Price: $35.
Registration deadline: July 1, 2025.
There will be lunch break during the competition. Lunch available for ordering as part of registration. Price of lunch is $20 each. Lunch will be sandwich or bento with various proteins. For dietary restrictions, contact us at suskif@gmail.com and we will try to make accommodations.
Divisions are by rank, 8 in all:
Mudansha A (no-rank to 3 kyu)
Mudansha B (2 kyu – 1 kyu)
Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yondan
Godan
Rokudan
Taikai format
Mudansha to 3 dan: 5 AJKF Shitei-waza in 6 minutes
4, 5 dan: 1 Koryu kata + 4 AJKF shitei-waza in 6 minutes
6 dan: 2 Koryu kata + 3 AJKF shitel-waza in 6 minutes
If you do not sit, you will do standing versions of AJKF seated waza. There will not be a separate set of kata for those who do not sit.
In order to participate in taikai, you MUST wear a Zekken, with your name in English at the bottom. Dojo or Federation name at the top.
You must be a member of AUSKF in good standing to participate in the Taikai.
IAIDO SHINSA
Shinsa from first test to 7th dan on Sunday, August 3, beginning at 9:00 am.
Registration deadline: July 1, 2025
Shinsa format
First test through 3 dan: 5 AJKF Shitei-waza in 6 minutes
4, 5 dan: 1 Koryu kata + 4 AJKF shitei-waza in 6 minutes
6, 7 dan: 6 AJKF shitei-waza in 7 minutes
If you do not sit, you will do standing versions of AJKF seated waza. There will not be a separate set of kata for those who do not sit.
All candidates, including those for 7 dan, will wear regular keiko-gi (tight sleeves).
Both AUSKF and FIK members are eligible to register for testing in Houston.
Shinsa requirements
Foreign attendees may test with permission of their Federation president and copy of menjo. Upload menjo copy to registration website, as part of registration. Send Federation President authorization letter by email to pam_a_parker@yahoo.com.
AUSKF shinsa candidates must be in good standing (fees paid, etc) to be accepted for examination. This status will be verified by AUSKF staff.
Shinsa-in must be AUSKF members in good standing (except for AJKF and CKF delegates). This status will be verified by AUSKF staff.
Renshi and Kyoshi testing
Renshi and Kyoshi testing is only available for AUSKF members.
The embu portion of shogo test will be 6 kata (2 Koryu and 4 AJKF shite waza) in 7 minutes.
Renshi candidates will wear keiko-gi. Kyoshi candidates will be required to wear montsuki.
Renshi and Kyoshi candidates will need to utilize the AUSKF shogo application forms.
All Renshi and Kyoshi candidates should notify pam_a_parker@yahoo.com that they intend to test.
Shinsa Testing Fees
Kyu ranks (17 & under) - $30
Kyu ranks (18 & over) - $40
1 dan - $50
2 dan - $60
3 dan - $70
4 dan - $80
5 dan - $100
6 dan - $120
7 dan - $150
Renshi - $120
Kyoshi - $150
Shinsa fee should be included in the payment for seminar, lunches and taikai.
Menjo Fees
Menjo fee, shown below, must be paid by successful candidates after the shinsa results are posted. Electronic payment is preferred. Deadline for menjo payment is August 17, two weeks after the test.
Kyu ranks (17 & under) - $20
Kyu ranks (18 & over) - $30
1 dan - $50
2 dan - $60
3 dan - $80
4 dan - $100
5 dan - $150
6 dan - $200
7 dan - $300
Renshi - $300
Kyoshi - $500
Written answers must be submitted by one week after registration deadline. That is, by July 10, 2025.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Online registration is not currently available.
Please contact info@shinken.cc if you have questions about the registration process.