Iaijutsu / Iaido - A good start?

[Yoarashi Kode]

I was wondering if Iaido would be a good thing to start with for learning japanese swordsmanship? I mean making a transfer from Iaido then later to a kenjutsu style...

I don't know much on Iaido, except for the fact that you practice alone, maybe practice with a bokken, or with an iaito, and that in the katas, the katana, or iaito, both starts and ends in the saya.

So, what i'm getting at is, would iado be a good introduction into swordsmanship?




< Sente-hisshou, Seisei-doudou, demo, anata wa jishin-manman da.
Dakedo, Yudan-taiteki >

[Chrono]

Well, it's better than nothing, isn't it?

[Yoarashi Kode]

Whoa~ only one reply~

this was dead before it started...

[Chuck.Gordon]

First, well, iaido/jutsu IS Japanese swordsmanship. Find a good teacher, a good group, see if you like what they do. There are several styles of iaido, some include partner training as well as solo kata.

Second, Never mind, I was going to ask you for your full name, but finally saw it amid the Nihongo in your sig.

Good luck!

Chuck

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Yoarashi Kode
Whoa~ only one reply~

this was dead before it started...
Give it some time. Some of us work full time and go to school on top of it. Others are in different time zones and might be sleeping when you post.

As to your post; yes, I think Iaido would be a good way to practice Japanese swordsmanship. Although the solo forms are the most widely known aspect, many Iaido schools also have paired forms and some have target cutting.

As for being an "introduction" to swordsmanship, I imagine many life-long Iaidoka might say that Iaido is swordsmanship.

[Brian Owens]

Looks like Chuck Gordon and I have similar schedules. We were both typing at the same time, and said about the same thing.

Great minds think alike. :laugh:

[pgsmith]

I don't know if JSA is something that you really want to get into. You are disappointed in not getting a reply to your question within a half hour. How are you going to feel when when you are told that it takes a lifetime of training and you'll never really master the Japanese Sword?

This is the age of instant gratification, and I have run across this problem many times. People will ask how long it will take them to become masters. I have to tell them never. They then get upset with me (as if it's my fault!) and leave. With so much available so quickly today, it is sometimes hard for young people (and some older people!) to get their head around the fact that this stuff isn't easy and doesn't come quickly.

Perhaps you were just having a bit of anxiety. Perhaps you are willing to put in long hours of boring and repetitious practice. Just be aware of the fact that this is the majority of JSA training. Especially in the beginning!

Good luck in your search!

Cheers,

[Chuck.Gordon]

PGsmith is right. Learning sword is quite often about as exciting as watching paint dry.

It takes patience and dedication.

If you're really interested, find a club or clubs, watch several classes. If you can watch a couple-three classes without getting bored, then you might give it a try.

PG, I get much the same response when folks ask how long to black belt, etc. Sigh. Media-influenced perceptions of martial arts are so odd.

Chuck

[chrismoses]

I've heard it said that watching Iaido is like watching dry paint.

:D

[gendzwil]

Originally posted by chrismoses
I've heard it said that watching Iaido is like watching dry paint.

:D
Only if its beige.

[DCPan]

Originally posted by chrismoses
I've heard it said that watching Iaido is like watching dry paint.

:D

But if the paint is already dry, why am I suffering from breathing the fumes? :D

[TimothyKleinert]

Besides the whole, "iaido is JSA"-thing already mentioned, many newcomers expect that they are going to get a choice in what they study. I'm sorry to say that most of us have to take whatever we can get.

Most areas offer a kendo dojo, which in turn usually offers some sort of iaido (even if it's just the kendo-kata). But beyond that most areas only offer one or two other options (and you may have to drive to reach them). Major cities will sometimes have more options, but it's still pretty limited (Chicago has 4 JSA options besides kendo, for example, and that's considered alot).

So you shouldn't ask, "what should I study," but rather "what can I study."

[socho]

Originally posted by TimothyKleinert
... you shouldn't ask, "what should I study," but rather "what can I study."

Exactly. Great point, should be on the FAQ thread. (Do we have one of those?)

Dave

[ulvulv]

Originally posted by DCPan
But if the paint is already dry, why am I suffering from breathing the fumes? :D

Try washing your kneepads:laugh:

[Caio]

Greetings,

Originally posted by TimothyKleinert

Most areas offer a kendo dojo, which in turn usually offers some sort of iaido (even if it's just the kendo-kata).

I'm not sure if I got this straight, are you saying that Kendo Kata is a form of Iaido?! Or that Iaido comprises study in Kendo Kata?!
Just want to know what you mean, it sounds strange to me...

Your's,

[Yoarashi Kode]

I kind of knew you could never master the japanese katana, but i think some of the sword arts are very interesting, even Iaijutsu. I have dedication and high patience, and i don't mind doing repetitive training~ that's basically what i'm doing now.

But also it doesn't bug me at all that a person will never master the Japanese sword...a life time of training~ willing to commit the rest of my life to that~

I'm a very patient person, it's just that i joke around too much~ but when it's needed i'm serious.

[TimothyKleinert]

Originally posted by Caio
I'm not sure if I got this straight, are you saying that Kendo Kata is a form of Iaido?! Or that Iaido comprises study in Kendo Kata?!
Sorry, I just wasn't paying attention to what I was typing. I should have said something like..

"Most areas offer a kendo dojo, which in turn usually offers some other sort of swordwork (even if it's just seitei gata iai or the kendo-kata).

[Yoarashi Kode]

I have another question~ does anyone know how to strengthen the wrist?

[ulvulv]

The fact that it may take a lifetime of practise to reach a thorough understanding, doesnt mean that the goal of practise lies a lifetime ahead. Every practise is its own goal and its own reward, people practise to practise, because is it rewarding in itself. Being a beginner may be the most rewarding phase of a "long term relationship", you learn soo much in a short time, it is the polishing and perfection of what you already "know" that takes time.

[Caio]

Greetings,
Originally posted by TimothyKleinert
Sorry, I just wasn't paying attention to what I was typing. I should have said something like..

"Most areas offer a kendo dojo, which in turn usually offers some other sort of swordwork (even if it's just seitei gata iai or the kendo-kata).
Ha, ok, all settled then.
Althought I wouldn't really call Kendo Kata as other way to do swordwork... it's done with bokuto instead of shinai, true, but it's Kendo nevertheless, not diferent from the rest of the keiko (at least it shouldn't be considered as such...). I would find weird if a Kendo dojo did NOT offer Kendo Kata keiko...
Just an impression though, I realise that this is not the point here...

Your's,

[Yoarashi Kode]

I know a lot~ but i don't know exactly how to explain them~

[Chrono]

Originally posted by TimothyKleinert
Besides the whole, "iaido is JSA"-thing already mentioned, many newcomers expect that they are going to get a choice in what they study. I'm sorry to say that most of us have to take whatever we can get.


This is so true. I couldn't agree more. After I graduate I plan on moving to Atlanta, Georgia and all I've seen, so far, that they have is a Shinkendo dojo. That's going to be one of the first places I visit.

Jon

[gendzwil]

I think the poor OP may be a little confused about kendo. The majority of kendo practice is done with shinai (bamboo swords), but we do dabble in something closer to reality.

The kendo kata are paired forms performed with bokken. There are 10 forms, 7 where both sides have a long form and 3 with long against short. They are essentially a short course in kenjutsu. They were pieced together by committee from a number of koryu (old sword traditions). I'm told that they are a not unreasonable cross-section of koryu techniques, but of course there isn't a lot there compared to what you would learn if you could join an actual koryu. They are required at gradings, but not every dojo practices them regularily.

There is also a standard set of iaido kata, cobbled together by committee in much the same way, called Zen Ken Ren Iai, formerly known (and still often referred) as Seitei Iai. These are 12 solo forms normally performed with a dull practice sword (iaito), starting and ending with the sword sheathed. They are not required practice for kendoka although many of us have had at least brief exposure to them. If you practice iaido as a member of the International Kendo Federation, then you must know Zen Ken Ren Iai as well as kata from your own ryu. The other common federation iaidoka belong to is the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei, which has a similar set of standard kata.

So to reiterate regarding kendo: paired practice with shinai - routinely. Paired practice with bokken - sometimes. Solo practice with iaito - not part of kendo.

[Jonathan Tow]

Originally posted by Yoarashi Kode
I have another question~ does anyone know how to strengthen the wrist?

Suburi, followed by more suburi.


Best,

Jonathan

[Yoarashi Kode]

I have never taken a kendo, iaijutsu, or kenjutsu class, and i was about to ask what the hell "suburi" were...but then i remembered duh, you have a japanese dictionary~ looked it up

Suburi = thrusting a (wooden) sword downward from a starting position above one's head

I've only seen that in old samurai movies, and in some anime...looks promising~

Thanx for some of the information~ really appreciated

[gendzwil]

Suburi is just practice cuts in the air. You can do them with bamboo swords (shinai), wooden swords (bokken or bokuto) or dull practice swords (iaito or mogito). There are some specialized training swords made of bamboo or wood called suburito which are essentially just really heavy versions of shinai or bokuto, intended for building strength.

[Yoarashi Kode]

Well thanx for the info, but i already know the names of the swords, but thanx anyway~

What i have right now is a bokken, and an Iaito, is on the way~

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Yoarashi Kode
I have another question~ does anyone know how to strengthen the wrist?
For some more tips, click here: Wrist Work (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12663)

and: More Wrist Work (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21651)