|
Iaido - The Way of The Sword, is the art of drawing and handling a Japanese katana (sword). It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and elegant of all Japanese
based martial art forms. The concentration and intense awareness required to perform
the austere movements aid in mental and spiritual
development. Unlike sword studies such as
kenjutsu or kendo in which a wooden or bamboo sword is used, in iaido the
student uses a metal blade.  The student learns to draw and go through a series
of cutting movements before re-sheathing the sword in the saya
(scabbard).
It is a non-combative physical and
mental discipline based on the proficient use of the sword and is one of the
most philosophically oriented of all Japanese martial arts in addition to being
one of the oldest. Its' purpose, stated in the
simplest possible terms, is to build a spiritually harmonious person possessed
of high intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will.
This goal of building body, mind
and spirit is accomplished by the intense focus, patience and
dedication required to perfect each form down to the precise position of
both the sword and each part of the body, correct breathing, metsuke (gaze) and anything (awareness remaining in all directions)
Why Study a Sword Art in the 21st Century?
Besides self discipline and spiritual strength, iaido strives for technical perfection and precision, the
development of body and mind coordination and correct posture, as well as the
building of a strong body with fast reflexes, good timing and judgment
of distance.
The mental focus and calmness of
mind that is possessed by the advanced iaido player is intense and well developed and only comes with years of study and practice.
As a koryu (old tradition) study of
martial arts iaido was found useful in two main areas; developing
physical techniques of the sword, and as an aid in developing the samurai's
character and personal philosophy.
Training in Iaido
Iaido students use an iaito (non-sharpened practice sword) in their training. Steel blades with an edge (a shinken, a live sharpened blade) are generally not used until the student has trained many years in perfecting their ability and have reached very senior ranks.
Training in iaido is primarily solo movements which must be individually perfected through repetition. A teacher guides the practice but only by individual practice can the student progress and develop the mental focus and physical skills necessary for mastery of the art form.
The emphasis is on control and precision in the handling of the sword and of the mind. The death that is desired is not the death of the opponent, but of the students' ego.
Iaido students spend many years learning to eliminate unnecessary physical actions so as to achieve direct and efficient movements including physical strength, awareness, posture,
poise, focus and dignity. The forms are deceptively simplistic looking until one puts on the sword and actually begins training. At this point their complexity becomes obvious. Once mastered however the efficient and focused movements needed to control the sword eventually translate to the development of the student's character and a calm state of mind.
Our Iaido Affiliations
The Aikibudokan is an Iaido Study Group that is affiliated with the North American San Shin Kai ("SSK"). The Iaido Sensei (teacher) is Craig Hocker Sensei, a Yudansha (black belt) in Iaido and a member of the SSK, a respected iaido organization teaching Muso Shinden Ryu, a well known koryu (iaido) art form.
|
