Respect shown to the sword (To·ne·rei) before and after practice.

I·ai·dō (居合道), approximately "the path of mental presence and immediate reaction", is a Japanese martial art associated with smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard or saya (鞘), striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the saya. Modern day iaido exponents typically use an iaito for practice. Beginners may use an iaito while the more advanced practitioner might use a shinken (sharpened sword). Download high resolution version (1815x622, 84 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1815x622, 84 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. ... It has been suggested that War-sword be merged into this article or section. ... A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword. ... A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword. ... An iaito (居合刀, iaitō) is a Japanese sword used for studying the art of iaido. ... An iaito (居合刀, iaitō) is a Japanese sword used for studying the art of iaido. ... Shin·ken (真剣, しんけん), lit. ...

Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is generally credited with establishing the influence and popularity of iaido, early in the sixteenth century. However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu had been developed by Iizasa Ienao, the founder of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryū. Iizasa Ienao (飯篠家直 Iizasa Ienao) (c. ...

Iaido should not be confused with kendo (剣道) or kenjutsu (剣術): Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ...

• Kendo teaching does not include drawing and re-sheathing of a sword. The main weapon used in kendo, a flexible bamboo shinai, uses no scabbard. Kendo is practiced with a partner in full contact training or in kata practice.

• Kenjutsu is executed in the form of kata, but usually in pairs, and often does include drawing or resheathing of the sword.

Delineation from battōjutsu (抜刀術), literally "technique of drawing the sword" is more difficult: 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) became prevalent later (ca. 17th century), and the current term iaido is due to the general trend (stemming from gendai budo) to replace -jutsu with -do in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize a mental or even spiritual component. In contemporary usage, battōjutsu focuses on the techniques of cutting, with individual practice kata that starts with the sword in the sheath. A Shinai made from Bamboo A shinai (Japanese: ) is a practice weapon used primarily in Kendo. ... Kata (åž‹ or å½¢) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ... Battōjutsu ) is a sword-based Japanese martial art. ... Tameshigiri is the art of target test cutting. ... Gendai Budō (現代 武道) means Modern martial arts in Japanese. ... Kata (åž‹ or å½¢) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ...

Iaido forms, or kata, are performed individually against one or more imaginary opponents. Some traditional iaido schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Some styles and schools also do not practice tameshigiri, cutting techniques. Kata (åž‹ or å½¢) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ... Tameshigiri is the art of target test cutting. ...

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). Starting positions can be from combative postures or from everyday sitting or standing positions. The ability to react quickly from different starting positions was considered essential for a samurai (侍). Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ...

A very important part of iaido, is nukitsuke or the life of iai. This is a very quick draw accomplished by drawing the sword out of the saya by moving the saya back in saya biki. The blade may be brought out of the saya and used in a quick nukitsuke slashing motion.

History of Iai

The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū (天真正伝香取神道流) included iaijutsu (居合術) in its curriculum in 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 (林崎甚助重信) (1546–1621) is generally credited with as 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. Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryÅ« (天真正伝香取神道流) is one of the oldest extant martial arts in Japan, an exemplar of koryÅ« bujutsu. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... 1621 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Musō Shinden ryÅ« (夢想神伝流) is a branch of the discipline iaido. ... Musō Jikiden Eishin RyÅ« peerless, directly transmitted, style of Eishin) is the most widely practiced style of iaido in Kansai Japan, and also has strong presence in the United States and Canada. ...

Before Nakayama Hakudo (1873?-1958) coined the word iaido, early in the 20th century, various other names such as battō, battōjutsu, or saya no uchi were used. Iaido is the usual term to refer to the modern self improvement oriented form taught by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF), while Iaijutsu is used for some amongst the older koryū, combative, techniques. Nakayama Hakudo (1873?-1958), also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaido style Musō Shinden-ryÅ«. He is the only person to have received both judan (10th degree) and hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendo, iaido, and jodo from the All Japan Kendo... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Battōjutsu ) is a sword-based Japanese martial art. ... The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) or Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei was founded in 1952. ... KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ...

Seitei Iaido

Seitei iaido (制定) is the style of the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR). The AJKF was founded in 1952, immediately following the restoration of Japanese independence and the subsequent lift of the ban on martial arts in Japan. In 1969, the AJKF introduced its seitei curriculum of seven iaido kata. These were drawn from or based on several of the major traditional sword schools, including Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, Musō Shinden-ryū and Hoki-ryū. Three more kata were added in 1981 and two more in 2000, increasing the number of seitei iaido kata to the current twelve. These kata are officially known as Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei Iai (全日本剣道連盟居合) or Zen Ken Ren Iai (全剣連居合) but are still commonly referred to as seitei or seitei-gata. The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) or Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei was founded in 1952. ... Musō Jikiden Eishin RyÅ« peerless, directly transmitted, style of Eishin) is the most widely practiced style of iaido in Kansai Japan, and also has strong presence in the United States and Canada. ... Musō Shinden ryÅ« (夢想神伝流) is a branch of the discipline iaido. ... Hoki-ryÅ« is a Japanese koryu martial art founded in the late Muromachi period by Katayama Hoki-no-kami Fujiwara Hisayasu (1575-1650). ...

These twelve seitei-gata are now 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 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.

Seiteigata

Dojo that are affiliated with the All Japan Kendo Federation generally begin practice with these twelve seitei-gata. AJKF dojos typically start students on these before going on to teach any classical forms of iaido that may be included in their curriculum.

Classical period-Iai

The two main classical styles (koryū) of iaido 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, under Oguro Motouemon Kiyakatsu sensei. After Oguro, there came into being two branches that were formed on philosophical differences between two students of Oguro: The Shimomura-ha and Tanimura-ha (branches), the former being headed by Maysuyori Teisuke Hisanari and the latter by Matsuyoshi Teisuke (Shinsuke) Hisanari, who became the 12th sōke. KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ... Musō Jikiden Eishin RyÅ« peerless, directly transmitted, style of Eishin) is the most widely practiced style of iaido in Kansai Japan, and also has strong presence in the United States and Canada. ... Musō Shinden ryÅ« (夢想神伝流) is a branch of the discipline iaido. ...

These two branches would co-exist for many years until Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū officially came into being in the early 20th century through the initiative of Oe Masamichi Shikei, the 17th headmaster of the Jikiden Eishin-ryū. Oe would bring together the Tanimura-ha, Hasegawa Eishin-ryū and the Omori-ryū to form what is today's Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.

The Shimomura-ha held its own headmasters and philosophy for many years but would eventually fade away. The last Shimomura-ha (claimed) headmaster, Nakayama Hakudo who is considered the 18th, created a new iai-art called Musō Shinden Battōjutsu that was heavily influenced by his Shimomura-ha training, but also took elements from other iai-arts. Nakayama Hakudo is not known to have taught the "pure" Shimomura-ha teachings in its complete form to any of his students and thus it can be argued that Shimomura-ha no longer exists as a separate entity, even though elements of it remain in what would later become the modern Musō Shinden-ryū.

One of the differences between the two schools can be seen in the nōtō (sheathing the katana back in the saya). In Musō Shinden, nōtō is done on the horizontal plane, the blade parallel to the floor. In Jikiden, the blade is perpendicular to the floor in a more or less vertical plane.

A less well-known, style of iaido is Mugai-ryū. Mugai-ryū was developed for use in the narrow streets of Edo, and is characterized by short, direct movements. Chiburi, for example, is performed with a much smaller movement than in other styles, and is not used at all in zagi waza. As it was developed in 1697 by Tsuji Gettan Sukeshige, a Zen practitioner, it has deep links with Zen buddhism. In advanced waza, the focus is on techniques that neutralize the opponent, rather than kill. There are several distinct lineages of Mugai-ryū throughout Japan. Sōke Hosho Shiokawa is regarded as the 15th sōke of Mugai-ryū Iaihyōdō. Mugai-ryu is a japanese koryu martial art school founded by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi (sometimes written as Sukeshige) in 1695. ...

There are several branches of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū (MJER) that are practised today. Different Iaido organisations generally recognise different people as their sōke. One person who is considered to be a sōke is Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, who holds a 9th Dan in MJER. The All Japan Iaido Federation (Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei) recognises Ajisai Hirai (9th Dan Hanshi) as the 22nd sōke of MJER. Soke is a Japanese title that means Headmaster (or sometimes translated as Grand Master or Head of the Family). It can mean one who is the leader of any school or the master of a style, but it is most commonly used as a highest level Japanese martial arts title...

There are several lines of transmission extant for Musō Shinden-ryū also. One of them claims Mitsuzuka Takeshi as the sōke, second one (those who are affiliated with Nippon Iaido Kyokai) regard Takada Gakudō as their head teacher.

In the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei, there are two lines representing the Musō school. The current sōke for Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū is Fukui Torao (21st master), and the last sōke for Musō Shinden-ryū was Nakayama Hakudo with no official successor. The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) or Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei was founded in 1952. ... Nakayama Hakudo (1873?-1958), also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaido style Musō Shinden-ryÅ«. He is the only person to have received both judan (10th degree) and hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendo, iaido, and jodo from the All Japan Kendo...

Modern Iai/battō

A newer style of iaijutsu is Toyama-ryū 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 older 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; incorporating nōtō and kamae from older Koryū, notably Omori-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. Toyama-ryÅ« (戸山流) is a modern form of iai created by the Japanese Army in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or Toyama Army Academy in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Toyama-ryÅ« (戸山流) is a modern form of iai created by the Japanese Army in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or Toyama Army Academy in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. ... Nakamura-ryÅ« Happogiri Battodo is a modern battojutsu style created by Nakamura Taizaburo, Hanshi 10th dan Shodai Soke, Nakamura-ryÅ« . // Nakamura developed battōdō while teaching kenjutsu in northern China. ... KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ... Shin·ken (真剣, しんけん), lit. ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

iaido

• Battōjutsu
• Kenjutsu
• Kendō

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Battōjutsu ) is a sword-based Japanese martial art. ... Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ... Kendo (剣道 Kendō) or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ...

External links

Seitei Iaido

• All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF/ZNKR).
• All United States Kendo Federation.
• Argentine Kendo-Iaido Association.
• Australian Kendo Renmei.
• Brazilian Kendo-Iaido Association.
• British Kendo Association.
• Canadian Iaidō Association.
• Irish Iai Association.
• Canadian Kendo Federation .
• International Kendo Federation (FIK).
• Nishi Kaigan Iaido Dojo.

Further reading

• "Budo Mind and Body : Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts" by Nicklaus Suino.