1PART 1 Theory

BRIEF IAIDO HISTORY The Founder of Iai-Do was the master swordsman Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu who lived around 1550

AD during the Muromachi Period. Most ancient schools of Iai-Do trace their roots back to this one man.

The Soke and Founder of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu, Shinoda OhHo Masatsune (1887-1976) studied

swordsmanship with Hokushin Itto Ryu Kenjutsu and was a direct student of Soke Ono Nao Uemon. He

remained with that school until the mid Meiji Era, where he received a Menkyo Kaiden, signifying mastery of

all techniques of Hokushin Itto Ryu.

A Menkyo Kaiden is a certificate issued to a student when the master believes he has taught his student

everything he knows, conferring upon him full master ship of the art form. It is only at this point, that it

becomes acceptable for a swordsman to study a different style from another master, any earlier would be

considered disloyal.

Shinoda OhHo Masatsune then learned and mastered Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu under Soke Hibino Fu

(1750) and also attained a Menkyo Kaiden in that style. He was granted permission by both Grand Masters to

establish his own "Ryu", which he did by combining what he had learned from both schools' techniques.

In 1924, the 13th year of Emperor Taisho, Shinoda OhHo Masatsune founded Hokushin Shinoh Ryu

Iai-Do in Kagoshima. In 1937, he also built and established a school (Honbu) in Nagoya, near to Tokugawa

Castle. Shinoda named his school Hokushin Shinoh Ryu as a tribute to both of his teachers. Hokushin is from

Hokushin Itto Ryu Kenjutsu, Shin-oh uses the character Shin from Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu and the character Oh

is from his own art-name OhHo.

Kimura Hekiho Masakazu is the current head of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Heiho Iai-Do So-Honbu. He

holds the rank of Sei-Shihan 9th Dan (Menkyo-kaiden) and became inheritor of Ryu (the Grand Master of Iai-

Do), Hokushin Shinoh Ryu So-Honbu in 1976, when Soke Shinoda Ohho Masatsune passed away. Grand

Master Kimura Hekiho holds the rank of Kyo-Shi 8th Dan with Zenkoku Iai-Do Renmei (The National Iai-Do

Federation of Japan) where he is a member of the panel of judges. He is also a member of the Supreme Council

of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do Ohgokai.

Born in Nagoya on November 29, 1926 Kimura Hekiho Masakazu grew up in a family steeped in

samurai tradition and with a long history associated with Nagoya Castle. His Great Great Grandfather was a

retainer to the Daimyo and it was from this Lord that his family received the name Kimura.

Grand Master Kimura was thirty years old when he first met Shinoda Ohho Masatsune and he was

already an accomplished swordsman, having studied Yagyu Shinkage Ryu under Kazimima, a senior instructor

from that school of swordsmanship. It was 1957 and Shinoda had just rebuilt his new dojo in Nagoya when

Kimura Hekiho Masakazu joined and consequently became his first student in the new dojo. Shinoda never

forgot this fact and bestowed on Kimura, the honour of teaching all new students. Kimura Hekiho got on very

2well with Soke Shinoda Ohho and recently when he was questioned on whether Shinoda had a favourite waza,

he just laughed and said, "Naturally he loved all his waza because he created them". Kimura's favourite

movement is Mura Same.

The current Grand Master of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu, Kimura HekiHo and Master GoHo both have the

character Ho in their Iai-Do art-names.

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do consists of twenty nine offensive and defensive movements (kata). Many

of them start from the formal sitting position (seiza), rise through to the standing position and end by sheathing

(noto) the sword while returning to the sitting position (seiza.) It is this distinctive flair that sets Koryu,

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do apart from other schools of swordsmanship.

Iai-Do is the ancient Japanese art of drawing the sword and cutting in a single movement. It was created

for the physical and mental discipline of the Samurai warrior practicing arts in the Dojo.

Students are taught Iai-Do techniques for use against single and multiple attackers, even against spear

(yari) and armour (yoroi). Iai-Do combines various offensive and defensive movements teaching a swordsman

to receive and counter an attack from any direction at any time.

The blade length (nagasa) is measured in a straight line from the mune-machi (back blade notch) to the tip of the kissaki (point). The nakago is measured from the mune-machi to the tip of the nakago (nakago-jiri). The Boshi (tip of sword) is measured from the yokote to the tip of the kissaki. Sori (curvature)(see below) is measured from the back of the blade (mune) at the widest point on a straight line from the mune-machi to the tip of the kissaki (point). Japanese Unit Conversions 1 shaku = 11.93 inches (30.30cm) 1 shaku = 10 sun

1 sun = 1.193 inches (3.03 cm) 1 sun = 10 bu

1 bu = 0.119 inches (0.303 cm) 1 bu = 10 rin 1 rin = 0.01193 inches (0.0303cm)

Note: 1 shaku is commonly approximated to be 12 inches (1 foot) Sword Blades Classified by Length: Daito ( katana, uchi-katana, tachi, no-dachi ) - nagasa over 2 shaku Shoto ( wakizashi, chisai-katana ) - nagasa between 1 and 2 shaku Tanto - nagasa under 1 shaku

3RANKS, TITLES AND UNIFORMS Students learning Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iaido start without a rank. Kyu grade examinations are conducted by the DOJO Sensei after 6 months of training. There are two kyu grades, Sho-Dankai and Jo-Dankai. Ko Hai Junior Student Sempai Senior Student Sensei Associate Instructor Shihan Senior Instructor Joseki Shihan Higher Instructor Suseki Shihan Head Instructor Ryuha Keisho Sha Grand Master Soke (Ryusho) Head of Style (actually, head of family, unifier of gods and lineage) Each student is required to have the correct Iaido uniform before attempting their first examination, Sho-Dankai. The correct uniform consists of; Iai-Do Dogi (top) – Dark Blue keikogi Obi (Iai-Do belt) Hakama (Blue or Black) Iai-To (practice sword) Tabi (Japanese socks) - Optional

DOJO Safety 1. Check the mekugi before practice 2. Never cut towards anyone. Cut towards a blank space or wall. 3. Check your position; front, side and rear. Make sure it is clear before cutting. 4. Never walk behind a swordsman. 5. Treat any sword as a live blade (sharp). 6. Clean and oil your blade regularly. 7. Respect courtesy, when you are carrying sword in the Dojo. 8. The Iai DoJo is always a dangerous place. The ultimate responsibility to stay safe belongs to you.

DOJO Etiquette Class participant line up for the opening and closing class etiquette according to their rank and title.

Shrine/Main Shihan If the class has a Shihan,

that person is closest to the shrine and in the centre.

Sensei Sensei Sensei Sensei’s line up next. If there is only one, they are to the right (shown in bold)from Highest Sensei

Sempai Sempai Sempai Next the Sempai’s or senior students line up. These students must be Shodan Ho or higher. If there is only one, they line up on the right.

Ko Hai Ko Hai Ko Hai Then the junior students line up according to their rank. Jo-Dankai would be closest to the front, with Sho-Dankai behind them and then the newest students at the back, farthest from the shrine.

Ko Hai Ko Hai Ko Hai

4When bowing to begin or finish the class, the commands used are: Command Meaning Called By Shinzen ni rei Bow to the Shrine Highest Ranking Sensei To rei Bow to sword Highest Ranking Sensei Shihan ni rei Bow to the Master (If present) Highest Ranking Sensei Sensei ni rei Bow to the Teacher Highest Ranking Sempai Sempai ni rei Bow to the Senior Students Highest Ranking Sensei Otagai ni rei Bow to each other Highest Ranking Sensei 1. Bow at the door when entering or leaving the DOJO. 2. Bow to the instructor or highest ranking student when entering the DOJO 3. Do not talk un-necessarily during class. Speak only to your instructor. 4. Do not stand around idle, practice. 5. Ensure your uniform is clean and tidy. 6. Always bow and respond when your instructor has finished speaking to you. 7. Ensure your fees are paid promptly. GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Rank Requirements Graded By Sho-Dankai Any 5 waza of your choosing DOJO Instructor Jo-Dankai Any 5 waza of your choosing DOJO Instructor Shodan-Ho 1. Shinken Shihan 2. Mak-ko 3. Ichi-monji 4. Uraomote 5. Tenchi Shodan Previous 5 Waza plus; Shihan 6. Geza-dome 7. Tachi-sugata 8. Tsuka Otoshi Written Test Nidan-Ho & Nidan Previous 8 Waza plus; Shihan 9. Sok-ko 10. Tsuka-gaeshi Written Test Sandan-Ho & Sandan Previous 10 Waza plus; Shihan 11. Sayu-dome 12. Mura-same Written Test Yondan-Ho & Yondan Previous 12 Waza plus; Shihan 13. Kasumi 14. Kuguri 15. Waki-gamai Written Test Godan & Rokudan Previous 15 Waza plus; Shihan 16. Sasoi 17. Yari-sabaki 18. Ryu-sei 19. Sure-chigai 20. Inazuma Written Test Nanadan Previous 20 Waza plus; Shihan 21. Tsuki-kage 22. Kesa 23. Mura-kumo

5 24. Sui-getsu 25. Hien-gaeshi Written Test Hachidan Previous 25 Waza plus; Shihan 26. Kage-ro 27. Senuki-battou 28. Shiho-giri 29. Oi-uchi Written Test GRADING ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

The following table gives the attendance requirements for qualification to grade.

Request to be Graded Qualification Required Annual attendance Remk.

Shodan-kai 4 months or more 16 lessons + Sensei

Jodan-kai 4 months from Shodan-kai 16 lessons + Sensei

Shodan-ho 4 months from Jodan-kai 16 lessons + Shihan

Sho-Dan Shodan-ho 30+ lessons per annum Shihan

Nidan-ho Sho-Dan 30+ lessons pre annum Shihan

Ni-Dan Nidan-ho 30+ lessons per annum Shihan

Sandan-ho Ni-Dan 32+ lessons per annum Shihan

San-Dan Sandan-ho 33+ lessons per annum Shihan

Yondan-ho San-Dan 35+ lessons per annum Shihan

Yon-Dan Yondan-ho 35+ lessons per annum Shihan

Go-dan Yon-Dan 40+ lessons per annum Shihan

Roku-Dan Go-Dan 40+ lessons per annum Shihan

Nana-dan Roku-Dan 40+ lessons per annum Shihan

Shihan-Dai Nana-Dan Recommended by.. Grandmaster

Hachi-Dan Shihan-Dai Recommended by.. Grandmaster

Joseki-Shihan 8th Dan + 2 years 46+ years of age Grandmaster

Suseki-Shihan Joseki-Shihan + 3 years 50+ years of age Grandmaster

Kyu-Dan Suseki-Shihan + 5 years 65+ years of age Grandmaster

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Grading Fees –

7TECHNIQUES –

Age – lift or raise up

Aiuchi – mutual strike, strikes at the same time

Ate – strike

Ato – move back

Ayumi ashi – normal walking motion, back foot slides up to become front foot

Batto – drawing a sword, cutting objects

Chiburi – shaking off the blood, cleaning the blade (zanshin should always follow)

. Chibarai – clean off or remove blood

. Chinugui – wiping off the blood

. Front-Stand Chiburi: stand Makko-cutting, front swing down Chiburi, conceal Noto

. Makko Chiburi (isei: exercise the power):straight sword to right horizontal isea, front swing down Chiburi

. Oh Chiburi – large upper circular chiburi

. Sasoi Chiburi (Tenjou Furi): cut and bounce back up quick for Chiburi

. Senukibatto Chibarai (wipe off with paper): wipe off with right hand while sword is in kamaeru position

. Shinken Chiburi: one knee makko-cutting, right side Chiburi. (horizontal)

. Sitting Position Chiburi: from front centre/turn cutting-edge right-side, flick to the right

. Sokko Chiburi (Furu): drop sword-tip, swing-up to left, hit/stop-Chiburi

. Standing Position Chiburi: bring fist of right hand with sword to forehead, flick tip of sword down

. Tachi-Hiza Chiburi – chiburi while single knee position

. Tsukagaeshi Chiburi (Tataki Otosu): drop sword-tip down, hit the hand/sword to do Chiburi

. Yarisabaki Chibarai (wipe off with fingers): wipe with left hand while bring sword handle to the rear

Chudan – middle position, middle kamae, sword in middle

Datto – taking sword from belt

Eguru – to scoop out, gouge

Enzen no metsuke – gaze at the far mountains

Fudoshin – immovable mind, calm spirit

Fumi – a step back-ward (return back)

Fumi-Dasu – step forward

Fumi komi – shift forward, as in a strike, using the hips

Gedan – lower level, sword pointed down

Geza-Dome – (waza) seating defence (block)

Gokai – grandeur, large feeling, full motions

Gyaku kesa giri – diagonal upward cut

Hane age – flipping over (flipping up the blade)

Hanmi – half forward stance

Heiko – parallel

Henka waza – small variations in same basic technique

Hi-En-Gaeshi – (waza) “return flying swallow”

Hiki To-Shi – deep slice cutting

Iai Goshi hips lowered, knees slightly bent, stable position

Iai Hiza, Tate Hiza – kneeling on one calf

Ichi-monji – (waza) straight line, horizontal

Ina-Zuma – (waza) “lightning speed”

Isei – display might, exercise power.

8Jiku ashi – turning foot, the main axis of rotation

Jo ha kyu – acceleration, buildup to climax

Jodan – upper level, sword above head

Kae waza – substitute or totally different techniques

Kage-Rou – (waza) wave of heat

Kaiten – turning

Kamaeru – posture of defensive/offensive stance or positiion

Kasumi – (waza) “mist”

Kata – offensive and defensive movements

Kata te – one handed

Katate kiri – single hand cutting

Katate uchi – one handed cut

Kesa giri – diagonal downward cut. A kesa is a sash worn diagonally across the chest by Buddhist priest

Kesa – (waza) “robe of monk”

Ki Ken Tai Ichi – spirit, sword, body, one

Kiai – shout, yell

Kiri – cut (kiru: to cut)

. Kesa Kiri – diagonal downward cutting

. Kiri Age – cutting upward diagonal

. Kiri Gaeshi – large diagonal cut, sword finishing in Waki Gamae position

. Kiri Kudashi – finishing cut

. Kiri Otoshi – cutting downward (dropping cut)

. Kiri Sage – lower cutting

. Kiri Te – grip that allows cutting action with blade

. Kiritsuke – the cut using right hand only

. Mak-ko Kiri-Oroshi – cutting downward in centre

. Yu Jo-Dan Kiri-Oroshi – cutting downward from right top

. Sa Jo-Dan Kiri-Oroshi – cutting downward from left top

Kiza – kneeling, but up on the toes

Kuguri – (waza) “pass through under”

Ma-ai – distance, space, interval (in time)

Mak-ko – (waza) frontal assault

Metsuke – gaze, look

Moro te – two hands on tsuka

Morote uchi – two handed cut

Munen – no thought

Mura-Kumo – (waza) “masses of cloud”

Mura-Same – (waza) “passing rain”

Mushin – no mind, no rationalization

Mushin – (waza) empty one’s mind

Noto – replacing the blade in the saya. Hold saya with forth and fifth finger, rest third finger near koiguchi. Thumb and index finger should never move around.

. Conceal Noto: Noto side way to hide from front opponent (tachi sugata noto)

. From Sitting, Half Step Forward Noto: Noto while changing a knee.

. From Stand To Sitting Noto: Noto while sitting.

9. Iaigoshi Noto: Noto while in iai-goshi siting position

. Senuki Batto Noto: Saya meets the sword during Noto

. Sokko Noto: Noto while turning around.

. Tachi Noto: Noto while in standing position.

. Yarisabaki Noto: Wipe off with hand and slowly slide into Saya.

Nukitsuke – simultaneous draw and strike

O-chiburi – large or circular chiburi

Oi-Uchi – (waza) attacking routed enemy

Oi waza – chasing or following strikes, attack as opponent retreats

Oku Iai – (waza) inner (hidden) teachings (Joseki Shihan and upper-rank Shihan training)

Otoshi – dropping

Riai – unification of action and theory

Ryu-Sei – (waza) “falling star”

Sae of swordsmanship – the skill beyond technique only

Sasoi – (waza) “draw attention”

Saya biki – movement of scabbard

Saya no uchi no kachi – saya/scabbard, uchi/inside, kachi/victory. Winning without drawing sword

Sayu-Dome – (kata) stop the left and right

Sei – motionless, inactive

Seigan – natural step, fundamental kamae

Seitei – basic, fundamental. seitei gata, fundamental techniques (kata)

Seiza – kneeling on both calves

Seme – pressure

Seme te – pushing hand; pressing forward with the blade

Semeru – pressing forward

Semeru – push, press

Sen – initiative, to forestall

Sen no waza (sen) – strike faster than opponent, before attack delivered

SeNuki-Battou – (waza) draw sword from back

Sen sen no waza (sen no sen) – strike as opponent commits to an attack but before he moves

Shibori – wringing/twisting the hands inward over the handle on the cut

Shi-Ho-Giri – (waza) cutting four directions

Shinken – (waza) “Real sword (serious sword)”

Shito kokyu – one breath

Shomen – straight ahead

Shomen uchi – strike on front of head

Shu ha ri – keep, break, leave; memorize technique, question and understand, forget technique

Sok-ko – (waza) sideway

Suburi – cutting practice on the air

Sui-Getsu – (waza) “moon on the water”

Sune gakoi – block to protect the leg (shin)

Sure-Chigai – (waza) passing each other

Suri ashi – sliding foot

Tachi-Sugata – (waza) standing posture

Tai sabaki – body motions. Tai body. Sabaki movement

10Taito – putting sword into belt

Tameshi-giri – live cutting practice

Tate noto – standing noto, blade replaced with edge facing up

Ten-Chi – (waza) “heaven and earth” (up and down)

Te no uchi – grip on sword with fingers pulling into palm

Tsuba uke – receive sword attack with a tsuba

Tsuka ate – defensive hit with tsuka to tsuka

Tsuka-Gaeshi – (waza) Return the tsuka

Tsuka Nukitsuke Batto – hit with tsuka while drawing sword.

Tsuka-Otoshi – (waza) drop the tsuka (to stop opponents strike)

Tsuke Tachi – front kamaeru

Tsuki – thrust

Tsuki-Kage – (waza) “moonlight”

Uchi – strike

Uchi Tachi – bring sword to right tip up - kamaeru

Uke-Nagashi – receive an attack on sword and deflect

Ura-Omote – (waza) Rear and front (both)

Waki-Gamae – (waza) aside posture

Waza – technique

Yari-Sabaki – (waza) tackle yari attack

Yoko chiburi – horizontal chiburi, move to the side

Yokomen uchi – strike on side of head

Yukuri – slow

Yuru yaka ni – smooth

Zanshin – awareness, watchfulness, "lingering heart"

REIHO (Etiquette)

Dojo nai no kokoru-mochi – spirit in the dojo:

. Clear the darkness in your mind before entering the do-jo

. Obtain the spirit of willing obedience

. Respect to your sensei and behave respectfully to others

. Neaten the uniform, re-collect your mind and be silent in the do-jo

Hajime – beginning (begin)

Joseki ni rei – bow to the high section of the dojo

Kamiza ni rei – bow to kamiza (gods)

Otagai ni rei – bow to each other

Owari No Saho – finishing etiquette

Rei – bow

Reiho – etiquette, method of bowing

Sempai ni rei – bow to assistant instructor/s

Sensei ni rei – bow to teacher(s)

Shihan ni rei – bow to the master

Shinzen ni rei – bow to shrine

Tachi rei – standing bow

To rei – bowing to sword

11Za rei – kneeling bow

INSTRUCTION OR SPOKEN ETIQUETTE IN DO-JO – Dame – “Not like that, wrong”

Domo arigato gozaimasu – “Thank you very much” (very formal)

Dozo – “Please go ahead”

Hai – “Yes”

Hajime – “Start”

Hayaku – “Quickly”

Heta – “Unskillful, poorly done”

Iie – “No”

Jozu – “Skillful”

Junbitaiso O Hajimemasu – “Begin warm-up”

Katana O Mote – “Get your sword(s)”

Kiritsu – “Stand up”

Kiyotsukete – “Be careful”

Mate – “Wait”

Mokuso – “Close the eyes”: meditation

Owari ma shō – “Let’s finish”

Owari – “Stop what you are doing and pay attention”: next waza (Shihan)

Seiza – “Sit down”

Suburi – “Cutting practice on air”

Sumimasen – “Excuse me” (to attract attention)

Yame – “Stop”; the command to stop immediately

12PART 2

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iaido Association of NSW

Written Test – Ko-hai

Name – Date –

1. What does the word Iaido mean?

2. What is the name of the Iaido tradition that you are studying?

3. What is its country of origin?

4. Who is the head of the Australian Association and where is he located?

5. What is a place of training called?

6. What is the title of a teacher?

7. What is the title of head student?

8. What is the terminology for:

- bow to the shrine of your ‘god/s’

- bow to the sword

- bow to the master

- bow to the teacher

- bow to each other

- formal sitting

- stand up

- bend the knees

- begin

- stop what you are doing immediately

9. What is a wooden training sword called?

10. What is a training sword called?

11. What is a live blade called?

12. What does Kiritsuke mean?

13. What does Nukitsuke mean?

1314. What does Chiburi mean?

15. What does Noto mean?

16. What is Ma-Ai?

17. What is Metsuke?

18. Why do we kiai?

19. What are the four points of understanding involved in the term Dojo nai no kokoru-mochi?

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16. What is the name of the wide cloth belt worn with the uniform?

17. What is a uniform called?

18. What are the traditional pants worn for training Iaido?

19. Write the names of the wazas (katas) that you have experienced so far:

20. What is the terminology for energy/life-force/inner power/power of spirit?

21. What is Mushin?

22. What is Zanshin?

23. What is Bushido?

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