The Japanese martial arts that employ the sword take many forms. Some emphasize formal techniques, some emphasize sparring. All have valuable aspects that help practitioners develop strength, coordination, mental acuity, and a strong character. Included among the sword arts are iaido, iaijutsu, kendo, kenjutsu, battojutsu, and battodo.
Iaido is a word composed of three parts: ee, meaning "to exist"; ai, meaning "harmony" or "unification"; and do, meaning "path" or "way." It refers to the most widely practiced formal sword styles, usually made up primarily of solo forms, or "waza." Each form is a prearranged sequence of motions designed to simulate defense against an attack by a swordsperson. The major motions in iaido are the draw, cut, whipping the blood off the blade, and resheathing, but the hallmark of legitimate iaido is the fast, effective draw that not only gets the sword out of the scabbard, but also cuts the attacker. The two most widely practiced iaido styles are Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Muso Shinden Ryu.
Iaijutsu refers to an older form of iaido that focuses more on the military or fighting aspect of swordplay. Like iaido, iaijutsu is taught primarily through the practice of forms, but in general the movements are closer to the historical movements of older sword styles, and not as close to the modern iaido standard motions. There are many styles of iaijutsu, including Hoki-Ryu, Tamiya-Ryu, and Mugai-Ryu. Generally, iaido and iaijutsu refer to arts that focus more on the instant of drawing than on wielding the sword after the draw.
Kendo refers to the relatively modern Japanese sport in which participants try to score points by striking one another with shinai (bamboo practice swords). The players wear padded armor, and can score with an unopposed strike to the other's head, wrist, abdomen, or throat. Kendo is very physical, but also contains deep philosophical roots.
Kenjutsu refers to many older sword styles. Many are niche arts practiced by a few teachers and students, closely guarded for centuries. Usually they consists of many different aspects, including formal techniques, practical techniques, and conditioning drills. Some include empty hand techniques or other weaponry. Shingyoto Ryu and Suio Ryu are two styles of kenjutsu, but there are many others. Unlike iaido and iaijutsu, kenjutsu usually focuses more on swordplay after the sword has been drawn.
Battojutsu and Battodo refer to arts that are very similar to iaijutsu and iaido. The word "batto" means "sword drawing" but, as a practical matter, most batto systems are more focused on swordplay after the sword is drawn than are most iai systems. Yagyu-Seigo Ryu and Kataichi Ryu are two forms of Battojutsu.
The Japanese Martial Arts Center offers classes in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, which is probably the most widely practiced form of iaido worldwide. We also offer a kendo workshop in which our iaido students can learn fundamental kendo techniques, which helps build their understanding of distancing, timing, rhythm, and angles, to deepen their iaido practice.
5 comments:
The martial arts that employ the sword are very interesting arts in that they require you to think very deeply about every move (motion) you make. In that sense, they are very mentally challenging.
Also, there are martial arts that don't employ the sword, but that are related to sword arts in many of their techniques, such as jujutsu. Sato Sensei explains that when performing certain techniques, you have to imagine yourself either with a sword in your hand or taking away a sword from someone else's hand. It seemed amazing to me that performing a wrist lock on someone could apply whether they were holding a sword or not. Also, it helped me to understand the dynamics of jujutsu better since I already train in Iaido (which mentally, comes a little easier to me than jujutsu).
And even now, I'm finding a little of that even crosses over into my karate training. I'm learning a new kata where I'm doing a move that's as if I'm making a downward diagonal cut while simultaneously striking with my elbow.
It's this depth of comprehension that makes training so rewarding.
Having come from a background in European sword styles I am finding Iaido to be far more of a mental challenge then any of the European forms I studied. With Iaido, there is far more focus required while completing a form then in any European style. The focus in the European style is more of, how do I kill the other guy w/o getting killed myself? Within Iaido, so far from what I have seen, the focus seems to be more on completing the from correctly rather then concern for being killed by the other guy. This could also just a difference in the training styles too as I am sure if Sensei or any one else in class were teach by attack my focus would shift back to oh god how do I stay a live?
Either way, I noticed a few differences in the forms, mostly relating to foot work.
For example, the stance in Iaido is slightly narrower then the European forms where you are typically standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Another good example is when you are in a ‘long stance’ for Iaido your back foot is not completely touching the ground and your ankle is turned away from your body slightly, oh and your knee is supposed to be locked. The closest thing to this in European forms is a fencing lunge; however, with a fencing lunge your ankle is turned towards your body and your foot is completely on the ground, also, you don’t lock your back knee. Another difference that I have noticed so far is that in European forms there is a step that I am sure some of you have done in a PE class called “grape vine” where you move to the side by crossing your legs so that the lead leg is alternating in a left-right or right-left fashion.
In terms of the forms, I have not seen a European equivalent to the sitting forms and I don’t think one exists. The cuts, thrusts, and ready positions are all basically the same between the two styles. The only difference I have seen in them from observation and study is this, a cut to the back of the head with the ‘back’ edge of the sword which only exists in European forms. I personally do not find that maneuver to be extremely practical, but someone must have otherwise I am sure it wouldn’t exist.
But I must say that overall I find the study of Iaido to be rewarding in ways that studying the European equivalents are not.
At JMAC, Kendo is cool.
Over the years I moved around a lot and therefore started at a new martial arts schools a lot. I never joined specifically to learn Kendo, however on two separate occasions I studied at schools that offered a Kendo class once a week. In the first one you had to be a black belt to participate (I wasn't). In the second one, anyone could participate.
Believing that some form of weapons training is beneficial to overall development I decided to give Kendo a try. The class was taught by a very accomplished Korean man, probably late 20's, who was in the states on a visa and teaching as a guest in the school.
The class was all beginners. We each bought a shinai, but dressed in either our karate gi or athletic apparel. I think that our instructor was undoubtedly a very skilled practitioner, but perhaps not an experienced teacher. We drilled on fundamentals of grip, stance and basic strikes, I'm guessing the same way he was taught in grade school. He was very exacting, and unfortunately many people lost interest as we spent many classes doing the same basic drills, over and over. Only once did we even see the traditional bogu equipment, when another experienced instructor stopped by one day. The two of them started sparring. It was very exciting to watch, but only reinforced how tedious our training had become. Eventually our teacher had to move on and my shinai went in my crowded closet full of experienced martial arts gear.
Now here at JMAC it is a totally different story. The class is open to any student. You do, however, need to invest in the appropriate uniform and equipment. This is, after all, still a traditional school. While adding expense, getting the formal gear in my opinion only adds to the fun. And while traditional, this particular class is informal.
Everyone there is studying at least one other art as a primary focus. Even our sensei openly acknowledges that he is not an expert. But he is skilled enough to offer instruction while joining in the fun himself.
And the best part is that on your first day you put on all the attire and can go from basics all the way to sparring. Safety is always in mind, and you monitor your own comfort level. But if you want you can jump right in and start testing your metal (or bamboo as it were). Just be prepared to get a tremedous aerobic work out, and to have fun.
It would be fascinating to be able to watch each sword style performed so you could see the differences between them.
Great post thanks for sharing such informative post.
Post a Comment