Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido

r–Ψ–³lΦ—¬‹‡“Ή

Member of

All Japan Iaido Federation

Kinki District Iaido Federation

 

r–Ψ–³lΦ—¬‹‡“Ή

  

 

What is Iai?

Iai is a budo using a Japanese sword and Iai is a general body motion against the opponent drawing the sword from a sheath.
We can define Iaido like this:
   
1. A sword technique of unsheathing and cutting immediately against un unexpected attack from one or more opponents.
 
   
2. "Iai(sitting)" is a word as opposed to the word "Tachiai(standing)"Iai is a tecnique of unsheathing, attacking and defending against the opponent until entering "Tchiai(standing)".We can not tell the point where "Iai" and "Tachiai" transform to each other exactly. "Iai" and "Tachiai" is a unity as Kenbudo.
 
 
 
 
   

 

 

History of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido

 

The name of the founder is called "Mujinsai" or "Munisai". Both are OK.
Here in this web site we call him "Mujinsai".

Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna,the founder, created a synthetic bujutsu in the Eiroku and Tensho periods (late 16th.C.)after he had fought on the battle field. Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido comes from this synthetic bujutsu.
At first it was a synthetic bujutsu which combined various fighting techniques that were very important on real battle fields. It was not an independent sword bujutsu,nor an independent spear bujutsu, nor independent jujutsu.
After Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan, Araki Mujinsai Ryu has been handed down for generations. The style of Araki Ryu reflected the times and gradually was separated into specialized categories.This kind of changing usually happened in other bujutsu.The successors have been studying and trying to find a better way.
Now we can find three forms of Araki Ryu. "Araki Ryu Kenpou" in Isezaki City,Gunma, "Araki Ryu Gunyoukogusoku" in Yokohama City,Kanagawa and "Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido" in Himeji and Kobe,Hyogo. Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna was said to have been of the family of Araki Murashige, a lord in Settsu provence.It is a pity it is not certain when Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna was born and passed away.

 

 

Araki Mujinsai Ryu

Suwari Waza 23 katas
Tachi Waza 29 katas
Kumitachi 13 katas@
Kodachi  
Choto Battoho  
Kurai Gamae  

 

"Shomen Makko", the first kata in Kumitachi

 

 

How we practice Iaido?

 

We use a Japanese sword. But sometimes it is not a real one. We use a well made replica sword in the class.

We use these clothes:
keikobi ( jacket )
hakama ( skirt-like trousers )
otoko obi ( belt )
knee pads (optional )

We practice katas( a form ) with an imagined opponent.
Sometimes we try Tameshigiri(a trial cutting with a real sword)to master Tenouchi(how to grip a sword).We cut a roll of tatami mat or bamboo.The purpose of trying Tameshigiri is not "a cutting" but " a study of cutting".

We study how to move our body efficiently and we also value courtesy and cultivating the mind. We can find something different from "sports". It is hard to reach the height of Iaido. As we try to pursue Iaido,we go into the depths of the world of Iaido. We can enjoy learning Iaido for a long time without getting boared of learning one thing.

The amount of body motion is not so huge. There is no touching of bodies. So we can say Iaido is not a strenuous exercise. Aged people can do Iaido. But remember we sweat a lot because Iaido requires us to use concentration and we put much spirit into Iai.

@

 

 

 

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