PUBLIC MARKS with tags grade & iaido

book called “Iaido shinsahin no me”. This book edited by the “Kendo Jidai” publisher is a compilation of 15x ZNKR 8th Dan Hanshi sensei’s opinions on what are the important points needed for shinsa, embu and taikai. It is of course written in Japanese and will probably not be translated, so we decided to start a very rough translation of some parts. The book is separated into fifteen parts, one for each sensei and each part separated into a 2 points and three chapters …

For Ogura Sensei, those who quit Iaido when they fail a promotional exam may have the wrong goal. Of course, it is crucial for disciples to work hard, trying to gain mastery of physical movements and pass a grading, but Iaido is much more than technical proficiency, he remarked. Simply stated, the essential core value of Iaido is about cultivating oneself and becoming a better being, entailing daily commitment, eagerness, and perseverance. The essence of Iaido or the spirit of mononofu (meaning “all what relates to being a samurai”) is to acquire a harmonious spirit and to learn about respect and consideration for others.

What a pleasure it was to attend the 2009 CKF iaido and jodo gradings at the Etobicoke Olympium in Ontario, Canada. The day began with an over-subscribed iaido seminar featuring instruction by Ohmi Goyo sensei, Asaoka Mitsuru sensei, Stephen Cruise sensei, David Green sensei (and myself). That's four nanadan and a rokudan for the 50 to 60 students who attended. The seminar began with a group run-through of Zen Ken Ren iai (seitei gata) and then the students were split into their challenge groups, ikkyu, shodan, nidan and sandan, and yondan up to receive some specific training.