Practice of Iaido
By Keith Rose
Iaido is a Kata based Martial Way, where cuts and thrusts of the
sword are aimed at an imaginary opponent. Most practice, therefore,
takes the form of repitition of a given kata [prescribed set of
movements] in an effort to make constant refinement to the movements
used. All Iaido practices begin and end with formal ettiquette
[Saho] and all Kata are made up of four essential elements;
Nukitsuke - The draw [leading to the initial cut or thrust]
Kiritsuke - The decisive cut
Chiburi - Symbolic removal of blood from the sword
Noto - The resheathing of the sword
At Do Shin Ken Yu Kai we practice two forms of Iaido, the
Z.N.K.R. Sei Tei Gata and Muso Shinden Ryu, the latter being a Koryu
or Old Tradition of Iai. Most newcomers to Iai will begin their
practice with Seitei Iaido and in time will gradually learn the
Koryu kata.
Sei Tei Iaido
There are currently Twelve kata contained in the Seitei system [
see History], the first four performed from a seated position and
the remaining eight from a standing position. These kata are
named;
Ipponme - Mae Nihonme - Ushiro Sanbonme - Uke
Nagashi Yonhonme - Tsuka Ate Gohonme - Kesa Giri Ropponme -
Morote Tsuki Nanahonme - Sanpo Giri Happonme - Gan Men
Ate Kyuhonme - Soete Tsuki Jupponme - Shiho Giri Jyuipponme
- Sou Giri Jyunihonme - Nuki Uchi
Most of these kata are representative of the central Jinsuke
-Eishin line [ see History] with the exception of 'Kesa Giri' and
'Soete Tsuki', both Kata showing elements of practice from the Hoki
ryu.
Examinations to determine rank are held in this country by the
British kendo Association who are in turn affiliated to the
International kendo Federation and the examinations are based upon
ability in and knowledge of the Seitei kata, with the exception that
in examinations for higher ranks some knowledge of and ability in
Koryu kata will be required. The benefit of this system is that it
gives common ground to the various traditional schools [Ryuha],
allowing individuals to be judged on kata that are common to all
schools rather than those of their own Ryuha which obviously differ
from those of other Ryuha. Examinations for rank are in no way
compulsory or essential to the practice of Iaido, but they do form a
means of judging improvement and can form the basis for further
improvement.
Muso Shinden Ryu
The Koryu form of Iaido practiced at Do Shin KenYu Kai is Muso
Shinden Ryu. The Muso Shinden Ryu was founded by Nakayama Hakudo
Hiromichi [see History] in the early 1900's and is the most commonly
practiced Koryu both in Japan and worldwide. It has it's own
ettiquette which is distinct from that used in Seitei Iai and the
syllabus of the schools is as follows;
Shoden - Consists of twelve kata taken from the teachings of the
'Omori Ryu'
Chuden - Consists of ten kata taken from the teachings of the
'Eishin ryu'
Okuden - Consists of twenty one kata taken from the central line
teachings of the 'Shimmei Muso Ryu'
All the above kata are practiced and performed on a solo basis,
but in addition to these there are two other elements to the
syllabus, 'Tachi Uchi no Kurai' and 'Tsumi Iai no Kurai', both
consisting of ten kata which are practiced with a partner.HOME
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