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- IAIDO - & - BOKKEN JUTSU - |
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Iaido is a non-combative martial art that involves no direct physical contact or combat with other individuals. Practitioners perform set patterns of movement called "kata" that represent confrontational situations. Almost all patterns are performed alone. There are some two-person kata, but these are choreographed, with one person defending against a pre-defined series of attacks.Solo kata involve drawing the sword, making one or more cuts, cleaning the blade, and returning the sword to the scabbard with concentration and focus. |
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Iaido is perhaps the most philosophically oriented of all Japanese martial arts, and it is also one of the least understood. One reason for this may be that the practical aspects of the art overshadow its true essence: perfection of character through commitment to martial practice. Iaido is much more than learning how to use a sword. It is, first and foremost, about non-combative physical and mental discipline. The true essence of Iaido is in its emphasis on fostering peace within an individual by learning to use the sword as a tool for self-realization. The following quote from the "Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai" handbook comments on the significance of the true practice of Iaido:
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Yet greater than technique is spiritual training. Iai does not necessarily mean to cut an enemy but rather to cut the enemy within yourself. Victory in Iai is the non-revengeful heart and the cessation of conflict through not drawing the sword. Thus, you may understand why the Iai of old was called "saya no uchi", invincibility without drawing the sword.
In other words, Iai is a training process towards human perfection, never of murderous intent, but peaceful-minded. The modern significance of Iai is peace and tranquillity for human life. In the larger sense, Iai means the Way of Dwelling in Harmony through endless practice seeking harmony with the Universe. |
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At Shuto Karate Club we teach Iaido and Bokken Jutsu as adjuncts to our Ki Ju Jutsu classes and not as stand-alone martial arts courses. It is our belief that in order to understand the unarmed fighting methods of the samurai, one must have a familiarity with the primary fighting weapons of the samurai. Further, the understanding of these weapons aids in the development of ki. In Iaido we practice five basic kata that are related to Eishin Ryu Iaido.
Bokken Jutsu is the art of fighting with a wooden sword. It is not practicing with a wooden sword to perfect your technique with a real sword. In Bokken Jutsu the bokken is used as a weapon in and of itself. Though it handles like a samurai sword, it is not a cutting weapon. It is a bludgeoning weapon, and as such requires different application of technique. |
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Hatfield Dojo |
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Skippack Dojo |
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Karate Kid-Do |
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