About/Contact

If you have any questions or inquiries for our school you may contact us at:

Or Sensei Art McConnell cell – (516) 707-2051

Main School
Tozai Sword School
At Empire State Dojo
33 Main St., Smithtown, NY 11787
Instructors: Art McConnell

SCHOOL NAME: Tozai Iai Kai
STYLE OF MARTIAL ART: Iaido

The Tozai Iaido School is run by Art McConnell.
Art McConnell has trained in the Martial Arts of Japan and China since the early 1960\’s.  He is the chief  instructor of the Tozai Iai Kai, graded 5th Dan and licensed to teach by Master Yoshitheru Otani, founder of N.Y. Iai Kai.

Art McConnell began formal training in Shotokan karate in 1961 at N.Y. Samurai Dojo, under John Slocum, then Iaido in 1964. Continued karate training with T. Miyazaki in in 1968 at the the Tokutai Dojo. Then trained with M. Takahashi in the 1980’s. Awarded Sandan in 1981. Trained with Master Okano in Japan in 1971. At Kenkojukuhombu. Studied Okinawan weapons with Dr. Andrew Linick.

Iaido Training:

John Slocum- Omori Ryu.

Yoshiteru Otani- Muso Shinden Ryu

Takeshi Mitsuzuka- Seitei Gata

Kunikazu Yahagi- Ryu Shin Jigen Ryu

McConnell received the rank of Godan and an instructor’s license from Sensei Otani Yoshiteru.

Sensei McConnell founded the Tozai (East&West) school in 1971 teaching Shotokan karate and Iaido. He has produced over one hundred black belt students in both empty hand and sword techniques.  He has also written two books titled, “The Ronin Soldier’s Diary” and “The Dragon’s Garden.” And made the period film “Zen Gold”.

McConnell has written \”The Ronin Soldiers Diary\” and produced a period film called \”Zen Gold\” .  He has taught Japanese Sword and Jodo classes for 30 years at the Empire State Dojo in Smithtown, NY.  Teaching forms from Shohato to combined spirit forms drawn from five Ryu, for self practice and competition.

THE ATTRIBUTES OF TOZAI.
1) SPIRIT
2) GRATITUDE
3) LOYALTY
4) PATIENCE

WHAT IS IAIDO?

Popularly known as “the art of drawing the sword”, Iaido is the contemporary legacy of the samurai of feudal Japan. A professional warrior class, both samurai men and women practiced warrior skills. Hayashizake Jinsuke Shigenobu is considered the legendary founder of Iaido as a concept and practice distinct from swordfighting in the 16th century, paralleling the development of a unified country. After Japan was finally unified under Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu early in the 17th century, the samurai combined their war skills with their interest in Zen philosophy and spiritual refinement. The combination gave samurai a venue for practicing their skills with a sense of Zen mindfulness.

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Chief Instructor: Sensei Art McConnell, 5th Dan