Dr. Glenn Agou Stockwell, the head (Kancho) of Seishinkan Iaido, is the first non-Japanese person to earn the rank of 8th Dan from the Dai Nihon Iaido Renmei (All Japan Iaido Federation). He met all the requirements, including passing the Japanese written exam. He was trained directly by Yasuyoshi Kimura (Hanshi 10th Dan, meaning “Grand Master”) from Meishinkan in Osaka. Glenn Stockwell founded Seishinkan Iaido in January 1993 as a branch of the Meishinkan Dojo. After Kimura Kancho’s death in January 1999, Seishinkan continued practicing the waza (forms) exactly as taught by Kimura Kancho to preserve the art.
In 2016, Stockwell was awarded the rank of Kyoshi (meaning “High Master”) before achieving 8th Dan in 2022. That same year, he was given the kengo (iaido name) “Agou” by Aseisai Fukushima (Hanshi 10th Dan), the 24th Soke of Musou Jikiden Eishinryu, from the Agonokai, which is dedicated to preserving the style.
Seishinkan was the first division of the Renmei established outside Japan. It started as the Australia Shibu (Australian Division) and later became Seishinkan Shibu as membership expanded internationally. Seishinkan now operates six branches: Seishinkan Brisbane Shibu, Seishinkan Gold Coast Shibu, Seishinkan Sydney Shibu, Seishinkan Melbourne Shibu in Australia, Seishinkan Tokyo Shibu in Japan, and Seishinkan Shibu, which oversees other regions like the USA and Poland. No matter where they are based, all Seishinkan students can train at any Seishinkan dojo worldwide and compete in the Dai Nihon Iaido Renmei Kyoto National Iaido Championships each year.