Weird...now Im curious... The only things I could find were biographies on Nishiuchi Mikio Saiko-Shihan. Im still new to this. I started in feb this year and am about to take my 5th kyu test. Ive never even heard of Toei Ryu or Tosa Iai...ill go look em up on google

ok, so from what Ive seen Toei Ryu is a form of jujutsu and
Tosa Iai is an iaido form using short swords, i gues the wakizashi. But I cant do to much researching while im at the office. Let me know what you find out.

Tosa is a region of Japan. When people refer to Tosa Iai they are referring to the sword arts related to that area. Usually they are referring to the line of sword arts which later became known as Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Muso Shinden Ryu.

Where did you see Tosa Iai refered to as a style using short swords?

I did a google search and went to the 2nd find, here, but since I was at work I did a quick scan so I may have misread something. Ill go back and check right now.

Ok, yeah, my fault. I mis read someones post...this is from that thread

" Must admit Ive never come across MJER guys who use longer swords although there does seem to be some in the States...might ask a question on E-Budo and cause some trouble.... :smiley:
My teachers preference (and the guys in Kochi) is to use slightly shorter swords, ie at 6' 0" I would use a 2.4, with small tsuba also.This is a little bit bigger than a wakazashi tsuba but nowhere near as big as what I would call a standard size one on my iaito."

I mis read what was said, my appologies. I saw that quote and had to close the browser because the boss man was walkin by. hehehe Again, sorry for the confusion.

Ahh. Ok. Just checking. Tosa Iai is if anything known for longer than 'average' sword. That's what made it strange.

ahh Ill have to do some reading on it when I get home, im gettin ready to go to class right now. Ill talk to my sensei about it to get some clarification on the branch.

I had a conversation with my sensei before I ordered my Iaito and he said his sensai uses a longer blade than is recommended based on his height. So that makes sense about using a longer sword.

Ok here's a little info at BudoVideos on Nishiuchi-sensei

http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=21157

Quote:

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Nishiuchi was born in Kochi City, Japan, the Mecca of Muso Jikiden Eishin Iai Heiho (renowned Samurai swordsmanship). He holds a certified Chuden degree from the 19th successor, Hanshi Sawada of Hasegawa Eishin Ryu Iai do.

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I forgot my note book at home last night so I didnt ask my sensei about the branch we study as I didnt want to forget and have to ask again.

Hasegawa Eishin Ryu iaido, is that a branch of MJER or is it a different style all together?

I am a beginner myself. But the way I understand it is that Eishin-san was the swordsman who modified the techniques to adapt to the shorter swords of his era(katana). Before him the swords were generally longer. The style took his name and still has it Muso Jikiden "Eishin" Ryu due to his major contributions and influence. As I said that is how I understand it still a beginner in the Art.

Hasegawa Eishin Ryu is the name still used by some lineages to refer to the Tate Hiza no Bu set of waza. It is also the name of a style which is seperate from Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. Interestingly some branches of MJER also refer to the Tate Hiza no Bu set of waza as the Chuden level waza. Chuden roughly translates to "intermediate".