Iaido
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Pronunciation: E-I-DO
Read This:
The UK Government, initiated by Hazel Blears MP, are trying to
ban Japanese swords by placing them on the offensive weapons list. If you
are practicing a sword art and resident in the UK, I suggest you send a
message to your MP before it is too late. Here
is my letter to my MP. The Government seems to be avoiding a potentially
racist situation by calling the ban, a ban on "ceremonial" or "Samurai"
swords. This leaves a huge hole of abuse (what is a Samurai sword?,
Iaito, Nihonto, Shinken...?). Also, this legislation does not seem to
apply to all swords. For example, Claymores, Sabres, Military swords etc,
all of which can be used to lethal effect. Why?. Let alone other variants;
the many types of Bokuto and Shinai, which are weapons in their own right
(although, who is to say that these will not follow in the same suit).
Amusingly, a large number of the weapons listed on the
offensive weapons list are of Japanese origin. See
this list.
Information:
This page shows information and waza lists for the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (often abbreviated MJER) school of Iaido, associated with the Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei, ZNIR (All-Japan Iaido Federation).
The dojo is called the Esaka Dojo and is run by the Esaka Sensei. It is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Esaka Sensei (Seigan Esaka) holds 10th dan and is vice president of the ZNIR, as well as president of the Kanto region ZNIR. Esaka sensei began practicing iaido in the late 1950s with Torao Fukui sensei who eventually became the 21st soke of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. Esaka sensei obtained shodan in 1958, became hanshi in 1976, and 10th dan in 1991. Esaka sensei also practices kendo, and became 6th dan kyoshi in 1967. He is considered by many to be one of the finest swordsmen alive. (Source: The Iaido newsletter v7n8i, please email me if this is incorrect).
I will try and update this page as often as time permits to add information and resources.
Thanks:
Most of the information on these pages has been given / taught
to me by Esaka Sensei and Raj Thakrar.
Kata lists:
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Kihon no kata
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Seiza no bu
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Tatehiza no bu
Terminology:
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