The New England Iaido Association (Kyokai) was founded in March 1996 by Warren Stanley. Stanley Sensei holds the rank of 7th Dan (Nanadan) from the All Japan Iaido Federation (Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei) and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Traditions Association (Seito Kai). Stanley Sensei was promoted to the rank of Nanadan by the 22nd Grand Master and Lineage heir, Seiko Takashi Ikeda Sensei, and the Senior Master-Teachers (Jun Hanshi) of the examining and promotions board of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei in Kyoto, Japan.

Stanley Sensei began his training in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido in 1992 while living in Kamakura, Japan. Stanley Sensei is a direct disciple (deshi) of Koji Hon’ami Sensei, 9th Dan Master-Teacher (Ku Dan, Jun Hanshi), founder of the Kamakura Iaido Kyokai, and President of the Chiku Shonan Higashi Kanto regional branch dojos of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Seito Kai. Koji Hon’ami Sensei was the senior disciple of Ajisai Hirai Ichiren Sensei 10th Dan, Master-Teacher, the senior disciple of Kono Hyakuren Minoru Sensei, the 20th Grand Master and Lineage heir of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei. Koji Hon-ami Sensei has been a student and teacher of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido for over 45 years.

Stanley Sensei is the only legitimately authorized teacher of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido in New England. Stanley Sensei holds the first (Renshi-Instructor Teacher) of the three teaching licenses/certifications awarded by the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Seitokai. Stanley Sensei was awarded his Renshi license by the 22nd Soke, Seiko Takashi Ikeda Sensei, and Senior Master-Teachers of the examining and promotions board of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei in Kyoto Japan.

Mark Hardcastle is the senior student (Dai Sempai) of Warren Stanley Sensei and senior instructor at the New England Iaido Kyokai. Mark Hardcastle holds the rank of 4th Dan (Yondan) from the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Seitokai. Mark Hardcastle was promoted to the rank of Yondan by the Senior Master-Teachers of the regional examining and promotions board of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei in Kamata, Japan.