Ed Wojciechowski, widely known in the martial arts world as “Wojo Sensei,” began training in Mugai Ryu iaido in 2001, at the Japanese Culture Center dojo in Burbank, Illinois. After eight years of training, Wojo Sensei decided to share with others his knowledge of this intricate Japanese martial art at a class offered by the Oak Lawn Park District in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Since then, Wojo Sensei traveled to Okinawa, Japan, where he trained under a master swordsman and learned Hachiman Ryu, a different style of iaido which he has incorporated into his teaching curriculum.
In 2004, Wojo Sensei received certification from the Japan Iaido Renmei for the rank of first dan and three years later, second dan. Currently, he is certified as a sixth dan by the International Budokan Kendo Federation.
Wojo Sensei began his martial arts career in the early 1980’s, as a student of karate. He has also had extensive training in taekwondo and aikido. He holds the rank of eighth degree black belt in karate, which he teaches for the Oak Lawn Park District and A Center for the Martial Arts in Palos Hills, Illinois. In recognition of his in-depth knowledge of the martial arts and his lengthy teaching career, Wojo Sensei was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in November 2024.