IAIDO AT SEKISHINKAN TOKUGAWA DOJO

IAIDO AT SEKISHINKAN TOKUGAWA DOJO

Iaidō is a traditional form of Japanese Budo which is associated with the controlled, even movements of drawing the Japanese sword from its scabbard (saya), striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and ten returning the sword to the saya. Depending on the ryū (school), dojo, and/or instructor, a new student may begin to follow this Way with a wooden sword (bokken) or more commonly with an unsharpened sword or Iaitō, later progressing to a “live” or sharpened blade (shinken). Iaidō is an art requiring great personal discipline and perseverance and with its emphasis on its precise motions and contemplative or even meditative mindset, it is often referred to as “moving zen”.

The word Iaidō can be translated to something akin to “the way of mental presence and immediate reaction.” It should not be confused with Kendo, which does not include the drawing of a sword and utilizes a bamboo “sword” or shinai with no saya and which is basically a competitive sport. Iaidō is not competitive at all but rather, a matter of learning and perfecting one’s own movements and techniques.

Iaidō should also not be confused with Kenjutsu which involves parrying and striking an opponent with a sword that is already removed from its saya. Iaidō is also not to be confused with Battōjutsu, which encompasses both the practice of drawing a sword and cutting movements, but also tameshigiri or actual cutting.

There is an inherent emphasis in Iaidō upon the psychology or mindset of the practitioner with the actual drawing of the sword and performance of striking motions almost secondary

Although there are indeed a wide range of koryū or traditional/classical Iaidō styles practiced in Japan, the two most enduring and widely practiced styles are Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū and Musō Shinden-ryū They resemble each other quite strongly owing to their common heritage from the same parent, only separating in the late 18th century owing to philosophical differences.

The Sekishinkan Tokugawa offers a “continuing program” of training and practice in Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū (more often just referred to as Eishin-ryū), conducted personally by H. Tokugawa-sensei, M. Yamamoto-sensei, and closely assisted by H. Yamamoto-sensei. Our course is referred to as a “continuing” program because even though one has learned the etiquette and techniques of Eishin-ryū, progress beyond that point depends on each individual student’s individual devotion to the art and practice. As long as a student is with us at Sekishinkan Tokugawa Dojo, we will endeavor to give them all of the individual encouragement, guidance, and coaching we can so that they may achieve there individual goals.

For those who are perhaps interested in a shorter course of study or who are also interested in tameshigiri, for example, a similar course is offered by Sekishinkan Tokugawa Dojo as part of its more comprehensive Amatai no Shugo-ryū Bujutsu program as Battōjutsu or Iaijutusu

Sentei Iaidō

Sentei Iaidō or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaidō is the official style of the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF), Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR. The twelve Seitei Iaidō forms (seitei-gata) are now the standard for promotion within Iaidō as dictated by the controlling kendo federations. Although not al dojos teach Seitei Iaidō, the AJKF does use Seitei as their standard for examinations and thus it is the most widely recognized form of Iaidō in both Japan as well as the rest of the world. Because the twelve Seitei forms match so well with the teachings of Eishin-ryū, they are taught as part of the Sekishinkan program.

Tōhō Iaidō

The All Japan Iaidō Federation (ZNIR, Zen Nihon Iaidō Renmei) which was founded in 1948) has its own set of five Iaidō forms referred to as Tōhō Iaidō. These are the ZNIR’s equivalent to Seitei but are derived from other ryū not so closely related to Eishin-ryū and thus are not taught at Sekishinkan Dojo.

If interested, please feel free to contact Mr. Tokugawa or Ms. Yamamoto at admin@takayamabudokai.com or leave a message here or at one of our dojo blog sites:

http://360.yahoo.com/senshinkan_tokugawa_dojo)

http://takayamabudokai.blogspot.com/

http://newbushi.blogspot.com/

BREATHING AND BUDO III

BREATHING AND BUDO III

There is an exercise, derived from Zen which may be of use in developing good breathing practices. It is of particular benefit in Budo for the development of centralized energy, a foundation in the principles of ki, as well as simply a relaxed body, mind, and good health. That is the practice of deep abdominal breathing.

In this exercise there are two dimensions: a physio-functional dimension which relates to the way one controls the two phases of breathing: inhalation and exhalation. The second dimension is mental and emotional, directly relating to the mental images one uses as a method for developing a proper rhythm and style to breathing.

One method to develop proper breathing involves sitting in a zazen or seiza style on a mat or some sort of cushion so that the pressure on legs, ankles, and feet does not become too painful. In reality, adaptation to this way of sitting is a gradual process, requiring the increasing of time spent in this position by a few minutes each time you practice. Sitting cross-legged is totally acceptable but make sure to put a cushion underneath you in order to keep your posture straight and to make you more comfortable.

Once you are seated, comfortable and relaxed, you can begin the exercise. Inhalation should be long, as a thin stream of air is taken in through the nose at a steady, controlled rate. This should be done in a relaxed way with no straining. The feeling you should have is that the air is filling the central part of our body, not only the chest but also the lower abdomen, which should expand normally, again without stress, strain, or tension. The idea is to breath fully and naturally.

When you have inhaled all that you can with ease, being sure to keep your shoulders down during the inhalation, then rest quietly for a moment before beginning to exhale. Exhale through your mouth, again in a steady, concentrated yet relaxed stream, perhaps making a slight sound resembling “aah”. Remember, there should not be any straining and do not attempt to exhale in a sudden or forceful manner.

A way to coordinate both the mental-emotional dimension of this exercise with the physio-functional dimension; thus, striving to achieve a unity of mind and body, many Zen masters tech their pupils to visualize a stream of air being drawn in and out during the exercise or to imagine the ebb and flow of gentle waves against the shore of a lake or the sea, providing both a relaxing image as well as an excellent rhythm for the breathing pattern.

Unless proper breath control is mastered, progress in Budo will always tend to be limited. Once mastered, however, the techniques of breath control must be continually “toned” or maintained through regular practice.

Next time we will learn some very simple Tai Chi movements meant to teach deep breathing and at the same time relax your body and mind.

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Copyright 2008 by Hayato Tokugawa, Aoi Tokugawa, Sekishinkan Tokugawa Dojo & Takayama Budokai. All Rights Reserved.