Questions of a prospective Iaidoka.

[Drew Waits]

Hello all,

I'm Drew, I live in Colonial virginia, and I'm a fairly short on cash (so I cannot seek lessons), I need some help and information regarding the Art of Iaido.
I suppose I will do this in list format to get the questions organized, and if you could answer in a similiar format I would be most appreciative. This list is going to be long, so I appologize for my ignorance and thank you all for your time.
Here Goes:

1. Is it practical to learn Iaido from a book? I lack the money for weekly or bi-monthly sessions.
2. I've read around and it seems to me that the weight difference between an Iaido Boken and a Katana can throw off your form when transitioning from a bokken to a real Katana. Is it better to start off with a Bokken or a dull or "blank" blade before using a real Katana?
3. In the event of me needing a bokken, should I get the cheapest one I can get or try Tozando? and in the event of needing a blank Katana, where should I go for that?
4. There are many schools of Iaido, I understand that, what I don't understand is the real difference between them. Just list the names and fundamental differences. Ive read that the length of Katana is differnet in different schools. I'm sure there are plenty of differneces, be as specific or broad as possible.
5. Which school do you all deem the best and what sets it apart? What I think I'd like is very technical stuff, bust past that I don't know what else.
6. Is a Gi and Hakama (propper dress) really required for succesfull practice of Iaido? I know it is tradition, but if I can wear loose workout clothes or the like I would preffer to do so.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[Jason Anstey]

Hi Drew,

It is good that you have an interest in studying Iaido. Unfortunately it is impossible to learn from a book. The rest of your questions are a bit irrelevant unless you can get the funds together to train in a dojo.

Sorry that I can post a more positive response.

[jjcruiser]

I don't know iaido and can't comment on the iaido specific questions. But I know Kendo is a very affordable activity and from what I understand, Iaido is too. Nearly all instructors are volunteers; some dojos have fees as low as $20 per month (that can work out to like $2.50 a class.) I don't know how much the classes are at the dojo in Richmond (maybe the closest to you?) but if that's even close for there, can you really not afford $2.50 a class? That's like skipping a latte at $tarbucks or eating ramen once a week instead of a happy meal. I seriously doubt if you can afford internet access that is out of reach.

Btw, "real katanas" will costs thousands of dollars and years of your life before you should buy one for use. But yes, you will start with a bokken/bokuto and it will cost like $20. And yes you will need proper attire, but not right away.

[stealth_monkey]

1) No. You can possibly survive on bi-weekly to monthly lessons once you're experienced, but I was struggling to keep my game up when I had to move to fortnightly lessons. To give you an example of why book-learning is so difficult- I've had a bit of trouble with a particular movement in the first kata since I started (literally part of seiza- which is sitting down). A couple of weeks ago, I figured out that it was due to engaging the wrong leg muscles when an instructor commented on it- not something you pick up in a book.

2) Yes, it can. But, as a beginner you have no real form to throw off. You'll find that many clubs have you using bokken very briefly, especially if there is a club iaito. Students at our club will start using an iaito half way through their first lesson onwards if there's a spare one about.

3) Bokken- If you'll be only using it for a couple of weeks, as cheap as possible. In terms of iaito, normally ask your instructor what they recommend.

4) Different schools of iaido are distinguished by where they were originally from and when they were created. Some styles are extremely similar, some are completely different. Some use extremely long blades (eg kage ryu) but most use the same general size.

5) There is no best art. The days of iaido having any practical purpose are long behind us. If you're lucky enough to have more than one school to pick from, and it's a legitimate ryuha, then pick whoever has the teacher you like best.

6) Yes, it is required, mainly because of the way you stick your sword in your belt. If I'm practising basic stuff (like cuts) at home I sometimes just throw an obi around some workout clothes, but I wouldn't practise anything technical with them.

[ryoma]

Drew; do you have any dojo around? If yes, go and talk to the teacher.
Real beginners may start off with workout clothes for a couple of trainings. But Keiko-Gi and Hakama are needed for sure. Iai is not just pulling a shiny sword from the scabbard and cutting away... Your questions show me that you still might have such a picture of Iai.

[rottunpunk]

I would add to what ryoma says,
Have you already contacted a club in your area to see what the costs are?

You will find most clubs most accomodating not only to beginners, but to those short on cash too.

If you have money for a book which are generally around the 20-30 quid mark, then that is 4 lessons

[babayaga]

I'm Drew, I live in Colonial virginia, and I'm a fairly short on cash (so I cannot seek lessons), I need some help and information regarding the Art of Iaido.

(snip)
1. Is it practical to learn Iaido from a book? I lack the money for weekly or bi-monthly sessions.

NO

4. There are many schools of Iaido, I understand that, what I don't understand is the real difference between them. Just list the names and fundamental differences. Ive read that the length of Katana is differnet in different schools. I'm sure there are plenty of differneces, be as specific or broad as possible.

There are books on this, from which you can learn plenty. Try Draeger's 3 volume set, Classical Bujutsu, Classical Budo, and Modern Budo, as a starting point. (Just take Draeger's jutsu/do distinction with a shaker of salt.)

5. Which school do you all deem the best and what sets it apart? What I think I'd like is very technical stuff, bust past that I don't know what else.

That's a backwards question. First, find the right teacher.

I've had bad teachers; I've had good teachers. I could be studying bricklaying with my current lot, and it would be more than worth it all.

First, find the right teacher. The art is in your relationship with your teacher.

6. Is a Gi and Hakama (propper dress) really required for succesfull practice of Iaido? I know it is tradition, but if I can wear loose workout clothes or the like I would preffer to do so.

Yes. It's needed to hold the sheath of the sword. Plus, when you train in a traditional pursuit you play by its rules. For further understanding of this, I recommend reading all of Dave Lowry's books you can get a hold of. Your library (if it still exists in these days of austerity) probably has one or two. Some are on line at koryu.com (under articles).

If Colonial Virginia is anywhere near Arlington, in a couple of months, give or take, there will be an annual weekend eastern and western swordsmanship event called Swordfest. This gets together some folks from all up and down the East coast, and farther away as well, in 20 minute demo blocks. There's some iaido, some kenjutsu, both modern and classical. There's also kendo, atarashii naginata, and kyudo. Then there's Italian and German longsword and associated arts. It's fun, the teachers talk about their arts, and one gets to see a variety.

In Virginia, this is probably your best opportunity to hook up with a good teacher, because iaido isn't a money-making proposition and the good teachers generally don't advertise. Plus, it's a small enough community that everyone knows everyone (or at least everyone's teachers). They haven't announced the date yet this year, but it will probably be late April/May. Keep your eye on the Events forum.

-Beth

[Jonathan]

Books can help you with terminology, history, maybe a little philosophy. You can learn something about sword work, but you won't learn how to do anything. At least not with any depth.

The clothing isn't strictly necessary to practice. It is going to be hard to train how to draw a sword if you don't have a belt to keep it in though. I'd say an obi and a bokken are pretty much the absolute minimum equipment requirements to get going. If you have those two at least and a teacher that is willing to work with you, you should be able to get started. If you are planning on hitting any kind of seminar or group event, you really should have the full costume and know how to put it on when you show up, at least if you're planning on taking part.

[hl1978]

I teach and iaido class in virginia, but we also have several other sword based styles out of our dojo.

There is also kendo/iaido in the Norfolk area too.

[Durandal]

the best for a prospective iaidoka is to teach something more popular like judo, karate or aikido at the same time, just to make your iai class out of money problem, plus, people joining your classes for judo might be interested after that to follow your teaching in iai class and so you might end up with a lot of students and that's cool to teach what you like to many people.

[Halcyon]

Drew,

As others have said, you really need to start learning at a dojo under the supervision of an instructor. If you try to pick things up on your own, chances are you will be led astray. The beginning is a very, very important time in any martial art. If you start down the wrong track, it can take years to undo the bad habits that you pick up while practicing alone.

Dojo dues are quite reasonable in most places because no legit iaido dojo in the U.S. that I know of is a for-profit venture. The instructor is basically collecting enough dues from members to cover expenses such as rent. But if your financial situation is such that you can't afford the dues, then you might be better off just waiting a bit until your financial situation improves before you start studying. I understand you are eager to learn, but you really have to start off right.

[Kim Taylor]

No wonder the arts are drying up. Used to be that we'd get a magazine or a book and start hacking around with each other, and then if we found a teacher we'd jump on the chance and nobody had a problem. Now that we've got the internet a beginner wouldn't dare even read a book for fear of getting bad habits. Don't even think about watching a video.

You can learn as much iaido from a book as you can learn any other physical activity such as skiing or skating or swimming. Some stuff is really hard to put into words but you generally don't need that stuff until you're beyond "book learning" anyway. I learned how to cross country ski from a book and many other things along the way. Never noticed that I was bad at any of it, hurt by it, or held back by "bad habits" when I found a teacher.

Cut down a broomstick or use a walking stick if you don't want to get a bokuto, forget about a metal blade to learn with, it's not necessary. Get the big body movements down and get to a teacher for the rest of it. You'll learn a lot faster with some sort of clue in your body-language.

You don't need the fancy duds, especially not the hakama, the Imperial Army didn't need it, they just had a belt with a hook made for their practice. Stick your broomstick into an old karate belt.

As for the rest of your question, you've found the internet, find google and look for videos if you really want to know the difference between schools but why bother, there aren't that many instructors around that you'll have a choice anyway. Find the one closest to you and start when you've got the chance, the rest will take care of itself.

Kim.

[Jonathan]

But then his future instructors will have to spend untold months, perhaps even years wasting their time just to get him back to the pristine snowflake state so he can start learning!

This is also why when someone starts a system they must be forever married to it, and can never leave it to pursue another one, or heavens forfend study more than one thing. All those ingrained movements and methodologies will forever and irrevocably change him on a fundamental level. A single mis-step could set him back by decades!

[dillon]

No wonder the arts are drying up. Used to be that we'd get a magazine or a book and start hacking around with each other, and then if we found a teacher we'd jump on the chance and nobody had a problem. Now that we've got the internet a beginner wouldn't dare even read a book for fear of getting bad habits. Don't even think about watching a video.

When is Keanu Reeve's 47 Ronin coming out? There should be a decent influx of starters into the dojo then. Last Samurai was soooo long ago now

The stories senior BKA sensei tell suggest that when they started they often did hack around and make stuff up. It seems that what they lacked in authentic resources they made up for with lots of enthusiasm and toil to make up for "lost time" once they had steady access to a sensei. It's probably a longer road though than what most of us have available these days.

[Kim Taylor]

The stories senior BKA sensei tell suggest that when they started they often did hack around and make stuff up. It seems that what they lacked in authentic resources they made up for with lots of enthusiasm and toil to make up for "lost time" once they had steady access to a sensei. It's probably a longer road though than what most of us have available these days.

A lot longer and harder than you might think. When folks speak so glibly about "go see a sensei" they are actually being quite dismissive of the efforts of the first generation or two of students over here in these arts. Quite often all they had were books to keep up with what was happening, it was many years until we had sensei coming regularly from Japan to update us, and when they finally did become available your seniors worked their asses off to fix what they needed to.

Also understand that while they were trying to get enough time for practice themselves, they were teaching the next generation who only needed to do as they were told and, as my sensei says "selfish practice". It is not easy to start an art from scratch administratively, while "filling in the blanks", catching up to date and teaching so that there will be enough folks to fill the seminars that bring the sensei from Japan.

If the current generation isn't vastly better than we are when they're our age, it will be from pure laziness. I'd like to see a lot more of them stick their noses into some source material instead of looking at us with big cow eyes expecting to be spoon fed and making excuses for not reading like "I'm afraid it will give me bad habits". ;-)

Kim.