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How is Iaido
Practiced?
The main aspect of Iaido training
comes in the form of "waza" or forms. These waza are fairly short
compared to the kata of karate and some other martial arts. However,
within the various waza are techniques which could be used to
counter attacks from almost any conceivable angle.
The main body of each individual
waza varies from one to the other but they all contain four major
parts. First there is the draw (nukitsuke), where the sword is
swiftly removed from the scabbard and instantly employed in an
attack or defense. There are very few forms where the blade is drawn
and then held in a ready position.
Second is the main body of the waza
(kiritsuke), which consists of anywhere from one to several blocks,
thrusts and cuts.
Third is a move where the imaginary
enemy's blood is removed from the sword with a sweep or a flip of
the blade (chiburi).
Lastly, the sword is returned to
the scabbard with dignity, awareness and spiritual presence (noto).
In addition to practicing these
forms, a lot of time is spent on basic techniques and drills. Iaido
is an art where absolute perfection of every aspect of the technique
is the goal. Striving toward this unattainable perfection provides
both the challenge and the reward for those who have devoted
themselves to the training.
Forms:
All forms in shoden are performed
from seated position (seiza). The exception is koranto, which is
performed while standing. The shoden series is the first series of
forms that a student of Iaido will encounter. Later series include
for example Chuden and Okuden.
1. Sohatto
2. Hidarito
3. Migito
4. Atarito
5. Inyo Shintai
6. Ryuto
7. Junto
8. Gyakuto
9. Seichuto
10. Koranto
11. Nukiuzhi
12. Hizakakoi
Terminology:
Below is a list of the basic
terminology of Iaido. It is advisable to learn this list of words so
that you can be familiar with it when your instructor uses them:
- Bokken --- wooden sword
- Bokuto --- wooden sword
- Budo --- martial arts
- Chiburi --- flicking blood off the sword after cutting an opponent
- Daisho --- set of two swords carried by samurai (katana and
wakizashi)
- Furikaburi - lifting the sword above the head
- Gi --- jacket top
- Ha --- edge of katana blade
- Hakama --- pleated split skirt
- Iaido --- the way of drawing the sword
- Iaidoka --- one who practices iaido
- Iaito --- unsharpened sword used when practicing iaido
- Kancho --- a head instructor of a school
- Katana --- long, sharpened sword used when practicing iaido
- Katana-Bukuro --- cloth cover for the katana
- Kirioroshi - downward cutting motion
- Kissaki --- tip of katana blade
- Kurigata --- loop for cord on scabbard
- Menuki --- ornament for grip of katana
- Mogitou --- a sword designed for the practice of Iaido
- Monouchi --- upper third of katana blade (the cutting portion of
the blade)
- Montsuki --- jacket top worn at formal occasions
- Mune --- back of katana blade
- Noutou --- replacing the sword into its scabbard
- Nukitsuke -- drawing the sword from its scabbard
- Obi --- wide cloth belt worn to indicate rank
- Omote --- face of the katana blade
- Rei --- bow to show respect
- Reishiki --- proper etiquette
- Sagaru --- command to take several steps backward at the end of a
form
- Sageo --- cord on scabbard
- Saya --- scabbard for katana
- Seiza --- correct seated posture
- Sempai --- a senior student
- Sensei --- instructor
- Seppa --- collar of katana (around the tsuba)
- Shibucho --- a divisional head instructor
- Shinken --- a folded and tempered Japanese blade made in the
traditional method
- Souke --- a guardian of a style
- Suwariwaza --- any technique that begins from a seated position
- Tachiwaza --- correct standing techniques
- Tameshigiri --- test cut
- Tatehiza --- half-seated position with right knee raised
- Tourei --- bow to show respect for the weapon
- Tsuba --- swordguard of katana
- Tsuka --- handle of katana
- Tsukaito --- handle wrap of katana
- Wakizashi -- short, sharpened sword used when practicing iaido
- Zarei --- seated bows
What equipment
is needed for Iaido?
Several Items are required. The
most obvious is the sword. Most students use a sword called an
"Iaito". This is a training sword with a metal blade, usually a
zinc-aluminum alloy. The blade does not have a sharp edge and cannot
be sharpened. However, good ones are very well made and simulate the
balance and feel of a real sword very closely. These Iaito are made
for intense iaido training and are not to be confused with the cheap
decorative wall-hanging type or even worse, the gaudy and poor
quality stainless steel replicas which have flooded the market
lately.
Beginners should start their
training with a wooden sword until they decide if they are going to
stick with the art.
Except for the sword, all of the
other items needed are "reasonable" in price and can be easily
obtained. You will need a hakama (a pleated, divided skirt-like
garment), an uwagi (a jacket similar to a karate-gi jacket), an obi
(belt for holding the sword), and if training on a wooden floor; a
set of knee pads. With these items, you will be ready to begin Iaido
training. |
