Although kata training simulates a fight against an imagined opponent this does not have to be another person. Except for the obi a specific training outfit (keikogi and hakama) is only necessary for the first exam (3.

In Koeln’s Keizankai dojo kata can be trained with an iaito right from the start, from Dan ranks on shinken may be used. Tatami Matten (mats for Tameshigiri/testcutting).Shinken (real katana, except for Tameshigiri reserved for masters).Kodachi / Wakizashi Bokuto (short wooden sword).Iaitō (non-sharpened training sword mostly made from aluminium).Obi (to tie the jacket and to fasten the sword).Apart from that further equipment is required depending on the student’s rank and advance in training. The most important piece of equipment of an Iaidoka is the sword.

“Ai” is “matching” or “fitting”.įrom 1960 on many martial arts included “Do” in their names in order to emphasize the mental aspect of training rather than the mere technique. “Iru” (short “I”) means “to be present, mentally and physically”. Thereupon Iaijutsu was first developed from Battojutsu. This lead to the common opinion that the mental strength of a samurai was crucial. With appropriate execution the initial cut in a fight can have deadly results. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Mugai Ryu Iaido Kata () Another important Iaido person is Hasegawa Mondonosuke Eishin who was the first to carry his katana with the edge upside in the obi which later became typical with almost all styles of Iaido. From among the many sword schools existing at these times it was one of his pupils who was chosen as a teacher to the Tokugawa shogun. It was made known by the samurai Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1549-1621). The oldest name for Iaido is “Battojutsu” meaning “the art of drawing the sword”. Synonyms of Iaido are “Batto” and “Iainuki”. Iaido belongs to the Budo disciplines of the warrior caste of old Japan, the samurai. He keeps a fight under control, he affects distance, position and surroundings to his advantage. As a result the Iaido master does not get into a fight in the first place. Iai itself determines a fight, be it as a reaction to the circumstances or by avoiding all aggressive influences.

The true art of Iaido however, is the total awareness and consciousness of one’s being and of the given situation. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Mugai Ryu Iaido Kata – Niina Gyokudo Meishi Ha Soke at Tenshinkai Dojo Köln ()

Iaido stance names