Some may not know it, but besides learning taiji, and having a first dan in Japanese calligraphy (shodo 書道), I also have a second dan in iaido 居合道. So what is iaido, actually?
Iaido is actually derived from iaijutsu 居合術 (which was in turn a part of the bigger martial skill known as battojutsu 抜刀術), which is the skill of being able to quickly draw a sword, cut your opponent in that single draw, and then return the sword back into its scabbard. In feudal Japan, with its turbulent times, it was of course a very useful skill to have. But with peace, there was less need for killing, yet these skills trained not just the body, but also the spirit, and thus martial skills became martial arts, and their focus changed towards training the spirit, more than killing people. Iaido is the martial arts form of iaijutsu.
The school/style that I learnt is Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu 無雙直傳英信流, which traces back to its founder, Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu 林崎甚助重信. After learning the basic seiza 正座 moves, instruction moves on the the standing moves (like batto ho 抜刀法) and tatehiza 立膝 moves.
As with all martial arts, the important thing is to train the spirit, not just the body. Being able to perform all the moves correctly is not the ultimate goal. It is in training concentration, focus, being able to accept criticism, mental calm, etc. that is the goal.
In Singapore, iaido is non-existent, since there are no teachers here, much less say a dojo. I do have a few fellow iaido students in Singapore (they should be fourth dan by now), and maybe in the future, we may get together for some practice sessions.
A picture of my sensei, Esaka Seigan 江坂静厳.
A listing of iaido dojo in Japan
An article in Japan Times
Friday, November 09, 2007
Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu 無雙直傳英信流
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26 comments:
But are iaito's legal in Singapore? even if not sharp?
I am a Singaporean currently working in the UK, I am of nidan and registered with the British Kendo Federation. I have not found a Singapore Iaido dojo so far. It would be nice whenever I come back for holidays to be able to practice.
I don't think they are illegal, there are also decorative ones being sold in Singapore. I also don't think there are any iaido dojos in Singapore, but I do know two others who have learnt before (should be 4th dan) that may be interested in getting together.
im practising muso jikiden eishin ryu as well.. where can i find ppl learning iaido in singapore??
I don't know if iaido is even practised in Singapore... though there is nothing stopping you from getting a group of fellow practitioners together and practising in a park or something. I haven't practised for a while, but every now and then when I return to Japan, I would go to the bookshop and see if there is any good iaido book. BTW, which part of Singapore do you live in?
actually learning seitei iaido under zen nippon iaido renmei(ZNIR) and MJER under Dai nippon iaido renmei(DNIR)(Ayosai Seimiya Soke, i suppose urs is under the ZNIR).. im in melb now.. i juz started.. so i would like to know if i could continue if i go back to sg at the end of this year..
You are going to be a bit disappointed if you are thinking of continuing iaido back in Singapore. As far as I know, there are no teachers here in Singapore. The best you can get is probably an ad-hoc get-together at someone's void deck.
Hi Teck. If I'm right, i think your are qualified to teach MJER iaido. I wonder if you can help to set up/open up a dojo, so that all us us iaido enthusiast/ iaido-ka can train and pratice together? This way, you can help promote and introduce the art of iaido in Singapore. I hope to see it happen, as i am very seriously interested in learning.
I am only second dan, so I am not able to teach iaido. Usually, you need to be fifth dan to teach. A good book on iaido, though, can be found at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1583941975?tag=teckstree-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1583941975&adid=1SVMP1SH2XFSAXRW76X8&
As for setting up a dojo, let me ask my two friends if they are interested.
I do have that book, but the book is NOT a TEACHER. The book only serves as a reference/guide to those who are already familiar with MJER's style of iaido. Bad postures will be hard to get rid off without proper guidance of a teacher.
I went to vancouver last year for some trial lesson in MJER. But i have forgotten some of it as i pratice more on the first 3 set of Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iai.
Yes please, do let me know of your MJER club.
Thanks for reply. Best of regards :)
skywalker, sure, I will keep this idea in mind about having a get-together for practices. The practical aspects of this task daunts me, though, since there is the obvious question of place (where in Singapore can I find a place to swing swords), demand (just how many people in Singapore are actually interested in iaido), equipment (how many people actually own their own swords) and time (how many of us are actually committed enough to want to meet up once a week, or even more frequently, for practices). Community centres seem like a good answer for place, but I am not sure they will allow people to swing swords without seeing some form of certification. Let me think through this first and if I have answers to my own questions, I may well post a blog entry in the future about practice sessions.
hi Teck :) Actually you will be surprised that there will be quite a handful of people interested in a get together iaido training. It is because some of them have had training oversea but only to return to Singapore to practice in the privacy of their home. Some of them may come from either of the 2 popular school of iaido for example MJER and MSR. And, they already have iai-to. So do i :)
Regarding a place for us iaido-ka to train together, i think it is not a problem, as long as it is done in a premise that provides us a valid reason to train in privacy. I know a few places which will require us to pay a small fee. Of course training in community centre and/or park is definitely a NO-NO, as we do not want to attract unnecessary attentions and having some 'bad-eggs' to train with us!
BTW, may i have your email so that we can exchange more info in privacy? Nice to see your blog on iaido in Singapore :)
Best of regards!
My email is vntsjp_AT_yahoo_dot_co_dOT_jp
I have not been touching iaido for a while, focusing instead on taiji (http://mytaijijournal.blogspot.com/) but a lot of things that I learnt in taiji applies to iaido as well, as I found out in my taiji journey. Things like learning attitude, how to train, how to improve, how to treat competitions, etc. are all applicable not matter what martial arts you are learning. Meanwhile, let me sort out things on my end to see how feasible it is for me to spend time on iaido (with lots of other things, like a baby on the way, coming into the picture).
Yes, quite true. Wow you are going to be a Dad! Here wishing you an early congratulation!
Yes, your priorities in life should be attended to, especially your family matters and of raising your children.
Please take your time, hopefully you are able to open a 'official' MJER dojo in S'pore after you have settled everything.
Best of regards :)
Congrats on your being a dad!
I'm interested in learning iaido but I have no martial arts background, so I definitely have to find someone willing to teach beginners. I think iaido is very uncommon in S'pore because there are no dojos, much less publicity for it, compared to kendo. Most people I talked to know of kendo but have never heard of iaido.
Please let us know if your friends decide to set up an iaido dojo here! I will rush there and sign up for a course!
Anyway is it okay for beginners to start with an iaito rather than a bokken?
Hello Teck,
Discovered your iaido posts whilst hunting the web. I would highly recommend that you get a 'dojo' going even if you don't believe you are qualified. I know of many fine sensei that were pushed to start their own teaching when mere shodan. And teaching others will also help you to study and assess your own skills.
I notice you studied under Esaka sensei, I believe he is within the Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei which recognises Ikeda Takehashi as soke. The Dai Nippon Iaido Renmei, (which my dojo is within) recognised Seimiya sensei until his recent passing.
Golden rule - teach what you know, know what you don't.
regards
Alex
I will probably cap it at just practising together (not real teaching) when my schedule allows. First thing is to find a place (free...) which won't draw too much attention with people swinging swords. If anyone knows a suitable place in northeastern Singapore where people can practise iaido in peace without drawing too much attention, do let me know!
Stumbled upon this blog while searching the web for iaido dojo in SG.
Are there any such dojo in SG?
No iaido dojo in Singapore yet... as far as I know. Until someone decides to start one... currently, thinking of doing some practice, but need to find a suitable place first. Must be free, preferably enclosed and not too much in the eye of the public.
May need to 'borrow' some school hall or community centre for that :) Btw, how much would the entire gear set one back? I'm keen to learn iaido but I do not have any gears except the iaito.
aah.. free stuffs hard to come by in SG ;-p
Hi! Im also interested in iaido and as for the gear, u would have to get a Gi first which would cost you for about $SGD30+ - $150+SGD. Then, u would have to get a Hakama. Could get them from either liang seng or ting fong etp. costs around 70+ 80+ SGD. then a kaku obi( I think it may be optional) as for prices IDK cos i du have 1 yet. As for beginners, I would not recommend an Iaito unless you could perform a good noto and show that you can control the sword. So get a bokuto(Bokken) and get some experience with it first! =P
Hello Teck, I am a Singaporean graduate student in SF who is also practicing MJER, and would like to discuss with you the possibility of starting an MJER Iaido Club here in Singapore. It seems there are some people here who also practice Iaido and others who are interested. I have sent you an email to your email address as listed above. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you. KLW
Hi Teck and everyone,
My name is Peter Chua, and i have been training in MJER for 9 years in Vancouver's MJER club. I have attained a Mushin status in MJER, and i am here to set up MJER school under the Canadian Iaido Association, which will be under the All Japan Iaido Federation in June this year.
Anyone interested to learn and train in MJER may contact me at my handphone: +65 9698 5471
Moreover, i am also authorised to possess and trade in genuine iaito. I am looking to set up Singapore's first genuine iaito (Made in Japan).
Best of regards to all.
Hi to all
I came upon this blog by chance. It looks like
there same problems in Singapore and Jakarta, the only difference
there are iaido dojos here but not that big.
I am a practitioner of HDGD in Jakarta, and our club is small
and currently we have only 3 members plus our Kwanjangnim and his son.
I believed most East Asian Sword arts in here same problem like you do.
For my case, I have double hurdle, korean sword arts is less familiar with the general populace
who at least knew JSA with all its various ryu ha.
In fact Iaido has a small community here in Jakarta and thriving.
I think there is a Shinkendo dojo in Singapore, my friend who is shinkendoist in Jakarta,
went to singapore for training before.
Also, most difficult issue in swords arts is the place for training , people just aghast seeing us
swinging swords, we could be mistaken for war mongers!
Another is the legality issue of iaito, Singapore maybe strict but I believed regualtions are run with
certain degree of fairness. In Jakarta, legality of iaito is so grey, most likely practitioners will get taken advantage by authority.
So many in fact probably all won't declare they have Iaito.
Anyway, all the best in your effort to establish Iaido in Singapore.
Dear all,
Eishin-Ryu Iaido (Singapore) has been officially and legally registered, and we are open for training every Monday 830pm and finish 1030pm. We train in the Danz People Studios at 1 Selegie Road, #02-18, POMO (former Paradiz Centre)
Our iaido training is based on the Tanimura-ha school of MJER.
Anyone interested are welcome to come for a free trial training. Registration is required prior to joining as a member.
Do check out our facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eishin-Ryu-Iaido-Singapore/162566403760107?ref=mf
email: mjersg@hotmail.com
Cheers, and best of regards :)
Dear everyone,
Eishin Ryu Iaido Singapore is given official name "Genyokan" dojo from the Japanese Headquarters of Eishin Ryu Iaido (Ippan Shadan Houjin Seitou Seiryu Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido Kokusai Renmei).
Our practices schedules and time:
Mon : 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Thu : 7:00pm - 9.00pm (Beginners)
Sat : 2.00pm - 3.00pm (Beginners)
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Dojo location:
324D King George's Building
(Located on the top floor)
Nearest MRT station is LAVENDER
For more information, please check our website:
https://www.mjersg.org
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