RAI
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Thunder Bay Iaido and Jodo

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WHAT IS IAIDO?

The art of Iaido would appear to be a simple one. The student sits or stands quietly, draws out a blade and cuts through the air all in one stroke, then puts the sword away again. To the casual observer, there is not a lot to see. Iaido is an exacting art which demands a high level of focus and mental concentration. It is an art of precise motions with only centimetres of tolerance and split second timing. It is also an individual art that involves the student and the sword struggling to achieve perfection of form.

Beyond this physical aspect, Iaido is also a philosophically oriented Japanese budo art. The name "Iaido" itself is composed of three ideograms: "I", "AI" and "DO". "I" means to "reside" or "be" in a certain place; "AI" means "harmony"; and "DO" means "road" or "path". Hence, "Iaido" means the path to finding harmony in any situation in which one finds oneself – to be prepared for any eventuality.

Iaido is a very old traditional martial art. Etiquette, Japanese culture and history are all important aspects of Iaido taught at Rai Un Kai.

Below is a video clip showing Ohmi Goyo Sensei (7 dan Iaido) doing an Iaido kata

IAIDO FORMS

The following are the waza (forms or techniques) taught at Rai Un Kai

ZEN KEN REN IAI
TACHI UCHI NO KURAI (bokuto partner forms)
1. Mae Front
2. Ushiro Back
3. Uke Nagashi Block & deflect

4. Tsuka Ate Handle strike

5. Kesa Giri Diagonal cut

6. Morote Zuki 2 handed thrust

7. Sanpo Giri 3 directions cut

8. Gammen Ate Face strike

9. Soete Zuki Hands together thrust

10. Shiho Giri 4 directions cut

11. So Giri Many cuts

12. Nuki Uchi Draw/strike
1. De Ai Coming close
2. Tsuke Komi Follow together  
3. Uke Nagashi Block/deflect
 
4. Uke Komi Defend/bring close
5. Tsuki Kage Moon shadow
6. Suigetsu To Solar plexus sword
7. Zetsu Myo Ken
8. Doku Myo Ken

9. Shin Myo Ken

10. Uchi Komi Striking

MUSO JIKIDEN EISHIN RYU

SEIZA NO BU (OMORI RYU)
TATE HIZA NO BU (EISHIN RYU)
1. Mae Front
2. Migi Right

3. Hidari Left
4. Ushiro Back
5. Yae Gaki Many hedgerows

 
6. Uke Nagashi Block/deflect
7. Kaishaku Second for seppuku
8. Tsuke Komi Follow together
9. Tsuki Kage Moon shadow

10. Oi Kaze Chasing the wind

11. Nuki Uchi Draw/strike
1. Yoko Gumo Horizontal clouds
2. Tora No Issoku Tiger’s step

3. Ina Zuma Thunderbolt

4. Uki Gumo Floating clouds

5. (Yama) Oroshi Wind off mountain

6. Iwa Nami Rolling waves

7. Uroko Gaeshi Turning over fishscales

8. Nami Gaeshi Waves turning

9. Taki Otoshi Waterfall
10. Makko Direct strike

Haya Nuki All together quickly

 

OKU IAI – TATE HIZA NO BU
(MUSO JIKIDEN RYU)
OKU IAI – TACHI WAZA NO BU
(MUSO JIKIDEN RYU)
1. Kasumi Mist
2. Sune Gakoi Guarding shin

3. To Zume Door/closeby

4. To Waki Door/beside

5. Shiho Giri 4 directions cut
6. Tana Shita Veranda/underneath
7. Ryo Zume Both sides closeby

8. Tora Bashira Tiger’s run
1. Yuki Zure Walking together
 
2. Tsure Dachi Walking side by side
3. So Makuri Many cuts

4. So Dome Many steps/stops

5. Shin no Bu (Yo Dachi) Night Sword

6. Yuki Chigai Passing by
7. Sode Suri Gaeshi Sleeve touching strike
8. Mon Iri Gate entering

9. Kabe Zoe Wall, closeby

10. Uke Nagashi Block/deflect
OKU IAI – ITOMAGOI NO BU  ("gooodbye" - 1,2,2)

(MUSO JIKIDEN RYU)

BANGAI NO BU

1. Haya Nami Quick Wave
2. Raiden Thunder
3. Jinrai Thunderclap

ADDITIONAL IAI WAZA

Shiho Barai 4 sides sweeping (purification)

Yurumi Uchi Natural cut

 

OTHER RESOURCES:
The following websites are sources of information and equipment for Iaido:


http://www.sdksupplies.com (Canada)
http://www.ecmas.com (U.S)
http://www.bujindesign.com (U.S)
http://www.tozando.com (Japan)
http://www.swordstore.com (U.S)
http://www.jukado.com (Canada)
http://www.mugendobudogu.com/ (U.S.)
http://kendo-canada.com (Canada)
http://koryu.com (U.S.)
http://www.e-bogu.com/ (U.S.)
http://www.bogubag.com (U.S.)