Iaido (Iai Batto-Ho)

We offer comprehensive training in Iaido training , through Muso Shinden Ryu and Shindo Munen Ryu Iaido systems. Please see our group website for more on the styles, history and techniques.

A Katana or Iaito is best for Iaido training, although a Bokken may be used.

History

Iaido (The Way of Sword Drawing) traces its origins to the late 16th century in Japan. It was developed by Hayashizaki Shigenobu. Though an established fact that some Iai-jutsu was practiced within other schools prior to Hayashizaki’s birth, he is credited with the creation of the system of Iai which we know today as Muso Shinden Ryu., which was actually developed based on a vision that Hayashizaki received in a dream, and which he referred to as Batto-Ho. The traditions and forms of Muso Shinden Ryu were transmitted through successive generations of swordsmen, amoung them Nakayama Hakudo Sensei, commonly recognized as one of the two foremost martial artists of the Meiji Era (O’Sensei being the other). One of Nakayama Sensei’s foremost students, Mitsuzuka Takeshi Sensei, established himself in Tokyo and continued the teachings of the Muso Shinden Ryu as transmitted to him by Nakayama Sensei.

Iai and Birankai

During his time as an Uchi-deshi, Chiba Sensei was directed to study Iaido by O’Sensei, who had several encounters with Iai masters and recognized their ability as martial artists. After returning to Japan from the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, Chiba Sensei continued his studies with Mitsuzuka Sensei, whom he recognized as one of the foremost Iai practicitioners in Japan.

The result of Chiba Sensei’s research is what we today practice as Iai Batto-ho (Sword-drawing method), which reflects his desire to combine the three major disciplines (aikido, Batto-Ho and Zen) in order to establish the martial root and culture within our practice. Swordsmanship played a significant role in the development of the warrior culture in Japan, and can play the same role in the development of future generations of Aikidoists.

The techniques of Iai Batto-Ho are derived from two major schools within Japan. From Muso Shinden Ryu we utilize the 12 techniques of Shoden (Omori Ryu) and the 10 techniques of Chuden. From Shindo Munen Ryu we incorporate the 12 forms and use them as our Tachi Iai (Standing forms). The forms are listed below:

IAIDO Techniques

SHODEN Suwari Waza (sitting in seiza) 1. SHOHATTO 2. SATO 3. UTO 4. ATARITO or TOTO 5. INYO SHINTAI 6. RYUTO 7. JUNTO 8. GYAKUTO 9. SEICHUTO 10. KORANTO (Tachi Waza) 11. GYAKUTE INYO SHINTAI 12. BATTO

OKUDEN I Waza (sitting on one leg) 1. KASUMI 2. HIZAGAKOI 3. SHIHOGIRI 4. TOZUME 5. TOWAKI 6. TANASHITA 7. RYOZUME 8. TORABASHIRI

Tachi Waza (standing) 9. YUKIZURE 10. TSUREDACHI 11. SOMAKURI 12. SODOME 13. SHINOBU 14. YUKICHIGAI 15. SODESUREGAESHI 16. KABEZOE 17. MONIRI 18. UKENAGAESHI 19. ITOMAGOI

CHUDEN I Waza (sitting on one leg) 1. YOKOGUMO 2. TORAISSOKU 3. INAZUMA 4. UKIGUMO 5. YAMAOROSHI 6. IWANAMI 7. ROKOGAESHI 8. YAMEGAESHI 9. TAKIOTOSHI 10. BATTO

SHINDO-MUNEN-RYU Tachi Waza (standing) 1. IWANAMI 2. UKEFUNEGAESHI 3. NO-ARASHI-GAESHI 4. UTSUSEMI 5. MATSUKAZE 6. ZANGETSU-HIDARI 7. ZANGETSU-MIGI 8. DOTO-GAESHI 9. REITO-GAESHI 10. YOTO 11. INTO 12. INAZUMA-GAESHI

IAI-DO SALUTATIONS Start of Class: Shomen-Ni-Rei, Sensei-Ni-Rei, To-Ni-Rei
End of Class: Datto, Mokuso - 10 natural breaths, Mokuso-Yame, To-Ni-Rei, Shomen-Ni-Rei, Sensei-Ni-Rei