Out of curiosity, do instructors in the ZNIR teach about 'suki' or openings in iaido techniques? I mean, it's one thing that your koryu is stylistically different than that found in the ZNKR, but openings are openings and the gigantic pause at the top of your kirioroshi is pretty concerning. An opponent would have all day to counterattack before your cut came down. :)
@Proton1 I cannot vouch for all instructors, but mine, who practices both iaido and kendo, did. As for the opening that you mention (I am not 100% sure -- do you mean at the time of furikaburi?), this is all part of measuring maai 間合 and expressing zanshin. For example, the kirioroshi is often the second stroke, executed when the opponent is either backing away or falling. One has to be ready to adapt one's strike -- say, taking steps not included in the standard waza.
(Continued) MJER iaido, as practiced in Japan, is more about "correctness" than speed of execution. Of course, in combat I would have to shift gears, but I would still need to see where my opponent is falling... Or else I'll just cut empty air. Now, I'll admit that it looks a bit mechanistic in the video, and since then I practiced with the aim of improving the fluidity of my waza. Still, the overall speed (what you refer to as openings) is not something that needs change.
Thank you for response. I guess I'll be going for kendo. I've watched anime called Kenshin. And while Im very much aware that 50% of what they did is impossible, but the other 50% looked interesting :P I liked the style of fighting the main character used and was hopeing that there would be some place or way to learn what's possible. Guess Im just one more of those crazy anime fans that believe in impossible :-)
[continued from below] ...but are mostly practiced by very advanced iaidoka.
There are schools of kenjutsu and kobudo where practitioners use bokuto and actually hit targets on the opponent's body, but I haven't had the chance to see this myself.
All in all, you might want to start sparring through kendo. Besides, ultimately, iaidoka will want to train with live blades; I don't think one could (or want to?) find a dojo where one can spar with live blades in this day and age...
Nice vid. I'm hoping I'll be acepted a certen university in September, I've decided to train swordsmanship. Eastern Swordsmanship interest me tbh, Iaido & Kendo. I'm wondering if I could use Iaido to spar with a friend of mine from time to time. We were hopeing to start it 2gether. Is it possible or is this all there is to Iaido ? I know that there are competitions in Kendo that include sparing but not sure 'bout this.
Thank you for the comments. I will try to answer your questions this way:
Nowadays, the most widely practiced way of sparring with swords in Japanese martial arts is surely kendo. We use shinai (bamboo sticks) to do this. There are kendo "kata", where one practices forms with a partner, using bokuto (wooden swords). But this is not sparring, per say. As in iaido, there **are** "waza" (somewhat akin to the kendo "kata") which are practiced in pairs... [continued above]
About 7 years. I worked in a small town in Japan, where I practiced both kendo and iaido - almost every day!
... I miss those days. When you train all the time with the same people, There is a kind energy (not some mumbo-jumbo "ki" type of thing, mind you!) that just sustains you... I just love it!
Nice, the truth is I love katanas and I love iaido but I have to train only by sight of the internet, I have always loved martial arts and since I had no iaido school nearby I stuck to Kajukenbo, but I still love and practice iaido at home, ^_^ hope for you the best of luck and prosperity! TY for the reply =D
Well, I was not used to the floor, made of juxtaposed (what felt like) rubber mats. It was difficult to walk in "suriashi" style (feet barely touching the floor), because the mats would give under your weight and make you trip... Anyway.
I guess that, in the old days, samurai had to fight on more unstable terrain than this, so I'll just say it was a chance to try something else.
Do you think you'll try iaido in the near future? I really recommend it!
You're right, it's not a sport. But bluntly responding, in non-phrases, and making people feel that they're not worthy of more respectful comments is not going to entice them to learn more...
Out of curiosity, do instructors in the ZNIR teach about 'suki' or openings in iaido techniques? I mean, it's one thing that your koryu is stylistically different than that found in the ZNKR, but openings are openings and the gigantic pause at the top of your kirioroshi is pretty concerning. An opponent would have all day to counterattack before your cut came down. :)
Proton1 2 months ago
@Proton1 I cannot vouch for all instructors, but mine, who practices both iaido and kendo, did. As for the opening that you mention (I am not 100% sure -- do you mean at the time of furikaburi?), this is all part of measuring maai 間合 and expressing zanshin. For example, the kirioroshi is often the second stroke, executed when the opponent is either backing away or falling. One has to be ready to adapt one's strike -- say, taking steps not included in the standard waza.
KanchoFree 1 month ago
(Continued) MJER iaido, as practiced in Japan, is more about "correctness" than speed of execution. Of course, in combat I would have to shift gears, but I would still need to see where my opponent is falling... Or else I'll just cut empty air. Now, I'll admit that it looks a bit mechanistic in the video, and since then I practiced with the aim of improving the fluidity of my waza. Still, the overall speed (what you refer to as openings) is not something that needs change.
KanchoFree 1 month ago
Thank you for response. I guess I'll be going for kendo. I've watched anime called Kenshin. And while Im very much aware that 50% of what they did is impossible, but the other 50% looked interesting :P I liked the style of fighting the main character used and was hopeing that there would be some place or way to learn what's possible. Guess Im just one more of those crazy anime fans that believe in impossible :-)
Thx again and regards. -A
warlocksmight 2 years ago
And yes The followup question that I forgot to writte would be "Is anything else beside Kendo and Iaido ? "
warlocksmight 2 years ago
[continued from below] ...but are mostly practiced by very advanced iaidoka.
There are schools of kenjutsu and kobudo where practitioners use bokuto and actually hit targets on the opponent's body, but I haven't had the chance to see this myself.
All in all, you might want to start sparring through kendo. Besides, ultimately, iaidoka will want to train with live blades; I don't think one could (or want to?) find a dojo where one can spar with live blades in this day and age...
KanchoFree 2 years ago
Except 6.dans, because their graduation requires a shinken.
Pakkaslordi 2 years ago
Nice vid. I'm hoping I'll be acepted a certen university in September, I've decided to train swordsmanship. Eastern Swordsmanship interest me tbh, Iaido & Kendo. I'm wondering if I could use Iaido to spar with a friend of mine from time to time. We were hopeing to start it 2gether. Is it possible or is this all there is to Iaido ? I know that there are competitions in Kendo that include sparing but not sure 'bout this.
Hope you could understand what I ment :P
warlocksmight 2 years ago
Thank you for the comments. I will try to answer your questions this way:
Nowadays, the most widely practiced way of sparring with swords in Japanese martial arts is surely kendo. We use shinai (bamboo sticks) to do this. There are kendo "kata", where one practices forms with a partner, using bokuto (wooden swords). But this is not sparring, per say. As in iaido, there **are** "waza" (somewhat akin to the kendo "kata") which are practiced in pairs... [continued above]
KanchoFree 2 years ago
Chiburi was crisp. Good form.
triggersenjou 2 years ago
Thanks for the comments.
The man next to me (my rival?) won first place in 5 dan category at the last All-Japan tournament in October 2009.
I've known him for, what, 5-6 years? He has improved a lot since I first met him!
As for me... Hard to say.
Do you practice iaido?
KanchoFree 2 years ago
How long have you practiced iaido? =3 just out of curiosity?
Nlrvana99 2 years ago
About 7 years. I worked in a small town in Japan, where I practiced both kendo and iaido - almost every day!
... I miss those days. When you train all the time with the same people, There is a kind energy (not some mumbo-jumbo "ki" type of thing, mind you!) that just sustains you... I just love it!
KanchoFree 2 years ago
Nice, the truth is I love katanas and I love iaido but I have to train only by sight of the internet, I have always loved martial arts and since I had no iaido school nearby I stuck to Kajukenbo, but I still love and practice iaido at home, ^_^ hope for you the best of luck and prosperity! TY for the reply =D
Nlrvana99 2 years ago
Well, I was not used to the floor, made of juxtaposed (what felt like) rubber mats. It was difficult to walk in "suriashi" style (feet barely touching the floor), because the mats would give under your weight and make you trip... Anyway.
I guess that, in the old days, samurai had to fight on more unstable terrain than this, so I'll just say it was a chance to try something else.
Do you think you'll try iaido in the near future? I really recommend it!
KanchoFree 3 years ago
this is cool. i learned of this sport today. it's cool. keep your focus, you'll be great in the future. i bet you were nervous.
arabianqueen2 3 years ago
Not a sport.
Proton1 3 years ago
Comment removed
arthureblair 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Proton1 I guess WoW is? By the way buy a Harley and live longer... ).
arthureblair 2 years ago
You're right, it's not a sport. But bluntly responding, in non-phrases, and making people feel that they're not worthy of more respectful comments is not going to entice them to learn more...
KanchoFree 2 years ago