Iaido
Encyclopedia
is a modern Japanese martial art
associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword
from its scabbard
, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students of iaido may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken
) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, many of those who study iaido use a blunt edged sword (iaitō
). Few more experienced iaido practitioners, use a sharp edged sword (shinken
).
Practitioners of iaido are often referred to as iaidoka.
Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms, or kata
. Multiple person kata exist within some schools of iaido, when iaidoka will usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does include competition in form of kata
but does not use sparring of any kind. Because of this non-fighting aspect, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen
."
Iaido forms (kata
) are performed solitarily against one or more imaginary opponents. Some iaido schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Most of the styles and schools do not practice tameshigiri
, cutting techniques.
A very important part of iaido, is nukitsuke or the life of iaido. This is a very quick draw of the sword, accomplished by simultaneously drawing the sword from the saya and also moving the saya back in saya-biki.
The word iaido approximately translates into English as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction."
It was coined in the 1930s, replacing the earlier and more literal name battōjutsu (抜刀術 "art of drawing the sword").
Battōjutsu is the historical (ca. 15th century) term encompassing both the practice of drawing the sword and cutting (tameshigiri
). The term iaijutsu
(居合術) was known before the Tokugawa period (before 1603) , and the term iaido was known from 1932. Iaido is due to the general trend (stemming from gendai budō
) to replace the suffix -jutsu with -dō in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize a philosophical or spiritual component.
Iaido is the usual term to refer to the modern self-improvement oriented-form taught e.g. by the All Japan Kendo Federation
(AJKF), while Iaijutsu
is used for some amongst the older koryū
combative techniques.
The primary emphasis in iaido is on the psychological state of being present (居). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).
by Watatani Kiyoshi and Yamada Tadashi, Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is credited with establishing the influence and popularity of the art early in the 16th century, that is today widely practised as iaido.
However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu
had been developed by Iizasa Ienao
, the founder of the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
.
The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
(天真正伝香取神道流) included iaijutsu
in its curriculum in the 15th century. The first schools dedicated exclusively to sword drawing appeared some time during the late 16th or early 17th century. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信) (1546–1621) is generally credited with being the originator of the first dedicated school of sword drawing. Little is known of his life, leading some scholars to doubt his historical existence as a real person. The two largest schools of sword drawing that are practised today are the Musō Shinden-ryū
(夢想神伝流) and Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
(無雙直傳英信流). Both schools trace their lineage to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu through Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu.
is the standard set of iaido kata created in 1968 by a committee formed by the All Japan Kendo Federation
(AJKF, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR).
The twelve Seitei iaido forms (seitei-gata) are standardised for the tuition, promotion and propagation of iaido within the kendo federations. Although not all dojo teach seitei iaido, the AJKF uses them as a standard for their iaido exams and shiai. As a result, seitei iaido has become the most widely recognised form of iaido in Japan and the rest of the world.
styles practiced in Japan, the two most popular koryū
styles practiced worldwide are Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
and Musō Shinden-ryū
. They resemble each other quite strongly because they branched off from one style sometime in the 18th century, first forming the branches of Shimomura-ha and Tanimura-ha.
These two branches would co-exist for many years until Ōe Masamichi Shikei, the 17th headmaster, brought together the Tanimura-ha, Hasegawa Eishin-ryū and the Ōmori-ryū to form what is today's Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.
The last Shimomura-ha (claimed) headmaster, Nakayama Hakudō
who is considered the 16th, created a sword drawing art called Musō Shinden Battōjutsu that was heavily influenced by his Shimomura-ha training, but also took elements from other iaido-arts and would later become the Musō Shinden-ryū.
Although the schools' techniques resemble each other, there are several differences. Outwardly the most obvious differences might be seen for example in the nōtō (sheathing the katana back into the saya). In Shinden
, the start of the nōtō is done on the horizontal plane, then rotated to the vertical plane by the end of the nōtō. In Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
, the nōtō starts in an almost vertical plane and continues in that plane throughout the nōtō.
There are several branches of Eishin-ryū and Shinden-ryū that are practised today. Different lines and Iaido organisations often recognise different people as their sōke
.
and was developed from a strong influence of Zen. It is characterized by short, direct movements. As it was developed in 1697 by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi
[or Sukeshige], a Zen
practitioner, it has deep links with Zen Buddhism. The original style created by Gettan was a kenjutsu school rather than iaido. Today's Mugai ryu iaido was established by Takahashi Hachisuke Mitsusuke and his younger brother Hidezu in mid Edo period. They studied a style called Jikyo-ryū under the fifth and last generation headmasters Yamamura Masashige. There are several distinct lineages of Mugai ryu throughout Japan
today.
, naginatajutsu
, kenpō
and kusarigamajutsu
are practised as well. It was founded by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu c. 1615.
, Tamiya-ryū
, Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
, Takenouchi-ryū
, Eishin-ryū and more.
battōjutsu. This is a style originating in the late 19th century, and taught primarily to officers in the Second World War. It is different from the Edo period styles primarily in that all techniques are performed from a standing position. Toyama-ryū
was in turn the basis of Nakamura-ryū, created by Nakamura Taizaburo (1912-2003); incorporating nōtō and kamae from older Koryū
, notably Ōmori-ryū
. It has been a long time since any differing schools have competed using shinken
(sharp blades); hence it cannot be said that the traditional schools are superior to the modern schools, or vice versa, in the ultimate test.
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
from its scabbard
Scabbard
A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...
, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students of iaido may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken
Bokken
A bokken , "wood", and ken, "sword") , is a Japanese wooden sword used for training. It is usually the size and shape of a katana, but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the wakizashi and tantō...
) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, many of those who study iaido use a blunt edged sword (iaitō
Iaito
is the name given by practitioners of iaido to , literally meaning "mock" or "imitation sword", an imitation katana used for practicing some Japanese sword arts. A real or "live" Japanese sword is often called a shinken.-Materials and manufacture:...
). Few more experienced iaido practitioners, use a sharp edged sword (shinken
Shinken
is a Japanese term used to describe a Japanese sword that is sharp and used for real cutting or combat, as opposed to those that are blunted for other types of practice. Today, they are primarily used for high level iaido and/or tameshigiri practice. Unlike an iaito or mogito , a shinken has a...
).
Practitioners of iaido are often referred to as iaidoka.
Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms, or kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
. Multiple person kata exist within some schools of iaido, when iaidoka will usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does include competition in form of kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
but does not use sparring of any kind. Because of this non-fighting aspect, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
."
Iaido forms (kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
) are performed solitarily against one or more imaginary opponents. Some iaido schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Most of the styles and schools do not practice tameshigiri
Tameshigiri
Tameshigiri is the Japanese art of target test cutting. The kanji literally mean "test cut"...
, cutting techniques.
A very important part of iaido, is nukitsuke or the life of iaido. This is a very quick draw of the sword, accomplished by simultaneously drawing the sword from the saya and also moving the saya back in saya-biki.
Name
It was coined in the 1930s, replacing the earlier and more literal name battōjutsu (抜刀術 "art of drawing the sword").
Battōjutsu is the historical (ca. 15th century) term encompassing both the practice of drawing the sword and cutting (tameshigiri
Tameshigiri
Tameshigiri is the Japanese art of target test cutting. The kanji literally mean "test cut"...
). The term iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
(居合術) was known before the Tokugawa period (before 1603) , and the term iaido was known from 1932. Iaido is due to the general trend (stemming from gendai budō
Gendai Budo
, meaning "modern martial way", are modern Japanese martial arts which were established after the Meiji Restoration . Koryū are the opposite: ancient martial arts established before the Meiji Restoration.-Scope and tradition:...
) to replace the suffix -jutsu with -dō in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize a philosophical or spiritual component.
Iaido is the usual term to refer to the modern self-improvement oriented-form taught e.g. by the All Japan Kendo Federation
All Japan Kendo Federation
The All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
(AJKF), while Iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
is used for some amongst the older koryū
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
combative techniques.
The primary emphasis in iaido is on the psychological state of being present (居). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).
History
In the book Bugei Ryuha DaijitenBugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
by Watatani Kiyoshi and Yamada Tadashi, Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is credited with establishing the influence and popularity of the art early in the 16th century, that is today widely practised as iaido.
However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
had been developed by Iizasa Ienao
Iizasa Ienao
was the founder of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū which is a traditional Japanese martial art. His Buddhist posthumous name is Taiganin-den-Taira-no-Ason-Iga-no-Kami-Raiodo-Hon-Daikoji....
, the founder of the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu
is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village , who was living near Katori Shrine at the time...
.
The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu
is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village , who was living near Katori Shrine at the time...
(天真正伝香取神道流) included iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
in its curriculum in the 15th century. The first schools dedicated exclusively to sword drawing appeared some time during the late 16th or early 17th century. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信) (1546–1621) is generally credited with being the originator of the first dedicated school of sword drawing. Little is known of his life, leading some scholars to doubt his historical existence as a real person. The two largest schools of sword drawing that are practised today are the Musō Shinden-ryū
Muso Shinden-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
(夢想神伝流) and Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
(無雙直傳英信流). Both schools trace their lineage to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu through Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu.
Seitei Iaido
Seitei Iaido (制定) or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei IaidoZen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido
Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido is the iaidō style of the All Japan Kendo Federation . This style of standardised iaido is also known as Seitei Iaido or Zenkenren Iaido ....
is the standard set of iaido kata created in 1968 by a committee formed by the All Japan Kendo Federation
All Japan Kendo Federation
The All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
(AJKF, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR).
The twelve Seitei iaido forms (seitei-gata) are standardised for the tuition, promotion and propagation of iaido within the kendo federations. Although not all dojo teach seitei iaido, the AJKF uses them as a standard for their iaido exams and shiai. As a result, seitei iaido has become the most widely recognised form of iaido in Japan and the rest of the world.
Tōhō Iaido
The All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR, Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei, founded 1948) has a set of five iaido forms, Tōhō Iaido. This is essentially the ZNIR equivalent of the Seitei Iaido set. These five forms are from the five different major iaido schools.- Maegiri Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryūMuso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
- Zengogiri Mugai-ryūMugai-ryuis a Japanese koryū martial art school founded by in 23rd June 1680.- History :The founder of Mugai ryu, Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi 辻月丹資茂 was born to Tsuji Yadayū descendant of Sasaki Takadzuna, in the second year of Keihan ,in the Miya-mura-aza village area 宮村字 of Masugi 馬杉, in the Kōka-gun district...
- Kiriage Shindō Munen-ryū
- Shihôgiri Suiō-ryū
- Kissakigaeshi Hōki-ryū
Classical period Iaido
List of koryū iaido-schoolsMusō Jikiden Eishin-ryū and Musō Shinden-ryū
Although there are a wide range of koryūKoryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
styles practiced in Japan, the two most popular koryū
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
styles practiced worldwide are Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
and Musō Shinden-ryū
Muso Shinden-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
. They resemble each other quite strongly because they branched off from one style sometime in the 18th century, first forming the branches of Shimomura-ha and Tanimura-ha.
These two branches would co-exist for many years until Ōe Masamichi Shikei, the 17th headmaster, brought together the Tanimura-ha, Hasegawa Eishin-ryū and the Ōmori-ryū to form what is today's Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.
The last Shimomura-ha (claimed) headmaster, Nakayama Hakudō
Nakayama Hakudo
, also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaidō style Musō Shinden-ryū. He is the only person to have received both jūdan and hanshi ranks in kendō, iaidō, and jōdō from the All Japan Kendo Federation...
who is considered the 16th, created a sword drawing art called Musō Shinden Battōjutsu that was heavily influenced by his Shimomura-ha training, but also took elements from other iaido-arts and would later become the Musō Shinden-ryū.
Although the schools' techniques resemble each other, there are several differences. Outwardly the most obvious differences might be seen for example in the nōtō (sheathing the katana back into the saya). In Shinden
Muso Shinden-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
, the start of the nōtō is done on the horizontal plane, then rotated to the vertical plane by the end of the nōtō. In Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
, the nōtō starts in an almost vertical plane and continues in that plane throughout the nōtō.
There are several branches of Eishin-ryū and Shinden-ryū that are practised today. Different lines and Iaido organisations often recognise different people as their sōke
Soke (martial arts)
, pronounced , is a Japanese term that means "the head family [house]." In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term iemoto...
.
Mugai ryu
Mugai ryu was once one of the more famous styles in Japan in the Edo periodEdo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
and was developed from a strong influence of Zen. It is characterized by short, direct movements. As it was developed in 1697 by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi
Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi
Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi was a Japanese swordsman who founded the kenjutsu of Mugai-ryū in 1695. Tsuji Gettan was born in Masugimura, Omi as the second son to a local samurai...
[or Sukeshige], a Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
practitioner, it has deep links with Zen Buddhism. The original style created by Gettan was a kenjutsu school rather than iaido. Today's Mugai ryu iaido was established by Takahashi Hachisuke Mitsusuke and his younger brother Hidezu in mid Edo period. They studied a style called Jikyo-ryū under the fifth and last generation headmasters Yamamura Masashige. There are several distinct lineages of Mugai ryu throughout Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
today.
Suiō-ryū
Suiō-ryū is a traditional style that specialises in sword drawing, both solo and paired, but other arts, like jōjutsuJodo
, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...
, naginatajutsu
Naginatajutsu
is the Japanese martial art of wielding the . This is a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. Most naginatajutsu practiced today is in a modernized form, a gendai budō, in which competitions also are held.-Debated origins:...
, kenpō
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
and kusarigamajutsu
Kusarigamajutsu
is the art of using the Japanese weapon kusarigama.Kusarigamajutsu is featured in several separate martial arts such as Koga Ha Kurokawa Ryū Heiho Ninjutsu, Suio Ryū and Shintō Musō-ryū...
are practised as well. It was founded by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu c. 1615.
Other styles
Other styles that incorporate sword drawing in their curriculum are, for example, Motobu Udundi from Okinawa, Shindō Munen-ryū, Shinkage-ryū, Hōki-ryū, Tatsumi-ryūTatsumi-ryu
is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts founded in the early 16th century by Tatsumi Sankyo.-History:Tatsumi Sankyo was born in what is now Ehime Prefecture, Japan, on Shikoku island. He is thought to have been active as a warrior in the Eishō Era . Tatsumi trained in the martial arts...
, Tamiya-ryū
Tamiya-ryū
Tamiya-ryū can refer to two different iaijutsu ryūgi:*"Ta-miya"-ryū , an iaijutsu koryū founded by Tamiya Heibei Norimasa .*"Tami-ya"-ryū , an iaijutsu koryū founded by Tamiya Gon'emon Muneshige ....
, Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu
is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village , who was living near Katori Shrine at the time...
, Takenouchi-ryū
Takenouchi-ryu
is one of the oldest jujutsu koryū in Japan. It was founded in 1532, the first year of Tenbun on the twenty-fourth of the sixth lunar month by Takenouchi Chūnagon Daijō Nakatsukasadaiyū Hisamori, the lord of Ichinose Castle in Sakushū...
, Eishin-ryū and more.
Iaido/battō in the 20th century
A style of sword drawing art is Toyama-ryūToyama-ryu
is Battōjutsu which refer to a combination of Iaijutsu, kata, and tameshigiri created by the Imperial Japanese Army. It is based on Gunto Soho forms developed in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or "Toyama Army Academy" in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. The original training and forms were established by...
battōjutsu. This is a style originating in the late 19th century, and taught primarily to officers in the Second World War. It is different from the Edo period styles primarily in that all techniques are performed from a standing position. Toyama-ryū
Toyama-ryu
is Battōjutsu which refer to a combination of Iaijutsu, kata, and tameshigiri created by the Imperial Japanese Army. It is based on Gunto Soho forms developed in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or "Toyama Army Academy" in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. The original training and forms were established by...
was in turn the basis of Nakamura-ryū, created by Nakamura Taizaburo (1912-2003); incorporating nōtō and kamae from older Koryū
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
, notably Ōmori-ryū
Omori-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Ōmori Rokurōzaemon Masamitsu , probably in the latter half of the seventeenth century. The techniques developed by Masamitsu were later incorporated into Hasegawa Eishin-ryū and continue to be taught to this day as the first series of kata in Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū...
. It has been a long time since any differing schools have competed using shinken
Shinken
is a Japanese term used to describe a Japanese sword that is sharp and used for real cutting or combat, as opposed to those that are blunted for other types of practice. Today, they are primarily used for high level iaido and/or tameshigiri practice. Unlike an iaito or mogito , a shinken has a...
(sharp blades); hence it cannot be said that the traditional schools are superior to the modern schools, or vice versa, in the ultimate test.
See also
- Aikibudo
- AikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
- BattōjutsuBattojutsuis a Japanese term meaning techniques for engaging a sword. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu, battōdō, or iaidō, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts may use them to differentiate between techniques...
- Gosho MotoharuGosho MotoharuGosho Motoharu 五所 元治 is one prominent master of the traditional Samurai arts, Koryu Budo or Kobudo. Shihan , of the schools Niten Ichi Ryu and Sekiguchi Ryu. Has Menkyo kaiden, in both schools. Is also Iaido Hachidan and Kendo Nanadan...
- IaijutsuIaijutsu, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
- Japanese martial artsJapanese martial artsJapanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
- KendoKendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
- KenjutsuKenjutsu, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
- ShinkendoShinkendois a martial art that teaches the way of samurai swordsmanship. The meaning of the name Shinkendo can be interpreted multiple ways. Literally, "Shin" can be translated as 'real', "ken" as 'sword', and "do" as 'way', thus one English translation of the art's name is "Way of the Real Sword". ...
Further reading
- "Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido". Publisher: Weatherhill; 1 edition (Jun 1 1994).
- "Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai", English Version Manual, 3rd edition, published December 2009, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.
- "Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and practice". By Gordon Warner & Donn F. Draeger. Publisher: Weatherhill; 1982.
- “Flashing Steel, 2nd Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryū-Swordsmanship”. By Masayuki Shimabukurō & Leonard J. Pellman. Publisher: Blue Snake Books; 2008}}
- De Lange, William, Iaido: History, Teaching & Practice Of Japanese Swordsmanship, Weatherhill, 2002. ISBN 0834805006
External links
- All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF/ZNKR).
- International Kendo Federation (FIK).
- Japan Iaido Federation (Nippon Iaido Renmei/NIR).