Iaido. The Art of Drawing the Katana.

I've been collecting knives and swords since I was a boy, but never formally trained in their proper use until now. I read and practiced solo at home, sure, but that's not really the best way to learn. It's even pretty dangerous. I'd been looking for a local Iaido/Sword dojo since 2000.

I finally found, and was accepted into, New York Budokai in May of 2002. Led by an experienced team of Iaidoka, our dojo practices the Muso Shinden Ryu style of Iaido. We also study Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu. Hundreds of years old, these styles have roots in the Samurai era of the mid 1600's.

Forged katana from Bugei Trading Company ™

The ryus we study were codified in this century with some changes applied. The styles are essentially a way of drawing and cutting in one motion, thus ending the confrontation before it really begins.

"Iaido is considered by many to be the epitome of modern Budo. Scarce in its movement, simple in its elegance, Iaido is marked by one essential set of profound relations - one breath, one cut, one victory. Armed against only him/herself, the Iaido practitioner has come to embody the Japanese aesthetic of minimalism. Each movement is marked by the spiritual depth of the Iaido practitioner..."
-- Tozando
After a formal round of "bowing in", we run through a warm-up set called "Happo Giri." Literally, Eight Direction Cuts. We do this with a wooden sword called a bokuto. After the set of 80 to 120 cuts, we go to the real swords called Iaito. These swords look and handle just like a "live" blade called a Shinken, but slightly dulled. We use this sword to run through the various kata that make up the particular style.

There are four main parts to each Kata. The draw (nukitsuke), the cut (kirioroshi etc), cleaning the blade (chiburi) and resheathing (noto). The first set of kata start from the formal sitting position called seiza. The advanced forms start from tatehiza.

The uniform consists of a pleated pant/skirt called Hakama and a top called a Keikogi. The sword is held in place with a wide belt called an Obi. We train barefooted. There are no outward signs of ranking, and honestly, ranking is not the point. Iaido is truly something one will never "master."

Also, it's about an inner struggle more so than an outer. The enemy is within. Iaido is not a self-defense martial art in this day and age. We don't wear swords in the street, right?

Obi and Tanto

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2/3/04
I posted to the Bugei Forum V1.0 back in 2002 regarding my entry into my local Iaido dojo, NY Budokai. I just wanted to add a few notes to V2.0.

After some time off due to various issues, I now find myself back on the floor two nights a week studying Tenshinsho Jigen and Muso Shinden Ryu as well as some Jodo. I've just come home...

It's not easy. I have bad knees, am a bit overweight and at times too strong for my own good. But I am learning every session. I get to class early and get on the floor to get in some solo time. I'm making some headway with the katas. The waza and kamae "snowball." One insight leads to another and then you struggle to forget what you know. To internalize it. Become one with it. And then you realize just thinking that is counter productive...

Zazen does not come easily to me. I dislike studying. But I buy and devour every related book I can find. The latest, Don Draeger's " Japanese Swordsmanship." And for "fun," "Samurai Sketches" and "Autumn Lightning." Kinokuniya bookstore in NYC is an addiction.

To those contemplating stepping into the road to set out upon it, do so. The rewards are physical, emotional and mental. Gassho.

Utility Sageo Ties

2/15/04
Tameshigiri is the way to test your hasuji, your cutting angles. All the waza and kata are very, very important for developing swordsmanship skills, but actually cutting something is the only way to confirm you're on the right path.

We cut makiwara, goza matting that's been tightly rolled to different thicknesses. The diameter should simulate a body part. Wrist, neck and even entire torsos from shoulder to hip and across the body at the waist.

In today's class I cut (multiple times) an arm sized makiwara from jodan no kamae, a deep stance where the katana is held over head. My attempts to cut another target of the same size from hidari waki no kamae were less sucessful. This stance has the katana held "hidden" from the enemy and the cut is "earth to sky" or floor to ceiling.

I used my Rob Criswell hollow ground katana. Tsuka close up photo here.

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Bokkuto at Rest

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Presentation Sageo Ties

1/30/05: Sensei Otani's Enbukai

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