Iaido

Iaido is a Japanese martial art that can trace its roots deep into the samurai period. The style I study is known as Muso Jikiden Eishen Ryu Iaido translated as "Peerless, Direct Transmission, True Faith Style Iaido" and is considered to have been founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto Shigenobu (1546-1621). It involves techniques with the sword that are distinguished by starting and finishing with the sword in its saya or scabbard.

In contrast Kendo concentrates mainly upon fencing with swords (usually simulated with bamboo shinai) when they are drawn.

Iaido is practised mainly with a mixture of bokkens (wooden swords, also used in Aikido) or with an Iaito which is a special sword, usually blunt edged, made from alloy to resemble a real sword in as much detail as possible.

High ranking iaidokas (or stupid people) sometimes use real swords or Shinken.

There is a website for our club at www.roshukai-ireland.org.

There are some pictures in the gallery.