Iaido

Iaido is a Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard and in the same instance cutting down an opponent. Removing the blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students of iaido (pronounced "ee-eye-doe”) may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, many of those who study iaido use a blunt edged sword (iaito). Some, usually more experienced iaido practitioners use a sharp edged sword (shinken).

Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms, or kata. Multiple person kata exists within some schools of iaido, when those iaidoka (practitioners of iaido) will usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does not include direct competition or sparring of any kind. Because of this non-competitive aspect, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen."

Iaido forms (kata) are performed solitarily against one or more imaginary opponents. Some iaido schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Most of the styles and schools do not practice tameshigiri, cutting techniques.

To this end there are four distinct stages to each Kata or form:
1.The unsheathing of the sword from the scabbard (nukitsuke)
2.The killing blow (kirioshi)
3.The cleaning of the blade (chiburi)
4.The sheathing of the sword back into the scabbard (noto)

The word iaido approximately translates into English as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction”. The primary emphasis is on the psychological state of being present and the secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible.

A central feature of Iai-do is drawing the sword from several traditional sitting postures, including seiza, and tate-hiza. Techniques from a standing posture (tachi-ai) are also studied. Additionally, with the emphasis upon defense during daily life, it was also generally assumed that combatants would be armed with a katana worn "edge-up" and thrust through a sash around the waist, and that combatants would be fighting unarmored. These assumptions result in a drastically different approach to combat than when combatants are armored and fighting on the battlefield.

The Australasian Aikikai offers iaido training at its Newcastle and Central Coast Dojo’s. Please click on the relevant dojo found in the “dojo finder” and view styles (Ryu) and times etc. etc.

(Ref Wikipedia)

Iai-do

The First Level (entry transmission)

This level is originally called Omori style, imported in the 18th century. It seems there is no relationship with the original Shigenobu style. The forms of this level start in Seiza pose except the 10th, which starts with a standing pose

It could be said that these forms were a mere formalization, or invention for beginners training

OMORI RYU --- is the most basic series of movements in the Muso Shinden Ryu curriculum. It is called Shoden -- the character “sho” means beginning and the character “den” signifies initiation. There are twelve movements in all and each corresponds to a different situation. Many people make the mistake of thinking that the number of forms they have memorised determines their progress, but the outer appearance of a thing does not often indicate the inner contents. More over one should try to see not twelve different techniques but rather penetrate through to where one can feel the oneness of them all.

Outwardly each movement appears differently, but in truth there is perfect unity in Omori Ryu. It is only through long and persevering work, particularly on Shohatto, that one will clearly understand this.

Shohat-To First (it is called Mae (forward) in Muso-Jikiden
Sa-To Left
U-To Right
Atari-To Ushiro (Back)
In-Yo-Shin-Tai (Yaegaki)
Ryu-To (Ukenagashi)
Jun-To (Kaishaku)
Gyaku-To (Tukekomi or Oikiri)
Seichu-To (Tukikage)
Koran-To (Oikaze)
In-Yo-Shin-Tai Kaete
Bat-To (Nukiuti)

Fundamental cutting techniques

No matter what the style, there are a limited number of ways to cut with the sword. The basic cuts are:

Kirioshi - downward straight cut
This is a vertical straight-down cut to the top of the skull. When practicing in the air, students follow through to the abdomen or knees. While it is unlikely that a samurai could cut through the skull and armour into the torso, the mental intent is to cut through the target.

Mayoko giri - side cut
This cuts the opponent horizontally and is practiced entering on one side and cutting through the other.

Kesa giri - downward diagonal cut
This vertical cut enters at a 45-degree angle at the right side of opponent's neck and travels through his torso, exiting above his left hip. It can also be executed from left to right.

Kiriagi - upward cut
The opposite of kesa giri, it travels upward, from the hip to the opposite side of the neck.

Tsuki - straight thrust
The straight thrust is usually delivered with both hands on the sword. It's a straight thrusting motion to the target, which can be the eyes, throat, belly or between the ribs.