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What is Iaido?
Iaido is one of the japanese traditional Budo concerned with drawing the blade and cutting in the same motion. A typical form consists of the draw and cut, a finishing cut, cleaning the blade and returning it to the scabbard, all without looking away from the imaginary opponent.
The term "Iai" is taken from the japanese phrase: "Tsune ni ite, kyu ni awasu". The meaning of this is, whatever we may be doing or wherever we may be, we must always be prapared from any eventually.
Most practice is solo, eventually with shinken (a real blade). Students must strive to achieve power, precision and perfection in their form. Along the way they learn balance, grace, and control both of the body and the mind.
Through the blade we seek to improve our spirit and become better people, to promote peace and good feeling beyond the walls of the Dojo and into out daily lives.
One must bear in mind the higher goals to achieve and take each steps and overcome each obstacle, but at the same time, one must relish and enjoy his challenges, though the path may be a difficult one to follow.
History and School
Iaido began in the mid-1500's. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is widely accepted as the founder of iaido.
There were many (probably several thousand of) koryus ( traditional schools), though only a small proportion remain today. Almost all of them also study older school established during 15th century, like Muso Shinden-ryu, Hohki-ryu, Muso-jikiden Eishin-ryu, Shinto Munen-ryu, Tamiya-ryu, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, and so on.
There are many styles of iaido, many ways to cut, to move, and as one learns one improves technically. However, we train not only to learn techniques, but also to cultivate the heart and spirit. With this respect all "styles" will lead to the same goal.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iaido
All students perhaps study a standard iaido, commonly known as the Seitei Iai, which is established by the All Japan Kendo Federation (Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei, hereafter ZNKR).
There are 10 established forms of ZNKR Seitei Iaido (hereafter Seitei Iai) which were developed during 1960's and 70's by a panel appointed by ZNKR for that purpose. The original intentions in creating Seitei Iai was to produce a standard that could used for gradings nationally and later internationally.
These ten forms belong to three sections. The first to third forms belong to Seiza no bu, which performed from seiza posture. The fourth form belongs to Tatehiza no bu, which performed from tatehiza. And the fifth to tenth forms belong to Tachi no bu, which performed from a standing posture.
Ippon me (The first): Mae (Front)
Cut kirioroshi an opponent front in seiza.
Nihon me (The second): Ushiro (Rear)
Cut kirioroshi an opponent to the rear
in seiza.
Sanhon me (The third): Uke nagashi (Catch and slide off)
Block ukenagashi and cut to kesa an opponent
in the left standing and approaching.
Yonhon me (The fourth): Tsuka ate (Strike with the tsuka)
Cut and thrust two opponents, one sitting
in front, the other behind in seiza.
Gohon me (The fifth): Kesa giri (Cut to kesa)
Cut to kesa an opponent approaching from
front.
Roppon me (The sixth): Morote tsuki (Thrust with both hands)
Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching
from front, the other following behind.
Nanahon me (The seventh): Sanpo kiri (Cut in three directions)
Cut three opponents, one approaching from
front, the others from left and right.
Hachihon me (The eighth): Ganmen ate (Strike to center of face)
Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching
from front, the other following behind.
Kyuhon me (The ninth): Soete tsuki (Thrust with hand alongside the
blade)
Thrust an opponent in right with hand alongside
the blade.
Jyuppon me (The tenth): Shiho kiri (Cut in four directions)
Cut and thrust four opponents.
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