Reviews of Musoshindenryu Iaido - Agassiz Dojo

I am a current student, and plan to remain so.

The teacher ensures students understand the etiquette to abide by when within the dojo, and when acting as representatives of the dojo.

The teacher can both execute the movesets, and understands the reasons behind each move.

We routinely travel to national conferences and receive tutelage from Hachidan Hanshi and other high ranked instructors. Our members have had no problem ranking up through kyu and dan ranks while there.

The dojo and teacher have excellent relations with high ranking instructors across the world. This allows us to send videos of our enbus to them for advice, an excellent additional source of personalized teachings. We also have an annual seminar where a Hachidan or Nanadan instructor comes to train us.

Some of our members even have sharp swords, so we occasionally have Cutting practice to ensure our fundamentals are sound.

Given our ability to rank up through dan and kyu ranks, and good relations with higher ranked instructors, we seem to be on the right path.

I was very surprised to find a martial arts school in Fargo, ND that practices with a sword. I've heard of kendo, but didn't know about iaido, so finding the Agassiz dojo was a pleasant surprise. My son and I went and watched a couple of practices and the instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable about the art.

The students gave us a small demo of the different things they practice. They do sword vs. sword, sword vs. stick (jo?) and then the base art of iaido.

It was all very cool, and I really hope that my son will be able to join and practice with this school.

I've met Mr. Anderson and visited the school a few times. Not only was he, but all of his students were very open, receptive, friendly, and respectful.

The curriculum follows the Japan Kendo Federation seitei kata (standard iaido) and also an old style - maybe musoshindenryu?

What I really liked was the personal attention that the sensei and senior students gave to the junior students to assist them in their own personal learning.

Safety was emphasized, and there was a mutual respect.

The sensei looked very well qualified - I'm not sure where the other comments of people who haven't even visited the school are coming from. Maybe a rival school?

What impressed me most was that I was treated as an equal - there was no arrogance or talking over me despite my lack of knowledge.

When my work schedule frees up, I will definitely join this dojo!

Oh, and as for rank - 4 dan in iaido is significant. The person receiving it has to test in front of several judges many from Japan and masters of the art, and must pass without error. At that level also, character and moral fiber also come into play, not just technical proficiency.

I was seeking around sword schools in northern MN area. One of my friends recommended me this dojo. Then I did some research on website. I have seen some people from this dojo, including Brad Anderson, writing on the forum in kendo-world.com and other martial arts websites. They tend to write ugly comments on other groups/styles. That is a very bad sign of a bad dojo, so I didn't join. I used to learn Karate and my teacher told me that never criticize other dojo. I believe him and still use his words as an indicator to judge people.

The Agassiz Dojo not only teaches the International Kendo Federation / All Japan Kendo Federation seitei kata, but also the old style koryu of Musoshindenryu Iaido.

The instructor was very respectful of students and visitors alike, and spent over a decade in Japan learning this sword art.

Legitimate, authentic, professional. A great place to learn the Japanese sword arts, and the only place in the region.

good organization, but I don't trust the implemented theory involved

I, too, attended Anderson Sensei's July Seminar. Also present were 4 senior participants (2 - 7th Dan, 1 - 6th Dan, and 1 - 5th Dan). Two of these came of their own free will, not as hired instructors. I heard only praise, from them and others, about the quality of the seminar and about Anderson's organization, leadership, and instruction. I'm happy to be a member of this dojo.

I have attended this dojo for 18 months and give Anderson Sensei full credit for the superb quality of this dojo.

After attending an internationally attended seminar at this dojo in Summer of 2011, I can say without any question that Anderson Sensei is a great teacher who has great respect for Iaido and is able to teach his students as he was taught by his sensei in Japan (where he studied for 11 years).

The seminar had several 7+ dan masters who all agreed that we were blessed to have such a great resource in our area.

Fourth Dan in ZNKR is a very respectable rank to have. The reviewer who commented that it wasn't worth much, really doesn't have a grasp on what it means to have that rank, and that it's recognized internationally. Mr. Anderson is still fairly young, and I'm sure in another 15 to 20 years, he'll be 7th or 8th Dan. Which by the way most of the sensei that have that rank are well over 50. I've practiced with Brad and his students a couple of times the last of which is when he hosted a seminar. Brad managed to bring in several high ranking sensei and much was learned by me and everyone else that was there. That's another reason that I would recomend Brads dojo, because he travels to seminars in the USA, and Canada, he also maintains his connections to his sensei in Japan. So anyone in the Fargo/Moorehead area that is looking for a legitimate dojo to practice Iaido, a japanese sword art would do well to stop in and talk to Brad, and see what Iaido is about.

I've been practising Iaido under Anderson Sensei for almost three years. I would recommend everyone should give Iaido a try, though I do not think Iaido is for everyone.

It's not flashy. It's not free style.

It is very strict.

It's not Hollywood though Hollywood thinks it is indeed very Hollywood.

It's not new. It's not very popular.

It is very traditional.

It's not something to brag about. It's not self defence.

It is Iaido.

Having practiced ZNKR seitei and muso shinden ryu for several years before moving to Moorhead, I was very pleased when Brad Anderson opened his dojo. It was immediately evident to me that he had solid technical skills, ran a safety conscious dojo and was an excellent teacher. I learned a lot there and I would recommend his dojo to anyone interested in learning a traditional Japanese martial art.

Brad Anderson is a patent and informative instructor.

Bradley Anderson, the instructor of this dojo, is saying that he hold 4th Dan ranking in the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei association. In Iaido, 4th dan is nothing. If you take test 4 times, you will get 4th dan rank pretty much. That is why many Japanese iai-ka hesitate to say their ranking to people who do other martial arts, such as karate. And more laughable thing is that this guy is teaching iaido to those people who don't know anything with his precious 4th dan rank. I have NEVER heard that someone who ONLY has 4th dan owns the dojo and teaches iaido...and get paid. I strongly don't recommend to go there.

I visited this dojo couple years ago.

I saw their kata, and their technique was far away to called functional.

The head of instructor's tip of the sword was shaking and I didn't think he could actually "cut" anything with that nor fight. If you would like to learn how to "dance" with sword, this school is perfect, but if you would like to learn "martial arts", then you will waste your money and time. Trust me, I have been to many iai schools in Japan. There were a lot of the school lost iai as martial arts, but this school is even worse.