AIKIDO ENIGHET
|
Iaido At Enighet we endeavour to explore the Japanese art of the blade,
iaido as a complement to Aikido. Iaido-sessions are open to all members of Enighet
and practitioners of Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Tae-Kwon-Do are present in the Iaido-classes
Thomas Ohlsson practising Iaido. Here he is doing noto or
bringing the blade back to the scabbard, a movement that is done in many different ways. Photo: Stefan
Stenudd.
Since sessions are scheduled only once a week,
there is very little use in working with Iaido only.
It is supposed to act as a compliment to the primary Budo-training
and a valuable compliment it is indeed.
Basic and essential skills as mental focus, posture, precise movement, breathing,
tanden and foundation of all movement are all learnt within the strict system of Iaido.
Iaido consists of hundreds or even thousands of different schools
and styles. At Enighet we mainly practice Seitei Iai,
a style that has become a kind of basic style world-wide,
and Nishio sensei's Aikido Toho iai which is a collection of sword kata based on
the principles and techniques of Aikido.
We also do other things harder to trace in origin and even more difficult to explain.
Stefan Stenudd teaches iaido. Photo: Thomas
Ohlsson.
When one studies the Japanese character for iaido their meaning is approximately
"the way to harmony with the moment" or simply put "to always be ready".
But it also expresses the art of being able to exist in a relaxed instant,
to be able to immediate adaptation in any given moment without prejudice.
The first character I or IMA that represent the now has a deep and profound
symbolical meaning in eastern way of thought.
The character is included in the Japanese word nakaima, which is a version of
paradise according to shintoistic tradition.
The meaning of the word is here and now or to truly be here and now.
Training is performed in kata, fixed movements and combinations practised alone with the sword
against imaginary opponents. The sword in mention is of course the Japanese two-handed katana.
A real Katana cost a great deal of money and it's legendary sharpness has been known to draw
blood from even the most skilled of adepts so normally one uses a modern version of the Katana
called iaito. The iaito comes in several ranges of prices and qualities varying from a
couple of thousand crowns up to about 10000 s.e.k.
Beginners normally train with bokken, a wooden sword that is also used in paired
Aikido sword training.
Iaido at Enighet. In the foreground we see Tomas Ohlsson.
Photo: Stefan Stenudd.
The Iaido at Enighet falls under the responsibility of Stefan Stenudd, 4th dan Aikido Toho Iai,
assisted by Thomas Ohlsson 1st dan Aikido Toho iai.
Beginners are welcome at any time since training is performed in solitaire and the
development of each individual is not hampered by the addition.
The cost is 150 s.e.k per term and training sessions are scheduled at Saturdays at 11-o clock.
Saturdays kl. 11.00 - 12.00
A small booklet on iaido
In 1994 Stefan Stenudd published a small booklet on Iaido.
The booklet contains only some thirty pages and contains basic information about Iaido,
Seitei and Aikido Toho. It also contains terminology and a vocabulary.
The booklet is available as a PDF. Please note that Nishio sensei has changed several of
his Toho Kata since 1994. Several of the ones mentioned in the booklet are still
there but others have been added which sums up the total to fifteen.
The booklet is available in the store at Enighet at the cost of 30 s.e.k., or below as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. Sorry, it's in Swedish only.
the Iaido booklet as PDF
Aiki Batto
Stefan Stenudd has developed a system of movements designed for practise both in pairs with bokken
and alone with iaito. The system is called Aiki Batto and further information is to be found here:
Aiki Batto
Welcome to Enighet Aikido! |