Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido
By Walt Bushey, Katsujin Budokai Dojo
The
next style of Japanese swordsmanship we will explore is the gendai style of
“Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido”.
This
style of Iaido was born in the early 1900’s through the vision of Nakayama
Hakudo, the often-mentioned authority over many gendai ryu.
Nakayama sensei believed that the classic arts should be re-interpreted
and opened up to the general public in order for them to survive in the modern
world. Nakayama sensei formulated the Muso Shinden Ryu kata from his experience
with the Omori Ryu and Eishin Ryu styles of koryu swordsmanship. The kata
consist of:
- 12 Shoden kata (11 seiza no bu and 1 tachi no bu) originating from the Omori Ryu lineage.
- 11 Chuden kata (all from tate hiza) originating from the Eishin Ryu lineage. And the Okuden kata. Kumigata (aka katachi) are also practiced with advanced practitioners performing tameshigiri as part of their training.
Nakayama
sensei stressed the importance of sword training, not as a means of cutting down
an opponent, but as a method for improving oneself. The sword no longer cuts
down your enemy, but rather cuts down your own ego. Beginners start with the
shoden series of kata and do not move on to the Chuden level until the rank of
shodan is achieved. The Chuden level kata are practiced until the rank of sandan.
After the rank of sandan, the students are introduced to the okuden level kata.
Muso
Shinden Ryu is another modern link to the ancient world of the bushi. Martial
spirit, technique and discipline are kept alive through diligent practice of the
way of the sword.
(Please, visit the website of Bushey sensei on http://katsujin.org/ )