Pardon the pun, but the point of iaido is important to keep.
When we practice iaido or iaijutsu alone it is easy to fall into bad habits or become complacent. There are many schools of iaijutsu or battōjutsu. Among the techniques, there is a moment where the opponent has been cut down. After the coupe de grâs, the iaijutsu practitioner usually performs a ceremonial sword cleansing technique commonly referred to as chiburi, before putting his sword away.
The moment between the final blow and the cleaning of the blade is crucial. Today I was teaching about this moment as it has gotten lost by some students. That moment is when we must know exactly where the enemy is and keep our sword and body in the right posture. We must use tame 溜. Tame is what we call the retention of awareness where we maintain our mind-body on whatever the subject of focus is. In this case, it is to keep ourselves and the sword positioned against the enemy. The fight is not over and there is no time to relax the sword, mind, or body.
Fill it up.
If the mind is empty (of energy) and the sword is also pointing where it shouldn't be then our form is garbage. Even if we jumped 18 feet and did the biggest kirioroshi of our lives; if the gas runs out of our engine after that and we just stand there limp in all manners of incorrect attitude physically and spiritually then we have failed. You can spin and jump and shout. You can even have drums banging away in your dojo. Speed and bombast don't matter if your tank is empty of tame.
Keep the mode of observation from the start to the finish. The finish being the sword is returned and you have walked back to where the start is. From the moment we begin the form we must have this filling of awareness. Like the air in a balloon. Our mind and body must expand.
Be vigilant in your iaido practice to keep your tame balloon filled with energy. Thank you for spending time reading my thoughts.
ラジカスキー真照
館長Saneteru Radzikowski is the head sword instructor of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. He lives and teaches Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu from Nara, Japan.
Sword Control
We should not let our mind or body or sword become contorted or controlled by...
Practice
The car at the bottom of the hill needs a sustained gas pedal to move...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
On being human and a martial artist
It is difficult to wind through the brambles and thorns of life. It is impossible...
What is Koryū?
Japanese martial arts are usually defined in two groups. Pre-modern and modern. There are no...
Ranks, Respect, and Reverberations: Navigating Today’s Martial World
In the hallowed path of martial arts, the journey has always been as significant, if...
Reflections on 31 Years of Martial Arts and 8 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
不動心 (Fudōshin) – The Immovable Mind As I mark 31 years of practicing martial arts...
Covid-19 Corona Virus And Martial Arts
The End of Training & Boredom In Martial Arts
Budō Is Limitless When does training end? When do we become a master? The short...
I Am A Lazy Martial Artist
There is a saying, “You get out of it what you put into it.” It...
Playing With Sharp Swords
I have been saying it’s important to get training for using a sharp sword or...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...
Shugyō and Keiko Martial Arts Practice
Practicing and Studying There are two main words used about practicing and learning in martial...
death budo
What have you been distracting yourself with while death is around the corner? Time is...
Bushido Chūgi The code of Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the shining points in any list about the virtues important to...
Learning Koryū Kenjutsu & Iaijutsu Traditionally
How To Learn Samurai Sword Fighting Without A Teacher?
I get asked often, “Hey, is it possible to learn sword fighting without a teacher...
Budo Thoughts
There are techniques and scrolls and teachings all over the dojo. What does it matter...
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
Is Studying Multiple Martial Arts Ok?
Many people study more than one martial art. There can be varied reasons, such as...
Don’t Fall Into The Honey
You only have a little bit longer to live. The end is coming, whether in...
Tachi Iai & Suwari Iai Demonstrations
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center...