Iaido

Iaido is the Japanese martial art of drawing and using the katana, the traditional sword of the samurai. Although its techniques originate in combat, its purpose today is not to prepare for duels, but to pursue mastery through disciplined practice. Unlike many physical disciplines, there is little scope for meaningful free exploration with a sword. Kata are not choreography. They are distilled martial situations. Through their repeated practice, students refine posture, timing, awareness, judgement, and composure while exploring principles that have been passed down through generations of practitioners.

Iaido practice

The School

Araki Muninsai Ryū is a traditional school of Iaido whose lineage extends back many centuries. Sōke Hayabuchi, the 16th headmaster of Araki Muninsai Ryū, is a patron of the Shu Ho Jujitsu Renmei. The school places particular emphasis on speed, precision, and efficient movement while preserving the principles and traditions of the ryū.

Students learn techniques progressively in carefully structured groups, spending time between gradings practising newly learned kata while continually refining those already studied. Rather than simply accumulating techniques, practitioners return to the same martial situations throughout their training. The kata remain constant. The practitioner does not. Every repetition offers a new opportunity to deepen understanding, making Iaido a lifelong journey of refinement where one lesson becomes a thousand applications.

Techniques

Iaido no Kata

Suwariwaza

  1. Shomen-Makko
  2. Migi Shomen
  3. Hidari Shomen
  4. Ushiro Shomen
  5. Ashi Gakoi
  6. Uke Nagashi
  7. Shinobi
  8. Oikomi
  9. To Gasumi
  10. Kaishaku
  11. Sarusawa No Tsuki
  12. Chiyo No Sabaki
  13. Inazuma Gaeshi
  14. Inazuma
  15. Inazuma Uchi
  16. Hiryu
  17. Yanagi Kage
  18. Ura Hiryu
  19. Ura Yanagi Kage
  20. Migi Sode Garami
  21. Hidari Sode Garami
  22. Enpi
  23. Hagoromo
  24. Konoha Otoshi
  25. Gama
  26. Uki Hashi
  27. Saburi Zuki
  28. Saburi Nagashi
  29. Muso Zuki
  30. Muso Gaeshi

Tachiwaza

  1. Tsuki No Wa
  2. Kojiri Tori
  3. Nukiuchi
  4. Suigetu Tsukadome
  5. Saburi Furisode
  6. Migi Michizure
  7. Hidari Michizure
  8. Ouji Gote
  9. Iwanami
  10. Kado Iri
  11. Yukigumo
  12. Oiuchi
  13. Kabuto Wari

Iai Heiho no Kata

Kumi Tachi

  1. Shomen-Makko
  2. Kote Uchi
  3. Tsuka Tori
  4. Kojiri Tori
  5. Yoarashi
  6. Samidare
  7. Iwanami
  8. Mise Ai
  9. Ganseki Otoshi

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