Reviews of Kaishin Dojo

This place is full of lies. Just made up style, but they are claiming derivative of Shinkageryu. The instructors have NEVER learned Shinkageryu. Avoid scams!

This is a good little dojo. Its also a simple place- no belts, no mirrors. It seems to be all about the basics, and how to build on them. Functional, accurate. Overall better than most I have seen. It's no wonder they have been around for so long! I think that school started back in 1995 or something like that. Thats over 20 years and a lot of other sword schools have come and gone. I was looking at this place to train at before I had to relocate due to work. I saw everyone, and really, there is no comparison.

The school is perfectly prepared to teach anyone who is interested in Japanese sword arts. Its not overly uptight, the instructors are very knowledgeable and respectful, and the other students who have been there a long time are very nice and willing to help the new students. Some of the fighting isnt as flashy as other martial arts schools, but its way more effective as a fighting style, and rooted a lot deeper. They teach everything from sword maintenance to fighting against different weapons like the spear. Students are encouraged to try new things to better their understanding of the martial art, which I think is one of the many unique things about this dojo. I see some doubt about the school online sometimes, most of it based on demonstrations. But having trained here for a while and seen how much the school has to offer, and how much the older students have learned and still continue to learn, I feel safe saying this is one of the best places to learn a Japanese sword art in the world. All in all, you may want to consider coming here if:

You want a very deep understanding of Kenjutsu

You want to learn a real and practical sword art

You have a serious and driven interest about sword fighting

You have an interest or curiosity about sword fighting

You want to expand your martial arts experience or learn a new martial art

You want to learn a sword fighting art that becomes unique to each person

if any of those are even remotely true, this is an excellent place to do them.

This school and Mr. Kilgore advertise themselves as a traditional Japanese kenjutsu school. While they use wooden swords and practice a set of forms, it is most definitely NOT the kenjutsu Shinkage ryu that they proclaim to teach.

Just do a search online and compare the forms seen in their videos with actual Shinkage ryu - they're completely different.

Also sparring with bokken and steel / aluminum blades is just plain dangerous.

The instructor admits to making up the style himself, so while it may be a modern martial art that teaches some of the basics of Japanese swordsmanship, it is not a traditional kenjutsu school.

There are other Japanese Sword Art dojos in the Minneapolis area teaching Musoshindenryu and Toyama ryu which are teaching exactly what they are advertising.

My son goes there and ever since he started taking their classes, he seems like he has been happier ever. The instructors are very nice and easy to talk to. No up-tight atmosphere. I'm just glad that my son finally found such a nice place to fit in!

The dojo teaches not just one aspect,

it will teach you, kata, how to cut target, fighting strategy, how to flight with bokken, etc.

You don't see dojo like this. This dojo is vey good school.

Kaishin Dojo is an excellent place for anyone interested in learning a functional sword art. Sensei Kilgore is a skilled instructor in the way of kenjutsu and presents a practical and disciplined approach to the use of the Japanese sword. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is interested in learning how to use and fully appreciate the weapon synonymous with the Japanese warrior class.

The sensei have good knowledge of fundamental martial principles and have developed the training both as a science and an art. The science is the kenjutsu, the art is budo.

I would recommend this school to anyone interested Japanese Swordsmanship and weapons training

A fun kenjitsu training environment with a strong focus on application. Sensei Kilgore presents an unique perspective with a healthy respect and deep understanding of the history and tradition of Japanese sword arts.

Business operations are poorly ran (lack of communication to students) & head instructor is not very organized. Secondary instructor is a great teacher & knows what he's doing.

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