Originally posted by ben johanson
WOW!
I have read many posts on this forum condeming iai as a "non-battlefield art" and have even read something in Koryu Bujutsu by Diane Skoss that said that the ability to draw the sword and cut in one super fast motion would not have been a necessary skill in battle, as weapons would have already been drawn at the start of an engagement. But, in the case of the sword as a back-up weapon, it seems to me that battojutsu would have been a very usefull, perhaps even crucial, skill to possess on the battlefield. What does everybody think?
Perhaps it might be useful, but not necessary. Just like you don't have to be a quick draw artist to unholster a pistol, you don't have to be an Iai expert in order to take a sword out of the saya. Considering the construction of the sword and the saya, I would think it likely that everyone who used and carried these swords practiced drawing them in some fashion. We've all read the horror stories of the split scabbards and missing thumbs. I would think that would be intensely more embarrassing in front of a bunch of fellow Samurai than it would be for anyone today. Proficiency in Iai is just one of the things that separated the exceptional swordsman from the more common sort.
The whole concept of battlefield/non-battlefield art is misleading in any case. It's a battlefield art if you happen to be in a battle when you do it. Other than that, it isn't. I believe we can all agree that people who studied Iai did participate in combat. I think a more appropriate question would be along the lines of: Does Iai provide training in valuable skills that are appropriate for the ruling warrior class? Since a great number of these busy men paid enough attention to it to keep it alive should be sufficient evidence that it is a worthwhile pursuit for a warrior.
I heard something a few weeks ago in class, just sort of a line that dropped into the conversation while we were discussing one of the earlier threads that went this route. The statement was to the effect that the people the other Samurai were afraid of, the real bad asses, were Iai guys. A couple provinces and I think schools were named, but I don't really remember details. Maybe Dr. Friday or one of the people who participated in that conversation could share a little more about that.
Dan Beaird
The best time to be a hero is when all the other chaps are dead, God rest 'em, and you can take the credit.
H. Flashman V.C., K.C.B., K.C.I.E.