Meijin 10th Dan Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido - Hanshi 9th Dan Kendo

Yamaguchi Katsuo, a world-renowned leader in the sword arts of Japan, passed away on January 24, 2006, at the age of 89. His influence on the iaido of the late 20th Century cannot be overestimated.

Yamaguchi-Sensei was a swordsman in the Eishin branch of the martial art created by Hayashizki Jinsuke, able to trace his lineage back to Oe Masamichi, 16th Headmaster of the system. Oe taught Yamamoto Takuji, who taught Ota Tsugiyoshi, who taught Yamaguchi. The iaido of this sub-branch of Eishin-Ryu is characterized by its power, sword control, and radiant stillness. It combines strong, accurate cuts with a smooth, unhurried tempo, and develops deep calmness in those whose practice spans several years.

Yamaguchi-Sensei excelled in individual performance and in one-on-one practice sessions. He was able to silence an entire auditorium with the intense dignity of his formal demonstrations, but was endlessly generous when explicating technical matters with a serious student of the art. Among his well-known students are the current director of Kokusai Budoin's Iaido Division, Iwasa Hidetoshi, and America's best known swordsman, 4-time All Tokyo Sword Forms Champion Nicklaus Suino.

Yamaguchi-Sensei's tradition is alive and well at the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.