The Samurai
Arts “Through the sword we seek to improve our spirit and become better people, to promote peace and good feeling beyond the walls of the dojo and into our daily lives. There are many styles of Iai, many ways to cut, to move, and as one learns one improves technically. However, we train not only to learn techniques, but also to cultivate the heart and spirit, and in this respect all 'styles' lead to the same goal.”
Haruna Matsuo, 8th Dan Kyoshi, 1926 - 2002
Iaido
The art of Iaido [pronounced 'ee-eye-doh') is elegant and would appear to be simple. The student sits or stands quietly, draws out a blade and cuts through the air all in one motion, then puts the sword back into the scabbard. To the casual observer, there is not a lot to see. Iaido, however, 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 striving to achieve perfection of form. There are 2 types of Iaido taught at our school; the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR-All Japan Kendo Federation) grading set, and Muso Jikiden-Eishin Ryu (MJER) our school's traditional style.
Jodo
Jodo
or "the way of the Jo",
is the Japanese art using a short staff (usually about
4.5 feet) called Jo. The art is similar to bojutsu, and is
strongly focused upon defense against the sword. The modern
study of the Jodo has essentially two branches. One is the
koryū, or "old school", the other branch is
called Seitei Jodo, which is practiced by the All Japan
Kendo Federation (Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei) in
conjunction with Kendo, the art of Japanese fencing, and
Iaido, the art of drawing and cutting with a real blade.
Seitei Jōdō starts with 12 pre-arranged kata, which are
drawn from the koryū system. After mastering these 12
kata the student continues with the study of the koryū.
Today, jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese
police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu, or
police stick art.
Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu
The
Niten Ichi Ryu was created by one of the most revered
swordsmen in Japanese history, Miyamoto Musashi. There are 3
sets of sword techniques taught in this style. The first
set, Tachi Seiho, deals with the long sword vs. long sword.
The second set, known as Kodachi Seiho, focuses on short
sword vs. long sword. And the 3rd se is the one most people
associate with Musashi, is the Nito Seiho, which involves
using both long and short sword together against the long
sword. There are no ranks or levels to attain in this style,
and it is a recognized Koryu (old school) in Japan.
The above styles are very old traditional martial arts.
Etiquette, Japanese culture and history are all important
aspects of the
Samurai Arts taught
at Villari'sShugyokan Iaido Dojo.
Classes are taught by Sensei Tim Wakefield, 5th Dan
ZNKR/MJER Iaido, on Wednesdays and Fridays.
(see Schedule)
techniques, but also to cultivate the heart and spirit, and in this respect all 'styles' lead to the same goal.”
The art of Iaido [pronounced 'ee-eye-doh') is elegant and would appear to be simple. The student sits or stands quietly, draws out a blade and cuts through the air all in one motion, then puts the sword back into the scabbard. To the casual observer, there is not a lot to see. Iaido, however, 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 striving to achieve perfection of form. There are 2 types of Iaido taught at our school; the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR-All Japan Kendo Federation) grading set, and Muso Jikiden-Eishin Ryu (MJER) our school's traditional style.
Jodo or "the way of the Jo", is the Japanese art using a short staff (usually about 4.5 feet) called Jo. The art is similar to bojutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the sword. The modern study of the Jodo has essentially two branches. One is the koryū, or "old school", the other branch is called Seitei Jodo, which is practiced by the All Japan Kendo Federation (Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei) in conjunction with Kendo, the art of Japanese fencing, and Iaido, the art of drawing and cutting with a real blade. Seitei Jōdō starts with 12 pre-arranged kata, which are drawn from the koryū system. After mastering these 12 kata the student continues with the study of the koryū. Today, jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu, or police stick art.
The Niten Ichi Ryu was created by one of the most revered swordsmen in Japanese history, Miyamoto Musashi. There are 3 sets of sword techniques taught in this style. The first set, Tachi Seiho, deals with the long sword vs. long sword. The second set, known as Kodachi Seiho, focuses on short sword vs. long sword. And the 3rd se is the one most people associate with Musashi, is the Nito Seiho, which involves using both long and short sword together against the long sword. There are no ranks or levels to attain in this style, and it is a recognized Koryu (old school) in Japan.
