Sword Instruction
Iaido
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This course will teach you the "gendai" sword discipline Toyama-Ryu Iaido developed by Japanese military officers to quickly and efficiently instruct the "way of the samurai sword" and the techniques that encompass it. The Toyama-Ryu system contains eight core forms/kata derived from centuries of tradition, protocol and ritual.
The student begins with a wooden bokutou to practice posture, transitions and cutting patterns then advances through various stages of learning to a steel iaito. The usage of the steel blade will further enhance the finer points of sword drawing, cutting and sheathing techniques. Toyama-Ryu offers the student a well-rounded approach and education of the sword. Shihan Abbott also offers instruction in other sword systems listed below.
Reference: The Samurai Sword: Introduction and Application
Nakamura-ryu is an 8-kata series that closely follows the Japanese Military Toyama-Ryu series but puts emphasis on test cutting (tameshigiri). These forms, movements and cutting techniques employ the basic 8 patterns called Happo-giri, which imitate the strokes of a calligraphy brush.
This Nakamura-ryu kata series includes unsheathing the blade from different angles; executing upward and downward diagonal, vertical and horizontal cuts; chiburi/ cleaning the blade, and re-sheathing the sword using various patterns. The Nakamura kata creates a strong cutting foundation.
Kodachi-Iai employs a set of ten short sword or kodachi kata. These ten solitary short sword forms consist of many gendai (modern) and koryu (classical) movements. Short sword techniques follow the same lines and cutting patterns as most long swords. Kodachi Iai forms were designed to understand the complexity of being ambidextrous with a one-handed short sword.
These 10 forms encompass offensive and defensive scenarios. The first five short sword kata dwell on foundation skills while the second allows one to work on the finer points, various subtleties and protocol. Kodachi-Iai forms begin with drawing the sword; executing a cut or series of cuts; chiburi or cleaning the blade, and returning the blade to the scabbard.
Seitei Series is a 12 kata series derived from several old ÒkoryuÓ schools of iai. Iaido kata are solitary forms in which the practitioner visualizes and defends against one to four imaginary opponents. This kendo kata series offers a well-rounded education in kneeling and standing sword movements and techniques. The basic components of each kendo/iaido kata include unsheathing the blade; executing a disabling cut; follow through on the cut; chiburi/ cleansing by flinging the blade, and re-sheathing. Every movement is precisely timed and executed.
Note: Samurai Sports will supply all the weapons but feel free to bring and use your own. For more information, call 800-748-4084
