If you look him up he's a 6th dan in Iaido with the Kaze No Kai Iaido organization. I can't judge for myself but I think that what you're seeing are stylistic differences between different Iaido traditions. I.e., deliberate differences which he was taught by his own teacher who apparently came from a different branch of Iaido than your own. It's interesting how many martial arts discussions involve debates about different styles, actually...
Yes, I practice iaido only. Are you hinting that I should measure Claude's iaido merit based on the fact that aikido is closely related to the sword and there are legitimate sword-based exercises in aikido?
I don't think so. He's attempting to teach ZNKR iaido in this video, not aikido sword/aikiken, and it appears he has little clue about its fundamentals.
@Proton1 Who knows whos right whos not, what im saying is thats very interesting that is a frecuent issue even at higher levels, there is an interview in aikidojournal where Stanley Pranin ask Nobuyoshi Tamura sensei why Osenseis sword was criticized by other budo masters
Berthiaume is 'teaching' the iaido of a federation in which he or his dojo is not a member, and of which he has not discernible qualifications.
The iaido he is teaching is taught in AJKF-licensed dojos and adheres to a set of very strict, written basics -- strict in the sense that if the AJKF iaido manual says "put your hand here when you do this" and someone puts their hand somewhere else, they are wrong. During yoko chiburi, Berithaume teaches his students to place the..
..open palm on the abdomen instead of the hakama where the saya passes through the obi. This rule is in the seitei iaido manual, so Berithaume is therefore teaching you incorrectly. That's one example.
In the AJKF, these are things that people pass or fail over in their examinations. This is in no way meaningless scoffing over interpretation. With the standardized set Berthiaume is teaching you, either you are correct in your execution or you are incorrect; that's how strict the rules..
..are and there is little to no room for variation. There is a reason for this, and those reasons are educated ones created by the seniormost teachers in the various koryu that created the 12-kata AJKF set.
I have been a member of a licensed AJKF iaido dojo for well over a decade and quite capably understand those basics. Berthiaume's basics are lacking to the point where he would not survive a kendo federation panel past shodan (a mere one year of experience). These are not only his..
..circumstances, but his students' by extension as well. I've seen the iaido of at least one of Berthiaume's students on Youtube, and as expected, all the errors in basics I've seen Berthiaume perform, this person does as well.
Iaido is serious business. One can't simply play fast and loose with the rules. There's a reason this art is best learned directly transmitted (i.e., from teacher to student) and there's no indication Berthiaume has even accepted a basic level of transmission..
These are things that you as a student of his should be investigating because quite frankly there are a lot of opportunistic frauds out there. Of course I don't speak of his aikido because I'm not in a position to judge him on that. He may be a great teacher, but the caliber of his iaido speaks clearly to me as a longtime iaido practitioner who studies the set he's teaching you.
@Proton1 Your dedication, and passion for Iaido are obvious and commendable. I have no doubts that your instructors merit the esteem you demonstrate for them. However, your critique of Berthiaume Sensei reveals a startling flaw in your development as a martial artist. ...
@Proton1 This flaw lies in your willingness to pronounce judgment and insult in your comments. At the heart of Japanese martial arts is the development of respect and character. Your criticism of this video suggests that this is an unexplored aspect of your training.
@Proton1 Regardless of your opinion of Berthiaume Sensei's Iaido (an opinion garnered it seems through anecdotal exposure and minutes of youtube time, rather than extensive training under his tutelege), a brief online search reveals that Berthiaume Sensei is a martial artist at the highest level, with international reputation and acclaim.
@Proton1 Your use of the familiar in referring to Berthiaume Sensei by his first and last names, individually, without the term "Sensei" may be passable in some forums. I know very few serious students so willing to drop this official title. Your various critiques of details, and the audacious insinuation of "opportunistic fraud" are shocking.
@Proton1 Another instructor, with 30 years of Iaido experience, unaffiliated with Berthiaume Sensei, declared him "one of the finest Iaido instructors in North America". Most egregiously though, are your comments on 'transmission'. At this point you not only insult Berthiaume Sensei, but disparage the memory of the late Kanai Sensei, Mitsuzuka Sensei (who has attended Berthiaume Sensei's dojo as a guest instructor), Hakudo Sensei, and Haga Sensei.
@Proton1 The question of whether you practice Aikido or not has relevance, though not in the way that you assume. A fundamental tenet of Aikido is the practice of respect and non-judgment. Your opinions are informed by your training and experience, and may have merit in a discussion of the details of various Iaido schools.
@Proton1 However, your harsh words of insult and criticism demonstrate that your practice may be guided by pride and ego. A true Aikidoka would not have written what you did. Similarly, nor would one who has been studying the art of Iaido under Berthiaume Sensei and the lineage that he belongs to.
If you look him up he's a 6th dan in Iaido with the Kaze No Kai Iaido organization. I can't judge for myself but I think that what you're seeing are stylistic differences between different Iaido traditions. I.e., deliberate differences which he was taught by his own teacher who apparently came from a different branch of Iaido than your own. It's interesting how many martial arts discussions involve debates about different styles, actually...
junbh2 1 year ago
@Proton1
Yes, I practice iaido only. Are you hinting that I should measure Claude's iaido merit based on the fact that aikido is closely related to the sword and there are legitimate sword-based exercises in aikido?
I don't think so. He's attempting to teach ZNKR iaido in this video, not aikido sword/aikiken, and it appears he has little clue about its fundamentals.
Proton1 1 year ago
@Proton1 Who knows whos right whos not, what im saying is thats very interesting that is a frecuent issue even at higher levels, there is an interview in aikidojournal where Stanley Pranin ask Nobuyoshi Tamura sensei why Osenseis sword was criticized by other budo masters
josantmelendez 1 year ago
@josantmelendez In fact it is so hard to western people learning iaido directly that aikido is instead a kind of shorcut for the right thing
josantmelendez 1 year ago
Here's the deal.
Berthiaume is 'teaching' the iaido of a federation in which he or his dojo is not a member, and of which he has not discernible qualifications.
The iaido he is teaching is taught in AJKF-licensed dojos and adheres to a set of very strict, written basics -- strict in the sense that if the AJKF iaido manual says "put your hand here when you do this" and someone puts their hand somewhere else, they are wrong. During yoko chiburi, Berithaume teaches his students to place the..
Proton1 1 year ago
..open palm on the abdomen instead of the hakama where the saya passes through the obi. This rule is in the seitei iaido manual, so Berithaume is therefore teaching you incorrectly. That's one example.
In the AJKF, these are things that people pass or fail over in their examinations. This is in no way meaningless scoffing over interpretation. With the standardized set Berthiaume is teaching you, either you are correct in your execution or you are incorrect; that's how strict the rules..
Proton1 1 year ago
..are and there is little to no room for variation. There is a reason for this, and those reasons are educated ones created by the seniormost teachers in the various koryu that created the 12-kata AJKF set.
I have been a member of a licensed AJKF iaido dojo for well over a decade and quite capably understand those basics. Berthiaume's basics are lacking to the point where he would not survive a kendo federation panel past shodan (a mere one year of experience). These are not only his..
Proton1 1 year ago
..circumstances, but his students' by extension as well. I've seen the iaido of at least one of Berthiaume's students on Youtube, and as expected, all the errors in basics I've seen Berthiaume perform, this person does as well.
Iaido is serious business. One can't simply play fast and loose with the rules. There's a reason this art is best learned directly transmitted (i.e., from teacher to student) and there's no indication Berthiaume has even accepted a basic level of transmission..
Proton1 1 year ago
These are things that you as a student of his should be investigating because quite frankly there are a lot of opportunistic frauds out there. Of course I don't speak of his aikido because I'm not in a position to judge him on that. He may be a great teacher, but the caliber of his iaido speaks clearly to me as a longtime iaido practitioner who studies the set he's teaching you.
Proton1 1 year ago
@Proton1 Your dedication, and passion for Iaido are obvious and commendable. I have no doubts that your instructors merit the esteem you demonstrate for them. However, your critique of Berthiaume Sensei reveals a startling flaw in your development as a martial artist. ...
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 This flaw lies in your willingness to pronounce judgment and insult in your comments. At the heart of Japanese martial arts is the development of respect and character. Your criticism of this video suggests that this is an unexplored aspect of your training.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 Regardless of your opinion of Berthiaume Sensei's Iaido (an opinion garnered it seems through anecdotal exposure and minutes of youtube time, rather than extensive training under his tutelege), a brief online search reveals that Berthiaume Sensei is a martial artist at the highest level, with international reputation and acclaim.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 Your use of the familiar in referring to Berthiaume Sensei by his first and last names, individually, without the term "Sensei" may be passable in some forums. I know very few serious students so willing to drop this official title. Your various critiques of details, and the audacious insinuation of "opportunistic fraud" are shocking.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 Another instructor, with 30 years of Iaido experience, unaffiliated with Berthiaume Sensei, declared him "one of the finest Iaido instructors in North America". Most egregiously though, are your comments on 'transmission'. At this point you not only insult Berthiaume Sensei, but disparage the memory of the late Kanai Sensei, Mitsuzuka Sensei (who has attended Berthiaume Sensei's dojo as a guest instructor), Hakudo Sensei, and Haga Sensei.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 The question of whether you practice Aikido or not has relevance, though not in the way that you assume. A fundamental tenet of Aikido is the practice of respect and non-judgment. Your opinions are informed by your training and experience, and may have merit in a discussion of the details of various Iaido schools.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 However, your harsh words of insult and criticism demonstrate that your practice may be guided by pride and ego. A true Aikidoka would not have written what you did. Similarly, nor would one who has been studying the art of Iaido under Berthiaume Sensei and the lineage that he belongs to.
mekugipin 4 months ago
@Proton1 The following comments are directed towards @Proton1, and should be read from the bottom up, owing to my reverse posting. -mekugipin
mekugipin 4 months ago
nice vid. i never knew aikido incorporates kenjutsu though.
wasabiwild 1 year ago
@wasabiwild
It isn't kenjutsu, but iaido, and terribly executed iaido too.
Proton1 1 year ago
@Proton1 Do you practice aikido ? because thats usually the opinion of the people who do iaido but not aikido.
josantmelendez 1 year ago