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WHAT IS "IAIDO" (居合道)?

The Arts of Drawing and Cutting with a Sword

"Kendo students face each other in standing positions to determine victory or defeat wearing protective equipment (Bogu) and holding a bamboo sword (Shinai). Iaido (way of drawing and sheathing the sword) is the art of cutting, thrusting and defending with the real sword (Katana) using diversity of applications against imaginary opponents. From kneeling, sitting, standing or walking, and being attacked from all sides, the swordsman had to anticipate, defend and retaliate. Iai is concerned with attack and defence in terms of Ma-ai (distance), Hasuji (the path of the sword stroke) and Te-no-uchi (grasping the Tsuka or the hilt of the sword). In unity with the same is the spirit of entering into the opponent's attack with harmonious sword and body action, to defeat the enemy through his psychological weakness. This is true self-defence. Nakayama Hakudo, a very important Iaido master of the 20th century, regarded Kendo and Iaido as inseparable, comparing them to the wings of a bird. To master the art of the sword, he was convinced that if one of the two was missing perfection could not be obtained.


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 or 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 toward 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 by seeking harmony with the Universe." 


-Extracts from the European Kendo Federation (EKF) website

Virtual Iaido Training at Rivonia Kendo Club, Johannesburg, South Africa- 30 JUN 2020
04:50

Virtual Iaido Training at Rivonia Kendo Club, Johannesburg, South Africa- 30 JUN 2020

Iaido Kata 1-8 Embu performed by some of the RKC Iaido members. Music is The Last Samurai OST Suite #1 - Erhu Cover by Hans Zimmer. All credits belong to the respective producers. The RKC Iaido class has grown considerably in the last few months during lockdown thanks to the dedicated instruction by Christos PERDIKOULIS Sensei from the AKIMO DOJO in Mozambique! Iaido, the art of drawing and cutting with a sword, is a martial art that is done on ones own with either a wooden sword (bokken), or a blunted steel sword (iaito). Thankfully, the online sessions are perfectly suited for this type of practise. In this environment, and sensei's eagle-eye for detail and instruction, we look forward to growing our Iaido classes even further! Join us every Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6pm for online training via Zoom! RKC still trains at least 5x a week in Kendo, Iaido and Kendo Kids via their virtual dojo! Please follow us on our various social media platforms: Website: www.rivoniakendo.co.za Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RivoniaKendo Instagram: @rivonia_kendo_club YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9UWDOR8p9eCLsrw1nuSZA **************************************************************************** The Rivonia Kendo Club (RKC) trains Kendo and Iaido, Japanese sword-based martial arts that encourages the cultivation of the human character. All classes are suspended for now, but when we resume (soon), classes will be scheduled as such: Adult Kendo classes every Monday and Wednesday from 630pm to 830pm. Kendo Kids classes every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 530pm to 630pm. Iaido classes every Tuesday from 630pm to 730pm. #rivoniakendo #rivoniaiaido #kendo #kendoinafrica #kendogirls #kendokids #lovekendo #kendoislife #kendolife #sakf #focus #family #fun #southafrica #kōkenchiai #交剣知愛 #剣道 #Kumdo #侍 #SamuraIExperience #運動 #MartialArts #日本 #Japan #iaido #jodo
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