Araki Mujinsai Minamoto Hidetsuna, the founder, created a fighting art in the Eiroku and Tensho periods (late 16th century) from knowledge taken from the battlefield. Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido is descended from this art which at first combined various fighting techniques with sword, spear, and hand to hand techniques. Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido gradually developed as Araki Ryu gradually separated into specialized categories of training as successors studied and improved techniques. In Japan there are now three forms of Araki Ryu: Araki Ryu Kenpou in Isezaki City, Gunma, Araki Ryu Gunyoukogusoku in Yokohama City, Kanagawa, and Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido in Himeji and Kobe, Hyogo.
The Phoenix, Arizona branch led by instructor David Overby is under the direction and supervision of the honbu dojo, led by Toyoda Soke in Himeji, Japan. Instructors from Himeji visit yearly to train and test the students, and a large number of our students have traveled to train in Himeji.
We are the only dojo in Phoenix that is recognized by the Honbu dojo in Himeji.