THE ART OF JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP

A manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido. Detailed explanations of the history and technical aspects of the art. Purchase copies of The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship signed by the author.

Available at the Art of Japanese Swordsmanship online store.

STRATEGY IN JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP

Popular author Nicklaus Suino offers a comprehensive collection of practice methods designed to help you increase the effectiveness of your swordsmanship and deepen your character.

Available at the Art of Japanese Swordsmanship online store.

PRACTICE DRILLS FOR JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP

A variety of practice drills designed to assist the practitioner of iaido to understand how to use the sword effectively. Purchase copies of Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship signed by the author.

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BUDO MIND AND BODY

As seen in Black Belt Magazines ESSENTIAL GEAR. The martial arts training bible for practitioners all over North America and the world. Purchase copies of Budo Mind and Body, signed by the author.

Available at the Art of Japanese Swordsmanship online store.

IAIDO.COM recommends the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where intensive courses are offered in iaido, judo, and jujutsu (jujitsu). Kendo is practiced in a weekly workshop. See the Japanese Martial Arts Center site.

The real secret to becoming an expert in martial arts is realizing that training is a process of self-discovery. Further, it is a means of modifying one's personality to make oneself healthier, more well-balanced, and more efficient. Outside of Japan, this idea has for the most part been lost, and the budo forms are typically taught as nothing more than specialized fighting methods. This approach is wasteful, however, for in the short term there are much more efficient ways to teach fighting than the highly ritualized practice of traditional martial arts. Only when an art is considered as a whole system, including its internal aspects, can all the cultural content be justified. - from BUDO MIND AND BODY, by Nicklaus Suino.

Aikido consists mainly of throwing techniques and pins that rely on joint locking.  It is almost wholly defensive in nature.  Most of the skills involve responding to an opponent's attack and redirecting the offensive energy in such a way as to unbalance and topple the attacker to the ground.  Many of the techniques involve circular motions that first take you out of harm's way, then cause the attacker to lose balance.  Practice can be very gentle, especially in schools that emphasize the idea of using ki ("intrinsic energy") over physical strength.  The main philosophical premise of aikido is harmony with the opponent, both in body and spirit.  Older people or people who are not in top physical condition can usually practice this art safely, at least at the beginning levels.

Ueshiba Morihei created aikido by modifying many earlier Japanese jujutsu techniques and adding to them the idea of harmonizing with the opponent's movements.  Ueshiba was a religious man who stressed spiritual development as much or more than physical development, an emphasis that some of his successors have adopted and reinforced.  Today, there are three major schools of aikido: Hombu (headquarters) style, Aikikai (probably the softest style), and Yoshinkai (the most regimented of the three).

The benefits of studying aikido are many.  Its relatively gentle physical exercise builds strength gradually.   The cooperative practice means there are few injuries, and it allows people with a wide range of abilities to practice together.  The movement drills can transform a clumsy person into someone who moves with grace and good balance.  The dojo is usually a pleasant social environment where students cooperate to get things done, and the principles of the art can be a good tool for learning how to manage conflict.

The drawbacks of the art are mostly the converse sides of its unique strengths.  Because training involves cooperation, it is possible to practice for many years without ever knowing if your techniques would actually work in self-defense.  It is generally a less strenuous workout than other martial arts such as judo or karate, though two people who want to train hard can easily add power and speed to their training.  Finally, there is a disturbing trend in many schools to remove all traces of realism from their training, using light, compliant attacks and jumping or falling before the technique can actually be applied.  This type of practice, while almost totally safe, is closer to dance than to a real martial art, and bankrupts aikido of many of its most valuable qualities.