On Tuesday the 27th October I fortunate to visit the Seishin dojo which is headed by Scrivens sensei (Hanshi, hatchidan). The dojo teaches Muso Shinden Ryu and is located in East Grinstead. I set off around 16:30hr for the approximate 1 hour 15 mins drive from my house. I was meeting up with another DNIK member, Barrington sensei (who teaches Mugai Ryu), who is a good friend of Scrivens sensei. As this was my first meeting with Scrivens sensei and at his dojo, there was the usual apprehensions that go along with such first time meetings which includes the insecurities of will I be perceived as someone of skill? I have had several opportunity to talk to Scrivens sensei on the telephone prior to my visit. These were good conversations and we appeared to have the same outlook on Budo and Iai in particular. On meeting Scrivens sensei, I was not disappointed, his skill was there to see, as where his students. His knowledge had great depth and the iai in the dojo was taught from a practical perspective. It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to train there. We arranged to cover several of Muso Shinden Ryu kata and do a comparison with the same kata from the Muso Jikkiden Eishin Ryu syllabus. It was obvious the kata come from a common root; it was really interesting to see how the interpretation of the context shapes the applications within the kata. Exploring Iai from other Ryu ha’s helps to build a richness of understanding that enhances everyones practice of Iai. We concluded our practice for the night with Barrington sensei demonstrating and teaching several kata from the Mugai Ryu tachi waza kata. These contrasted those we practiced from Muso Shinden Ryu and Muso Jukiden Eishin Ryu. Scrivens sensei had graded Barrington sensei to Shodan several years ago, this was an opportunity for an assessment of Barrignton sensei, since COVID-91 has prevented a formal evaluation during the year. Scrivens sensei and I had previously discussed this assessment by telephone before our visit all without Barrington sensei’s knowledge. I am pleased to announce that we were in agreement of Barrington sensei’s teaching and his ability, so Barrington sensei was presented with Ni dan. Where I asked if Scrivens sensei would present Barrington sensei his Ni dan menjo, which he agreed too. After the presentation we concluded the training session with formal closing Reiho. There was an opportunity to talk after training before departing, all agreeing it was a good session and how good it was to train together. We agreed to arrange further training opportunities and build a lasting friendship. I look forward to our training together in the future.