It got its start in feudal Japan around 1600, but with practitioners around the world, Iaido is still going strong.
Iaido is the traditional Japanese martial art of drawing and cutting with the samurai sword. The purpose of Iaido is to develop awareness, centeredness, sincerity, a calm mind, and mental and physical harmony through the practice of traditional sword techniques. It is the Japanese martial art that is most closely associated with the samurai class and Japanese nobility. It is not considered a sport, but rather an ancient traditional art for the development of mind, body, and spirit.
Well-known local musician Manfred Harter is also an avid practitioner of Iaido and this weekend, he is looking forward to a workshop in Vernon that brings together a variety of instructors.
“The visiting instructors are 6th Dan Peter Gunstone from Parksville and the Naniamo Iaido Club,” said Harter. “With him is our own favourite Japanese instructor, Hiro Inoue, who looks after the Vancouver stable of sword swingers. We are in our second year since the passing of Bill Lewis and it is high time that I am being tweaked and forced into proper conduct, along with the small number of practitioners.
“Also visiting from Kelowna is Peter Falvo, who has been active with Iaido for a number of years and we are now fluctuating between five and seven Iaido practitioners in this area.”
The workshop takes place Saturday at Kal Fitness, #15-Kal Lake Rd., at 3 p.m. The public is welcome to watch the practice of Iaido at no charge.
“We are very grateful to Rick Mclaughlin at Kal Fitness for letting us use his nice hardwood floor with mirrors.”
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 in 1993.
For more information, please call Harter at 250-549-1260 or visit the CIA website at www.iaido.ca.
