Iaido

The way of the Sword.

"I - Being,"     "AI - Harmony,"    "Do - Way,"

" The Way Of Harmonising Oneself In Battle."

Iaido: Is a traditional form of  Budo, The art of  drawing and cutting with a Blade, in the same motion.

Iaido began in the mid-1500's. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is widely accepted as the founder of Iaido.

Seitei-Iai-Do: Seitei Iai developed by the (Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei) ZNKR, was derived from older styles  of Iaido (Koryu). Students who are new to Iaido, would start with this basic form of Iaido.

The First Ten forms of : Seitei-Iai-Do  In 2000 ZNKR Changed it to Twelve,  So Giri & Nuki Uchi.

  1. [Ippon me] Mae (Front)  An opponent sitting in front of you in Seiza.

  2. [Nihon me]  Ushiro (Rear)  An opponent sitting in Seiza to your rear.

  3. [Sanhon me] Uke-Nagashi Catch and slide off.  Block Ukenagashi (fend, parry) Cut to Kesa an opponent approaching from your left.

  4. [Yonhon me] Tsuka-ate (Strike with the Tsuka) Cut and thrust two opponents, one sitting in front, the other behind sitting in Seiza.

  5. [Gohon me] Kesa Giri (Cut to Kesa) An opponent approaching from the front.

  6. [Roppon me] Morote-Tsuki (Thrust with both hands) Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching from the front, the other approaching from the rear.

  7. [Nanahon me] Sanpo-Kiri (Cut in three directions) Cut three opponents, one approaching from front, the others to your left and right.

  8. [Hachihon me] Gan-men-Ate (Strike to centre of face) Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching from the front, the other following up behind.

  9. [Kyuhon me] Soe-Te-Tsuki (Thrust with hand alongside the blade) Thrust an opponent in right with hand alongside the blade.

  10. [Jyuppon me] Shiho Kiri (Cut in four directions)  Cut and thrust four opponents.

  11. eleven

  12. twelve

Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido

Following Seitei Iai. students will learn the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu style of Iaido.  Created in the 16th Century.

Students, who practice Iaido today, normally train on their own with imaginary opponents. Afar cry from the Ancient battlefields of  Japan.

Traditional  forms of Iaido consist of.

  1. The Draw and cut

  2. The finishing cut

  3. The Cleaning of the Blade, Chiburi (Chiburui)

  4. The Returning of the Blade (Noto) back into the Scabbard (Saya).

Students practicing Iaido today generally use a training sword called an Iaito.  They are identical in weight and balance to the razor-sharp Shinken.  It would be very unnerving for a new Student who is having to concentrate on his posture, balance, control and the returning of a razor sharp Blade, back into its Scabbard which is worn on his left hip, without taking his eyes off an imaginary opponent.  A Hakama is the skirt like trousers that was traditionally worn by the Samurai.  Visit Hakama for more details.

Understanding the Terminology.

  1. Budo: Budo means Martial Arts or military Arts in Japan.

  2. O-Chiburi: The symbolic shaking of your enemy's blood from the blade.  In the early days, when on the Japanese battlefield combat was continuous?  It was more  expedient than wiping the surplus blood off onto a warriors garment.

  3. Yoko-Chiburi: The final cut has just been completed and you are in Chudan no Kamae.  When you perform the Chiburi it will be as if you are pulling the Sword handle (Tsuka)  in half.  Both hands pulling away from each other.

  4. -Chiburi:

  5. Noto: Re-Sheathing of the sword into the scabbard, which is worn, on your left hip.

  6. Zanshin: Awareness that after you have dispatched your opponent he might make a last dying attack .  You should always be watching and listening as you back away.

You will find more, Japanese Terminology on our  Japanese Translation page, click here

"Saya no uchi de katsu", Victory in the scabbard of the sword. The real intention is:  One must obtain victory while the sword is un-drawn.

Diagram of a Shinken.

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