Vancouver Eishin Ryu Iaido Club: November 2011

The Way Of The Sword

The Vancouver Eishin-Ryu Iaido Club is dedicated to the study of the traditional Japanese martial art of Iaido. Iaido is the art of drawing a katana (commonly referred to as a Samurai sword) and delivering a decisive strike against one or more opponents. Iaido is one of the oldest Japanese martial arts, and our dojo can trace its unbroken lineage all the way back to the early 1600s in Japan.

Iaido waza (techniques) always begin and end with the student's sword sheathed. Unlike Kendo, which is the art of sword-fighting once swords have already been drawn (similar to Western fencing), Iaido focuses on quick and effective responses to unjustified or surprise attacks.

Students of Iaido, known as Iaidoka, do not compete against one another -- waza are performed individually against imaginary opponents. However, students should aim to react and behave as though they were engaged in a life or death situation. The ability to achieve focused concentration and stillness under such oppressive circumstances is one of the many goals in Iaido.

There is a saying in Japanese: 'Saya no uchi no kachi.' This translates roughly to 'Victory in the sheath.' and is the ultimate goal of the sword arts. By perfecting oneself through Iaido practice, battles can be diffused or won before taking the drastic step of unsheathing a sword.

Our school studies the classical main branch of Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido under the guidance of Kobara Kenichi, Hanshi, President of the 一般社団法人　正統正流無雙直傳英信流居合道国際連盟 - Ippan shadan hojin Seito Seiryu Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Kokusai Renmei (World Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Federation). Our Vancouver instructor is Hiro Inoue Sensei, 8th Dan (八段).

Vancouver Eishin Ryu Iaido Club

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hiro Sensei's visit to Boston