Whitstable Iaido

As I sit in my room (at the hotel at Kansai airport, waiting to fly home tomorrow) reflecting on my visit with Shimojo sensei over the past nine days, I confirmed to myself yet again, no matter how much I think I know, or how well I think my Iaido technique is coming along; there is always room for improvement.

This is the single greatest tresure when studying the Martial Arts, there is always scope for improvement, the journey never ends.

I foresee a great deal of work ahead to preapare for my next visit with sensei.

I also have to find a new pair of knees :-).

On the 17th December 2021 the dojo held shinza (grading exam).
As we are still in a difficult position of not being able to travel freely, we were not able to visit Shimojo sensei for grade before him.

Arrangements were made to video the tests taken by Dai and Gary. Shimojo sensei reviewed the the video footage and confirmed the my opinion both had met the requirements for the levels of Shodan and Sandan respectively.

Shimojo sensei hand wrote the shinza certificates confirming both are recognised at the aforementioned levels by the Dai Nippon Iaido Kyo Kai (DNIK).

It was my honour to confirm and both Gary and Dai were successful in their challenge for Shodan and Sandan respectively; and present them their certificates.

Congratulations to:
Dai for successfully challenging for Sandan (3rd Dan)
Gary for successfully challenging for Shodan (1st Dan)

This is how the old boys of the Tekisui Jyuku Dojo get through Christmas:

Hear no Christmas
Speak no Christmas
See no Christmas

If in the new year you are thinking of taking up something new, why not get in touch we would love to see you in the dojo.

Merry Christmas to you all

This morning we run an online meeting from our dojo to a few of our Zambian Budo brothers and sisters for a catchup and review of Toyama Ryu - Morinaga ha kiso iai kata.

Although online is nothing like in person training, it was fantastic to connected again.

Looking forward to many more opportunities to do so before we can meet up in person :-)

Does Iaido include partnered fighting?

The answer is YES.

However, unlike unarmed Martial Arts/Fighting Systems such as Karate, Gong Fu (Chun fa) and modern sporting arts such as kick boxing; the concert of free fighting doesn't really exist.

As with all weaponed based systems, there are partnered exercises (kata) designed to introduce the various concepts/tactics required to apply effective techniques.

These exercises are pre arranged from a safety perspective, but as one learns the concepts and gains a deep connection with the techniques within the exercises; then and only then does the training become more alive.

This is achieved with the use of changing timing and distance within the exercise. The initiator of any attack has the opportunity to change these at will to test the receiver of the attack's command of the situation.

This in reality is where most partner fighting exercises stop, as to move to a challenge situation of a dual, would require such skill of the opponents to prevent injury. Skill most students can never reach as our lives and training regime is not truly suited to reach these levels.

It is possible to use bamboo replica swords to enable more free interactions. There are schools of Iaido that use these, the format is still one of applying disabling/killing techniques of the sword with no rules. So even with bamboo it is more likely that injuries can occur.

Kendo utilises the Shinai (bamboo swords) for such purposes in a sporting setting, i.e. with prescribed rules for matches.

Kendo's heritage comes from Kenjutsu which although exclusively, generally focuses on techniques of the sword once it has been removed from the scabbard (Saya). While Iaido focuses it efforts from the initial drawing of the sword to final conclusion.

So yes Iaido has partner fighting drill, but, no it doesn't really have free fighting exercises.

Iaido has much to offer and is a worth while use of your time to study.

I though I would write a reminded to anyone who happen across this page.

Under the services, you will see some free introduction session offers. These are targeted to dojo/clubs studying other fighting arts who have an interest in learning more about the Japanese Sword in particular Iaido.

Iaido is a bit of a specialist art form, it may be overlooked by many as there appears to be no partner fighting as found in Kendo.

Iaido offers a student many personal challenges and shares the mindset of all Budo arts.

If you are interested in finding out more and offering your own students a taste of another art, then please get in touch I would be more than happy to assist.

If nothing else the building of friendship between dojo/clubs enriches everyone's experiences and training.

Kind regards
Phil Baldwin

I read this post this morning, I feel this is a great way of expressing why those of us who have studied the Martial Arts for so many years have done so and continue to do so.
I thought this worthy to share,

Phil Baldwin

Taken from a training journal from 2013…

How powerful Budo can be to young minds and bodies when no thoughts of certification or grade are focused on, and teaching students that the daily/sessional struggles and overcoming of those struggles are the things to be celebrated and feel proud of.

Can you imagine growing up with THAT as your benchmark of success. You would be an adult who knows that there are daily struggles, daily achievements and daily disappointments. You would live life by a code centred on personal development, not worrying so much about failing a 'test' but centred around improving your quality of life, your attitude, behaviour and personal definition of 'strength' on a daily and weekly basis.

Wow - what a centred, strong, confident and powerful human being you would grow up to be.

Well we have been back in the dojo practising Iaido for a few weeks now, I haven't taken any photos or video to post I will aim to change that this week.

If anyone is interested in learning the Japanese sword arts then please get in touch, it is a wonderful way to get into the Martial Arts.

If you teach another Martial Art and you would like to learn another we can offer to come to your dojo and teach some introduction sessions. All your students would require is a bokken (Bokuto) wooden sword, preferably with a plastic saya (scabbard) to practice the drawing technique.

We do not charge for these introduction sessions so nothing to lose and everything to gain.

All the best
Phil

Hi everyone,

We will be starting Iaido classes starting Wednesday 19th May.

during May the class will run from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, I am planning to bring back Kobu jutsu classes in June so Iaido will then move to 8:30pm start.

I look forward to seeing everyone Wednesday at 7:00pm

Take care
Phil