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Iaido at the SHINDOKAI Dojo
(Little picture gallery)
| Iaido is thw way of the sword, a martial art originating in kenjutsu.
It was developed as a defensive method of fighting designed to fend off surprise attacks and draw the sword faster then the opponent did.This art results from the fact that the sword was not worn unsheathed all the time, thus having to be drawn out of the sheath as quickly as possible in case of need. |
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The basic idea of Iaido is to srike down the opponent with one stroke after discovering him. To achieve this goal a system was developed guaranteeing the most effective reaction with the sword in the cases of various attacks and under different circumstances.
The practice of Iaido requires a calm mind, strong concentration, and the right spiritual attitude. It is the secret of Iaido to assess a situation, strike down the opponent, do all this in a clear mind and calm spirit and return to this attitude of mind. The sword reflects the calmness of the soul.
The History of Iaido
Japan has a long military history, which cannot be imagined without the sword and the development of martial arts. The development of the sword goes back more than 2,000 years, when the first swords came into use. One of the earliest blades was called "chukuto" or "upright straight sword", since the blade was not bent. Not earlier than about 700 A.D. did a smith named Amakuni find out that it was easier to draw a curved sword, and yet the remained long ones, called "taichi". It was the right weapon for people fighting from horseback, not, however, for foot soldiers. That is why the "katana", in use today, was later developed.The "katana", used in Iaido nowadays, may well be the most prestiguous forged weapon worldwide.
The samurai were very often involved in individual skismishes; that is why the systems of sword fighting were developed throughout the centuries. The first to develop a system of teaching and training in Iaido was Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto Shigenobu (1546-1621), the founder of Sigenobu ryu. This style developed into Muso Jikiden Eishin ryu and Muso Shinden ryu, which are practised today.
At the end of the last century, after the Meiji Restauration (1868), sword fighting lost its importance, since the public wearing of swords was no longer permitted and the warrior class abolished. And yet, the original arts of Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu or Batto jutsu were taught in individual schools. Sword fighting having lost its practical use, and the spiritual aspect of Zen gaining more and more relevance, the art was renamed as Iaido after World War II, during the time when the practice of martial arts was forbidden bay the americans. The term "jutsu" (technique) was replaced by "do" (way) to emphasize the present peaceful background to this unique martial art. Thus, today, Iaido is a way of human perfection and not a technique for military conflicts.
In our school we train the sytles of Muso Jikiden Eishin ryu Iaido. Olaf lotze-Leoni hold curently the rank of 4.Dan in Iaido and is high ranking other martial arts.
The Shindokai Dojo is a Member in IAIDO of the International Martial Arts Federation/ IMAF with Headquater in Tokyo.
