What
is Iaido?
The art of simultaneously drawing and cutting with the katana (Japanese
samurai sword). (can be said to be around 400 years old, since the
method of wearing the sword thrust in ones obi on the left side
was not popular until shortly before the start of the Tokugawa period,
1603-1868.)
Type
of Iaido?
(All Japan Kendo Federation) Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Seitei Gata
- Iai developed specifically for kenshi. Rough translation =
representative forms.
Iaido
and Kendo?
Both iaido and kendo are aspects of the same art, they should not
be thought of as separate. The student of iai and the student of
kendo will both learn valuable lessons from the study of the sister
art.
When
was it created?
In 1967 the ZNKR created the first 7 iai waza, created from numerous
iaido ryu. The forms consisted of three seiza, one tate hiza and
three tachi-ai kata.
In 1977 three more tachi-ai forms were added, bringing the total
to ten.
In 2000/2001 two more were added, bringing the total to 12.
What
level of iai is seitei?
The seitei set is considered Oku iai, or the beginners set. Much
like Omori Ryu was long considered. Seitei is now considered even
more basic than the Omori Ryu's set.
Important
aspects/things to watch for? - Regarding technique
Four primary defined actions in each iai kata
1. Nukitsuki: Drawing the sword
2. Kiritsuke and Sayabanare: Cutting techniques and the instant
the sword leaves the saya and the hasuji
3. Chiburi: Shaking the blood off the blade
4. Noto: Resheathing the sword
Important
aspects/things to watch for? - Others
Ki-Ken-Tai no itchi: the mind, sword and body in harmony.
Proper Reigi: correct attitude and etiquette.
Kokoro-Gamae: Correct mental posture - Judged by:
Calmness via eyes and attitude; metsuke defined not only by enzan
no metsuke but also made between kan
looking with the heart, and ken looking
with the eyes; spirit or seme that is so strong the opponent is
unable to draw his sword; zanshin not only directed at one's opponent
but directed at ALL opponents in the vicinity; consideration of
timing and distance - in seitei iai only Uke nagashi (sanbonme)
and kesa giri (gohonme) is the opponent invited to attack first.
In all other forms one must strick the degasira
of the opponent, the very instant that he wants to start his movement.
-------------------------------------------
Taken primarily from ZNKR Rules and Regulations for iaido matches,
article 12 points to consider for making
judgements, additional input from Kim's Big Book of Iaido, and David
Nakanishi's input via various sensei's sharing of knowledge. 2000.
Updated 4/24/01.
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