Iaido: ee eye dough is the English pronunciation, the phonetic breakdown of that unique and most esoteric activity that no self-respecting martial art film could do without and still draw an interest. The first lesson then is that the pronunciation of this 500-year old word should be correct.
With similarities from the dawn of European Crusades, the antics of the Three Musketeers, to the adventures of Errol Flynn and Johnny Depp and his buccaneers, the underlying themes are the appeal of the blade, its own mystique and the secrets of its use for villain and hero alike.
In feudal Japan, around the year 1600, a man who lived by the sharpness and speed of his sword was to reinvent the manner in which it would be wielded. Hayashisake Jinsuke Shigenobu Minamoto dared to write his ideas, practise them and teach those new techniques. After his father was killed, he went to a shrine, prayed for guidance, received divine inspiration and from there sought successful revenge. He established a new school which today is called Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. There have been many subsequent leaders and practitioners who followed in his footsteps and who have become familiar names over the last 400 and some years. New ideas were implemented and as related martial arts practices show, there are always new tricks to add to the trades.
In essence, the practise of Iaido, as part of the samurai survival repertoire (budo), deals primarily with the history of many years of feudal warfare, intrigue, arts, and the quest for that next meal, not so far removed from the needs of a guitar player, or for that matter anyone else. In particular it is a study of the sword, one’s physical condition and a continuous consideration of a zen attitude in regards to the self, under conditions of conflict or tranquility and how to perceive and accept such human traits.
The Canadian Iaido Association (CIA) was established in consultation with the All-Japan Iaido Federation for the purpose of administering Dan examinations and to promote Iaido in Canada. The CIA was accepted as a registered society March 2, 1993 and in April of that year, the University of Victoria Kendo Club hosted the first seminar. The first visiting dignitary and practising instructor, Seigen Eisaka, 10th Dan Hanshi, came to Victoria to hold a three-day seminar. Letters of Attorney were passed to Ted Davis Sensei, who took up leadership until he passed away recently.
In Vernon, on Saturday, there will be a practice seminar with Iaidoka (practitioners and instructors) from Parksville, Victoria and Vancouver. These are our current instructors and the carriers of the training traditions as we know them here in Western Canada.
From Kelowna, the tradition is upheld by Randy Martin, a strong practitioner of Iaido and related martial arts forms. In Vernon the training classes will be open to a small viewing public and will be held at the Harwood elementary school gym at 4320 – 20 St., with classes at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is free.
At this time of giving information about Iaido in Vernon, it is with regret that a member in good standing for a number of years, Sid Beck from Lumby, has laid his sword to rest after giving in to the ravages of an illness on April 17.
For any further information you can telephone Manfred Harter at 250-549-1260. You can also visit the CIA website at www.iaido.ca and meet our instructors.
