Matthew Swisher
Yondan (4^th Degree Black Belt)
Iaido

Matthew Swisher Sensei began studying Iaido in 1993 under Furuhashi Setsuji Sensei (8th dan ZNKR and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu) in Takayama, Japan.  He earned his shodan (first degree black belt) in the summer of 1994 under the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR).  Swisher Sensei continued his training under Furuhashi Sensei  earning his 2nd dan in 1995 and his 3rd dan in the summer of 1997 all under the ZNKR.  Shortly after that, Swisher Sensei returned to Cleveland and began teaching Iaido at Cleveland State University as part of the CSU Kendo Club and after a few years, moved the Iaido classes to Cleveland Aikikai where he continues to teach ZNKR and Eishin Ryu today. Swisher Sensei earned his 4th dan in 2002 under the Canadian Kendo Federation, an affiliate organization of the ZNKR.
His training continues through attending seminars and occasional trips to Japan where he continues to train under Furuhashi Sensei.