News

Temporary suspension of our Free shipping Offer to North America & Oceania
We now charge a flat 1,000 YEN shipping fee for all orders to North America & Oceania, and for all packages under 1 kg for Europe. Read the news in details for more information.

Temporary suspension of our Free shipping Offer to North America & Oceania

Until March 2022, Seido has maintained its free shipping offer to as many destinations as possible, including North America, Europe, and Oceania, despite the very important "covid" shipping surcharges put in place by all carriers.

Unfortunately, the situation has only worsened in the past months, and the Ukraine War caused further issues in Europe and Worldwide. The two new issues are a complete suspension of all Japan Post shipments to Europe, which is the service we were relying on for packages under 1kg to offer free shipping, and the fulgurant rise of kerosene prices, which resulted in a further significant increase in the shipping costs.

Private carriers offer flat B2B rates, and we are confident we have the lowest rates these carriers can offer in Japan, allowing us to ship to more than 100 countries completely free of charge in normal time.
But these rates also have a variable part called "fuel surcharge". In normal time, this variable part is around 5%. The Ukraine war pushed this variable fee to 30%.
With the COVID crisis, a new surcharge of about 220 YEN/kg was also put in place.
In total, our shipping costs have risen by about 50% in a few months, which is no longer sustainable for us.
Two examples:
- Shipping a 2 kg Aikidogi to the US went from 2,300 YEN in 2020, to 3,500 YEN today.
- Shipping a 100g Sageo to Europe went from 1,200 YEN in 2020 to 2,500 YEN today.

For this reason, we have no other choice but to :
- suspend our free shipping offer to North America, Australia, and New Caledonia for all packages. And charge a 1,000 YEN flat fee for all orders.
- suspend our free shipping offer for packages under 1 kg to Europe. And charge a 1,000 YEN flat fee for packages under 1kg (free shipping remains for larger packages).

We are extremely sorry to have to come to this point. For almost 2 years, we did our best to keep our free shipping active, as it is a key component of our business model.
So we want to reassure you that as soon as the situation will allow it, free shipping will be restored!

Thank you very much for your understanding and stay safe!

Jordy Delage
Founder & CEO @Seido Co., Ltd.
November Special Discount
SWORD FAIR - 10% OFF on all Iaito!! (Until November 25th, 11 am JPT)
SWORD FAIR - 10% OFF all Iaito

Hello fellow Budoka,
It's November, and the end of the year is already around the corner. It's getting cooler here in Japan, but we know we have many more sunny days coming our way, we still have plenty of days to practice at the dojo, and to make the most of 2022.

For November, we decided to focus our monthly offer on a category of products we hadn't discounted in a while with 10% OFF all our Iaito! Whether you're looking for an Instock Iaito or a custom-made one, there are many possibilities available for you! Our in-house developed customization module allows you to easily customize your Iaito, selecting from hundreds of combinations of unique made-in-japan parts (Sageo, Tsukaito, Menuki, Tsuba, Hamon, and many more).
This special offer will also apply to our Wakizashi and Iai Tanto collections, so if you are looking to complete your set of traditional swords, this is the perfect time to do so!

Please note that this discount will end on November 25th, at 11 am Japan Time, so be sure to don't miss it!

November also means Black Friday, and like every year, we will try to make it revolve around a meaningful concept for the whole community and possibly beyond. Please stay tuned for further details.

October report
- Your love for Calligraphy will be fulfilled as Fuh-Mi just released a series of brand new Kakejiku (hanging scrolls) and two Chikukan (bamboo writing strips) calligraphed with extracts from both the Earth scroll and the Ether Scroll of Miyamoto Musashi's Gorin no Sho. The latter product's type briefly appeared on the site but was instantly sold, so we thought some of you would enjoy it as well! Discover all these new products in her dedicated collection.
- We also released a new short blog article from Fuh-Mi! In this article, she shares with you some interesting facts about Ink Sticks. Read it here: Ink Sticks, Everything you need to know.
- Regarding YouTube, our channel has a new handle and you can now find us directly at youtube.com/@seidobudostudies. Please feel free to spread the word to your friends, family, and anyone you know.
- And last but not least, we finished the publication of the videos we shot during the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration ! In total, we released 78 videos, we hope you liked them! Stay tuned for more content on the channel!
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
October Special Discount
10% OFF a product selection!! (Until October 31st, 3 pm JPT)
Around the mats Special Discount / 10% OFF a product selection!!

Hello fellow Budoka,
We hope your return to the dojo was revitalizing! Here in Japan, red spider lilies flowers are blooming, sign of the heavy rainfalls we experienced during the last weeks all around the country, but they are before everything else a heartwarming sign of the arrival of autumn.

And to celebrate the autumn, we decided to offer a 10% discount on a product selection to wear (or display) around the mats! We selected bags, Samue, Setta, belts, Katanakake, Tessen, and more! All that high-end equipment is, as always with Seido, 100% made in Japan and is of the best quality!

This discount will run until October 31st, 3 pm JPT, so be sure to not miss it.

September report

The new season get off to a flying start and we released a lot of new products:
- We're glad to announce that we released a new In Stock Iaito coming from Minosaka's workshop: the Tokusei Koshirae. This Iaito is one of our basic models: reasonably priced, well-balanced on the tsuba, with a simple finish, it is ideal for beginners. It also makes a fine choice for Aikidoists looking for a practical Iaito at a reasonable price. Check it out!
- Still from Minosaka's workshop, we also released the leather Tsukaito. Available in black or brown, in standard or suede versions, from 300 cm to 700 cm.
- Many customers were waiting for it, we just released the Classic Kurume Cotton Samue. This brand new samue is made entirely in Japan, in a region called Kurume. Kurume has a long history of traditionally manufactured cotton fabric, for which the dye is applied to the yarn before it is woven! That results in a long-lasting tint that does not wash off quickly or fade when dried in the sun. Discover it on the website!
- Fuh-Mi's artworks are still very popular and we added several Shikishi (calligraphed board) with new martial-arts-related expressions. Don't hesitate to check all of her work in her dedicated collection.
- Talking about calligraphy, we just released on our blog an article that was initially published on Fuh-Mi's former website! In this article, she shares with you her tips to take care of your kakejiku (hanging scroll) and how to roll it in the traditional way. You can read it here: Taking Care of your Kakejiku, and more articles by Fuh-Mi are coming soon.
- And finally, we still have many upcoming videos we shot during the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration! Check out our dedicated playlist.
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
September Special Discount
10% OFF our new season essentials selection! (Until October 3rd, 3 pm JPT)
10% OFF our new season essentials selection!

Hello fellow Budoka,
Summer is slowly coming to its end, and we're already in September. Temperatures broke records everywhere in Japan, as it seems to have happened on half of the planet. We hope you were safe and able to enjoy your summer nevertheless.

At Seido, we're ready to welcome the new season! For the new discount and those returning to the dojo, we picked a unique selection of products that will be 10% OFF! We selected various high-quality pieces of equipment. No matter your needs, you'll surely find the perfect product, should it be a weapon Aikido Set, Dogi, Hakama, Belts, Zekken, Bags, Sai, accessories, or something different.

This discount will run until October 3rd, 3 pm JPT.

August report
- As you may have heard, we released a blog article about the unfortunate end of our relationship with the Jisei brand. Read the article on our blog for more information on this situation: History of our collaboration with the Murayama Token Workshop (Jisei brand).
- Talking about Iaito, we will soon release a new In Stock Iaito from Minosaka's workshop. If you've always wanted to begin your Iaido journey but were still hesitating, we recommend you to check this product, we're sure you will appreciate it. Stay tuned!
- Our video playlist from the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration is still growing on our channel! Don't forget to check out our dedicated playlist.
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
August Special Discount
10% OFF a product selection!! (Until August 31st, 3 pm JPT)
Summer Special Discount #2

Hello fellow Budoka,
Here we are in the second part of summer with temperatures exceeding records all around the world. We have to stay careful in these demanding times and take care of each other!

Our last discount on a selection of summer products was quite a success so we decided to continue on the same path for this month! So, once again, we're offering 10% OFF a summer product selection! Dogi, towels, Setta, Juban, Bags, and more products will be discounted so this is the perfect opportunity if you missed our last discount and still want to practice in the best conditions until the end of summer!

This discount will run until August 31st, 3 pm JPT.

July report
- Things are not always happening as we wish they would be and we're saddened to tell you that the Jisei brand no longer exists. This doesn't mean the workshop closed, it means that a non-disclosed agreement between a key player in the industry and the workshop resulted in the termination of our relationship with the workshop. Accordingly, Seido has removed all Jisei products from its catalog, except inStock products, which will be discontinued once out of stock. We invite you to consult our blog article for more information on this situation: History of our collaboration with the Murayama Token Workshop (Jisei brand)
- As bad news often comes in packages, we have to report a price increase of 10 to 20% for all Minosaka products. The reason for this price increase is the increased raw material cost, the fall of the currency exchange rate between YEN and USD, and the enormous inflation Japan currently suffers (as most of the world). The currency exchange issue comes as an advantage for our customers paying in US dollars, as it mechanically reduced our product prices by 20% between March and July, negating the price increase. (Thanks to Seido's prices being set up in YEN, our customers always pay the best price possible applicable at the time of the order).
- As you already know, we are publishing videos from the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration on our channel! Check out our dedicated playlist.
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
O'Bon 2022
Most of Seido's Craftsmen and workshops will take a few days off from August 11th to August 16th, so all custom-made orders will be delayed accordingly.

O'Bon 2022

Every year in August, the O'Bon festival is held in Japan. This Buddhist festival is a celebration of the spirits of the ancestors, families gather and visit their ancestors' graves to honor their memory. Thus, many Japanese will return to their families.

This year, August 11th (Thu) will be Mountain Day, a national holiday in Japan, which will mark the beginning of some holidays for our craftsmen. So, until August 16th (Tue), the majority of workshops will be closed and will not be able to provide quotations for custom-made items or provide accurate production times.
All custom-made orders placed before and during this period will be delayed by about a week, but fear not, this will be automatically taken into account in the estimation of the shipping dates displayed on all products, as well as in your cart.

See you soon on SeidoShop.com!

(Picture by Guilhem Vellut)
July Special Discount
10% OFF a product selection!! (Until August 1st, 3 pm JPT)
Summer Special Discount

Hello fellow Budoka,
Summer is well established, temperatures are rising, and it becomes difficult to train at the Dojo but we're still trying to enjoy practicing on the tatami to the fullest. Please beware of heatstroke, stay hydrated, and don't push yourself over the limit.

To celebrate summer, we're offering 10% OFF a product selection to accompany you and keep you cool! Aikidogi, Samue, Towel, Belts, and many other products are now discounted. Discover them on the website to make the most of the summer and to be sure to practice in the best conditions. We hope to meet you soon on the mats!

This discount will run until August 1st, 3 pm JPT.

June report
- Great news, Fuh-mi just released a lot of new artworks! Her collection of traditional arts is now completed by several Kakejiku (hanging scrolls) calligraphy, and by an exquisite series of calligraphy on Paulownia (Kiri) wood! Many different words and expressions are available on the website, check them out!
  Don't forget, each piece is unique! First come, first served!
- On the YouTube side, we are regularly publishing videos from the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration on our channel! Don't forget to check out our dedicated playlist.
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
June Special Discount
10% OFF a selection of Aikido products!! (Until June 30th, 3 pm JPT)
Aikido Special Discount

Hello fellow Budoka,
We are already in June and we're now entering the rainy season here in Japan. Humidity will rise, temperatures as well but it won't stop us from training at the Dojo!

Our special lottery is now over, and it was quite a success! We hope that luck was with you and that you are one of the lucky winners of our exclusive prizes!

From this month, we are shuffling the cards, and we will only focus on a limited number of products coming from different categories of our website, making our discount more diverse each time.

The season of Aikido seminars and courses is taking off at top speed, in Japan as well as abroad. And to celebrate the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration event that we attended at the end of May at the legendary Nippon Budokan, we're offering 10% OFF a selection of Aikido products. We've picked a weapon starter set, Dogi, Hakama, Belts, and more: get yourself ready to make the most of your practice! It's time to gear up, discover them now!

This discount will run until June 30th, 3 pm JPT.

May report
- As mentioned above, we attended the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration. We shot a lot of demonstrations and we started to publish them on our YouTube channel! Check out our dedicated playlist.
- The brand new series of Shikishi made by Fuh-Mi is now live! You'll find a new version of the Kanji "道" (Michi, the way), a brand new "San-gen Ichi-ryu", a Karate expression meaning "three origins, one tradition" or "three roots, one flow", as well as calligraphies taken from the book "Dokkodo" written by the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi.
  Don't forget, each piece is unique! First come, first served!
That's it for this month, enjoy the discount, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
Seido's Special Lottery
Win exclusive prizes! (Until May 31st, 3 pm JPT)
Seido's Special Lottery

Hello fellow Budoka,
May is finally here, one of the best months of the year here in Japan! Days are lovely and warm, and the Japanese celebrate with the "Golden Week", a one-week holiday at the beginning of the month where Japanese Families gather together to share special moments.

May is also the time where Japanese households traditionally hang Koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) in front of their houses. Flown to celebrate Children's day (the last day of the Golden Week), Koi fishes are a symbol of energy and power as they are courageous and determined to overcome all obstacles!

This month, we would like to try something new! Exceptionally, there will be no discount, but instead, we are running a Special Lottery!
From April 28th to May 31st, you'll be automatically enrolled for a chance to win exclusive prizes for any purchase (no matter the price) on SeidoShop!
- Grand prize: One (1) lucky customer will receive one (1) "精神一到" (Seishin Itto) Kakejiku Calligraphy (hanging scroll)! This high-end calligraphy will be offered in an exquisite Sandanhyoso version! Seishin Itto is a Japanese expression that means "Focus of mind", "Mental concentration" or "Mind unity" and that is also the first compound of a famous Japanese saying "Seishin Itto Nanigoto Ka Narazaran" that roughly translates as "where there is a will, there is a way" which is Seido's motto.
- Second prize: Three (3) customers will receive one (1) exemplary of the Book "Budo, Japanese Martial Arts", a beautiful A4 Hardcover book published by Nikko Graphic Arts, introducing four distinctive Japanese martial arts; Ogasawara-ryū for Mounted archery, Yagyū Shinkage-ryū for Sword, Tendō-ryū for Naginata, and Hōzōin-ryū for Spear. The book is illustrated with beautiful pictures alongside interviews with the masters.
- Third prize: Ten (10) customers will receive one (1) ¥2,000 gift card which can be used on SeidoShop.com!
- Fourth prize: Ten (10) customers will receive one (1) Seido's Tenugui featuring Seido's motto: "Seishin Itto Nanigoto Ka Narazaran"!
- For all participants: Everyone will also receive a Free Seido's Sticker or Wappen to thank you for your continuous support!
For this lottery, we are using a pre attribution system, which means you will receive your present(s) directly with your order. You'll know you won when you'll open your package!

For total transparency, here is how it works:
- We gave a letter to each present (A, B, C, etc.)
- We used a randomizer to attribute a number to each letter. The number is comprised of between 1 and the number of orders we are estimating for May. (Example: the randomizer says: A is number 234, so order number 234 will receive present A).
- We start counting orders from 1 as soon as the lottery begins. If your order number is one of the numbers drawn by the randomizer, you win the associated present, and it will be packed with your order.
- If our total number of orders is off, we will attribute the remaining present(s) to unshipped orders, based on the same randomized drawing.
This Lottery will run until May 31st, 3 pm JPT. Please note that every time you make a purchase, you'll enter the lottery. All purchases made on SeidoShop.com, SeidoShop.fr, and SeidoShop.jp will be taken into account.

April report
- The brand new series of Shikishi made by Fuh-Mi will be published soon! You'll find a new version of the Kanji "道" (Michi, the way), a reinterpretation of the Kanji "禅" (Zen), a brand new "San-gen Ichi-ryu", a Karate expression meaning "three origins, one tradition" or "three roots, one flow", as well as three calligraphies taken from the book "Dokkodo" written by the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi.
  And don't forget, each piece is unique! First come, first served!
- Great news, we will have a booth during the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration that will be held on May 28th on the legendary Nippon Budokan. This event will be behind closed doors, but be reassured that we'll give you exclusive insights into the event!
That's it for this month, good luck with the lottery, and see you soon on SeidoShop.com!
Golden Week 2022
Seido will be closed from April 29th to May 6th. Our website stays operational and accepts orders, but no shipping will occur during this period. Emails will be answered at a much slower pace.

Golden Week 2022

In Japan, April 29th (Showa Day), May 3rd (Constitution Memorial Day), May 4th (Greenery Day), and May 5th (Children's Day) are national holidays.

All suppliers, carriers and partners will be closed or will maintain only limited service during the complete holidays.
In order to avoid hundreds of orders piling up for Friday 6th, we will be working on a light shift on May 2nd, and 6th, although we will only be able to ship a minimum number of orders.
Our system is set to indicate the first shipments on Monday the 9th (the day where normal operations will resume). We can only guarantee that all orders that are supposed to ship within 36h (products in stock only) will be shipped on Monday 9th at the latest.

Please also note that orders containing products that are order-made or out of stock might suffer a delay of about 2 weeks if their production/preparation time includes the Golden Week. This delay is taken into account by our system, and the date indicated at checkout stays accurate.

As usual, our team is taking work home and will continue to answers emails at a slower pace and our website will stay fully operational.

See you soon on SeidoShop.com!

(Picture by Takashi Tomooka)