Just a comment on Irey-sensei and Eishin-ryuu Iaido:

I really enjoyed working out with Irey-sensei on the many occasions he has visited Texas, and on my one visit to his Dojo in Everett.

I can only suppose you have not studied with him in more recent years, as the US organization has been doing testings in Texas for the last several years, with direct supervision from a visiting Japanese sensei and video of the test sent to the soke in Japan along with the personal evaluation of John Ray-sensei. I received my shodan in this fashion in 2003. Also, I believe the Canadian Iaido Association still has tests directly administered by Esaka-sensei (10-dan) which may be more convenient for you, if you are in the Pacific Northwest, though I do not know the specifics on that.

The group in Denton, TX also hosts an annual embukai which they coordinate with the testing and guest sensei from all over the country & one or two from Japan. Even if you are not testing, I posit this would be worth the visit alone.

Pardon my ramble,

--Maeglin