Yes, it's unfortunate that when some people put vids like this together they don't bother learning the proper pronunciation of important names and terms. I remember having the original VHS tape of the 1st UFC and one of the commentators kept calling Sumo= Soomoo 😡
It looks like some mass-produced content for 12-year-olds who just want to know who's cooler. They probably don't bother with fact-checking, even in pronunciation.
Guys, I just visited Kyoto for the first time last week and as Shogo’s viewer for 3 years, I chose the 勇进流 Dojo for the 2 hour Iaido experience. It was better than I expected and so much fun. It was the highlight of my 1st trip to Kyoto and Japan.
I did kendo and iaido both for15 years, you need kendo to develop timing and reflexes- and later I sparred from guys from Inosanto's JKD a stick vs escrima, and I easily defeated them- I even told them, I will attack your wrists and they were unable to block/parry any of the strikes. It takes years to develop instantaneous blocking skills...
I'm ni-kyu in kendo, and whenever someone did a men, and i wasn't paying attention or in general, if i was caught off guard with a men, my immediate response was a kaishi-dō
@@outboundflight4455 but also remember: 'I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.'
@@samaeru666 I would agree to this but the problem with Kendo, which I do practice in, is the slight lack of practicality. It's not the correct tenouchi for a nihonto and even less the way would strike say in a battle or duel. Can you cut someone with Kendo technique, yes but will it be a killing blow?..not always. That's why the more koryu or kenjutsu aspect intercedes.
Well, a wrist hit, or even a head hit but with proper helmet could not ensure you incapacitated your enemy (I use enemy in case you are in a street fight). And, a throat hit most likely will get you to the court later. That is why kendo is not practical, even when it help developing your reaction speed. After all, it still is a sport.
There might be another connection between Iaido and Eskrima. It has been said that, during the late 1500s, there were more than a few Filipino dockworkers in Japan (I'm still researching). It has also been said that the renowned founder of the Niten Ichi Ryu, Miyamoto Musashi, spent time with said workers hanging out on the docks. It is believed that Musashi learned something of the "two sword" style of the native Filipinos and (successfully) incorporated it into his art. If true, that would mean that the Spaniards influenced the Filipinos and the Filipinos influenced the Japanese (through Musashi). The Japanese sword arts and the Filipino sword/blade arts just might be more related than we all think!
What lead of evidence do you have or read that Musashi incorporated Filipino martial arts into Niten Ichi Ryu. Genuinely interested to know since most of Musashis life is myth.
Love your content Shogo, I’ve trained in the martial arts most of my life. i’ve always been fascinated with the katana and the samurai for many reasons and I love learning from the content you share. Keep it up, man
About starting Iaido with a bokken, I won't speak for what's common in Japan. But I've never seen somebody in the US start with an Iaito. It's not because it's not recommended. But an Iaito is a substantial investment most people aren't ready to make immediatly. And even if they are ready right away, they would then need to order one from Japan and wait for it to arrive, which takes some time. In the meantime, other members of the dojo will have spare bokken readily available. Of course though, if an Iaito is readily available from day 1, beginners are free, and even encouraged to start using them. I just don't think this is common outside of Japan.
Why would you need to order an iaito specifically from Japan? In the US you can buy all kinds of swords made all over the world. Some are made from a piece bar stock and shaped others are hand forged, some are through hardened while others might have differential hardening Some are tempered, others are not. Some are made from just stainless steel while others are made from various types of high carbon steel. Aside from tradition, what reason is there to buy an iaito from Japan then?
@@Riceball01 Because iaito are not made from steel at all, they're made from unsharpenable zinc alloys for training purposes. You can buy cheap swords from all over the world, but those are not meant for training iaido are are actually dangerous to train with. Japan is both where iaido originates and where most practitioners are located, so it makes sense that they have the correct type of sword available.
Iaito can be bought in the US for reasonable prices and quality varies, just as they do with Iaito from Japan. I’ve seen them cost as low as $60 and as high as $3,000. But you get what you pay for. In my former dojo, we used bokken for sparring and our Iaito’s for all other solo, non-sparring training. Not sure how correct that is, as the dojo was not all that “official” or “genuine”, which is why I stopped training there. In search of another Iaido and Kenjutsu school now.
@@Riceball01 Well, when I bought my first one over a decade ago, it boiled down to "this is what sensei recommended." You can get a new one from somewhere like eBogu, which should be acceptable, but my particular sensei didn't have a high opinion of them. That's a $575+ option currently. You could try your luck with the used market, which is something of a crap shoot. I certainly haven't looked a the super cheap options myself. My impression is that most would be unsafe for frequent training.
One of the last clips shown was a Mugai-Ryū kempo no kata, which is interesting to me. I train Mugai-Ryū. I know there are documented cases of Mugai-Ryū kata being used successfully in duels from the Edo period. As you mentioned at the end of video, it’s important to understand the history of the school itself, what your teachers are passing down, and your reasons for training. I do kendo, seitei iai, and two koryū. You’re always going to get more historical value, more combat value from the koryū sensei because they have access to that history
Given the inaccuracies in the video you were watching when it talked about iaido, I have to assume that the information regarding eskrima was likewise unreliable.
Awesome video as always Shogo. I always enjoy watching your videos and learning all interesting things about Japanese Swordsmanship keep up the great work.
Glad you’re still making videos. My journey just started I just fell in love with katanas a few months ago! I’ve watched many of your videos. Thank you.
His hair appears in the video. In fact, since Shogo is in the video, basically anything about him would be related to the video. To be completely unrelated to the video, you should try telling him a story about one of your pets. But your pets are in the same universe as Shogo and this video too. Can anything ever really be completely unrelated to anything? I give you like a 3 out of 10 for lack of relation to the video. I can make a comment much more completely unrelated very easily.
Hi Shogo, Thank you for this discussing the historical relevance of iaido. I have been a practitioner of Iaijutsu for more than a decade (and other sword arts), but started out with Iaido 32 years ago, and while I was aware that Iaido had evolved from Iaijutsu following the Meiji Restoration, I still learned some new information from this video. It would be great if you could do a longer video detailing the development and historical context of Iaijutsu (居合術) or Battōjutsu (抜刀術, battō-jutsu from Kenjutsu and how Iaido evolved from Iaijutsu and how Iaido differs from Iaijutsu. Having studied both Iaijutsu and Iaido, they seem to me to be superficially the same, with the primary differences being intent and objective.
There are three basic aspects to Asian martial arts: 1. art-form for the perfection of character 2. combat/self-defense 3. sport (to check self-efficacy and to "test" yourself). Of the three, "art-form for the perfection of character" is BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT. Sport is a fun past-time and it's nice to know "where you stand" compared to others. Combat/self-defense is THE LEAST IMPORTANT for most people in America. You just aren't going to walk around "fighting" other people (either empty-handed or with weapons) for very long and stay out of jail. However, YOU ALWAYS HAVE ROOM FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT! Thus, using something like iaido (or ee-yah-doh) as a vehicle for self-improvement has great value in today's society.
Thank you. I think I have a much, much better understanding of iaido now, and how it differs from kenjutsu. BTW, I would love it if you made a video about all the different types of Japanese martial arts. I know it’s probably too difficult, but I just know you would do an awesome job. Thanks again for the awesome content.
Thank you for taking a stand on the hypocrisy of the marketed nature of Japanese arts, like Iaido. Very glad to see you moving forward from the accepted narrative and speaking on the greater picture.
A most interesting insight and analysis Shogo san! 'Eee-yarrr-do' is the pirate version probably! 😁 Here in England, due to regulations regarding purchasing Iaito, new students will start with the bokken. Insurance limitations would preclude use of katana in the Dojo, though we use sharp bladed shinken for Tameshigiri of course, and Bokken for kenjitsu kata. Once committed to the art after a number of keiko sessions, and having tried a dojo-owned Iaito, of course a new student would wish to buy their own Iaito! But here one has to produce documentation or evidence that one is a Bona-fide student of the art at point of purchase. Bizarrely this is not the case if you wish to buy a shinken (sharp edged katana type), if it has been 'manufactured using traditional methods' according to our laws. This may change soon as a reaction to a recent terrible attack in London in which the perpetrator killed a 14 year-old schoolboy and severely injured 3 others using what appears to be a 'wall-hanger' Japanese-style weapon. Legitimate students fear that possession of swords of any type may be outlawed in future here.
Calling Iaito as a dedicated martial art is like calling pistol quick draw as an all-encompasing technique for gun fights. The misconception, as you mentioned, is the fault of advertising, media and entertainment that have microscoped on this one aspect and spread the misconception. Your frank and honest attitude and pricipals are much appreciated.
i don't know, shogo. -practicality, for what purpose? if it's for fight, yes, it's impractical. but for sheathing-unsheathing sword, it's very practical. it's like practicing how to draw gun in many scenarios. -martial art, which category of it? you have health/art, combat sports, self defense, and security/military categories. iaido can be considered martial art with health/art focus. it can be lumped together with battodo, aikido, modern wushu etc
As a Polish person, I exactly feel your pain. One of our traditional foods that's popular around the world and especially in the United States is kielbasa. Which is pronounced KEY-BAH-SAY. Particularly with Texan accents in America I'm constantly having to make the joke along with my family of "I have no idea who is this BASA guy and why everyone's trying to kill him". 😅
I am a trainee from Niten (an institution in which we train Jojutsu, Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu). Particularly, I train Jojutsu and Iai. In Niten, we start training with wooden swords (Bokuto, not Bokken) but we are made aware that in Japan that would be frowned upon (It is recommended to get an Iaito ASAP after you start understanding the art, or going from 0 kyu to 7th kyu).
@@teflondrunk it's similar to how belts work. "0 kyu" is just a way to say that someone just started. Then it goes from 7th to 1st and goes into "dan"'s
When I started learning karate-do it helped me be calmer when dealing with other people. I see no reason iaido should not help a person to be better equipped to deal with the world. It gives you peace internally which lets you focus better and keep yourself more alert to what's happening around you. That alone is worth the training and lumps you get while doing so heheheh. It doesn't so much change you as to get rid of some of the "noise" a person has inside their own selves.
I'm not really looking for another martial art, but if someone near me was a legit Iaido teacher, I would like to try it just for the mental focus aspects.
As soon as someone says 'Which martial art is better?' I pretty much tune out after six disciplines and over twenty years combined. Eskrima is similar to other arts where peasants or common people were no longer allowed to carry weapons, usually after wars, and in some places not allowed to practice fighting arts so they got modified into dances, such as Brazilian Capoeira. I think that the narrator mixed up Iaido, Kenjutsu, and Bushido. I studied some Kenjutsu under Ninjota (Westernized military subset), but Iaido was not part of it.
As an inheritor of the Yagyu Seigo Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, and the Owarikan Ryu from the Shunpunkan in Nagoya, I completely agree with Shogo-san's opinions. There are tons of misinformation about iaido, and Japanese martial arts in general. While we can practice kata day in and out, the real merit of a warrior is tested in the battlefield. Any warrior of any martial art style is useless unless they have experience. Unrestricted sparring was important for my training because as Shogo-san said, you will not be using them in an actual fight. As one of my masters once said, "a boxer is not a boxer until they gain experience from the ring. They are just an aerobic boxer. Swinging a stick does not make you a warrior. Feel the end of my spear smashing into your chest, and your fear will motivate you to improve so that pain will not be felt again."
Muy buena revisión, y si, es cierto lo que dices con respecto al "arte marcial" del Iai, la gente olvida el propósito original de las cosas y las eras que vivieron los que las crearon.
Watching Eskrima reminded me of another Philippines martial arts Kali which gained fame in Japan during the run of the Japanese drama and movie series SP (Security Police) starring Okada Junichi who was trained in using a stick in fight scenes. As for Iaido, my personal thoughts on this was that it was more of a sudden death duel style where you used your Ki to cut down your opponent in a single strike as an ideal, doesn't always happen, certainly not a whack-a-mole of striking and parrying Western style. That Rurouni Kenshin clip is fun to watch but is a modern movie choreography because Sato Takeru was incorporating his break dancing skills into the fight. I think the advent of theater and tv/movies has made the katana fighting a lot longer than would have been realistic, when a fight between 2 people would be over very quickly with one person killed or seriously injured. With the Edo period, I wonder if Iaido training would have been put to use during a seppuku ritual where the kaishakunin would assist the person committing suicide by decapitating in one stroke slicing the head halfway cutting the cervical spine but leaving the skin at the front of the neck uncut so the head doesn't roll off the body, a skill with a lot of control and strength but not a fighting maneuver.
as a very new student to Itto-Ryu, I just don't understand allot of the flare in some other forms of martial arts. I deliberated between Iaido and Kenjutsu, and fell on Kenjutsu due to the combat element involved. personally I'd love to do some sparing with Itto-Ryu, based on the Kata ive learned so far, but from what I understand, Kendo is the closest martial art that allows for sparring, being that Itto-Ryu relies on Onagote for training. Im not entirely sure though, as i've only been studying for about 2 months
It's fun to hear Shogo explain all these various aspects of Iai techniques. The video by BrutalTV is embarrassing on so many levels IMO, what with the poor pronunciation, poor audio quality and the need to compare two arts instead of appreciating each of them in their own cultural context.
this is a fantastic video and its great in the comments people understand. Iaido same as other styles such as aikido etc are not martial art, they are styles created from waza. to be effective as a fighter you have to learn lots of techniques. Over the years lots of people only practice a few or even only one technique making their style look ineffective in a real fight when in fact, they are perfecting an import part of fighting.
Old Mcdonald had a farm...EE-EYE, EE-EYE, OH! EE-EYE DOH! It's a common written word verse spoken word problem. I try to understand the problem rather than strain a nerve rolling my eyes at it!
The pronunciation problem of I-A-I-DO might emerge from the AI generated narration. For me, the reviewed video had its narration generated by AI software. Since the AI voice model used is to generate English narration, having incorrect pronunciation of Japanese words is basically inevitable.
Eskrima is really fun and has its merits. But comparing it to Iaido is like saying a race car could beat a dressage horse in the Indy 500. Totally different goals imo. Also no disrespect to BrutalTV but their video reminded me a lot of old Spike TV strongest warrior type shows.
Empires and other top-down rulers always want their subjects disarmed. The Japanese may have taken the advice from the British on that, which would likely have been suggested to eventually make it easier for Britain to colonize Japan.
Sticks and knives are far inferior weapons to swords. Hence why throughout all of history they were only used by people who had no access to proper weapons.
Iaido (as a budo) not being a martial art is a strong take. Would you consider Kyudo a martial art? What's your definition of a martial art? Back in the day there was discussion to distinguish a martial art from a martial sport, but this seems different.
It isn't a martial art, but it is a martial paintbrush. It asks, can you handle your tool competently? Like there are many painterly art styles (baroque, impressionistic, cubism, etc), but they were all painted using the same brush. With some time, I could recreate those styles digitally today, but if you threw me a canvas and some oil paint right now, I wouldn't be able to make anything at all. Give me a sword and I might be able to hurt someone. Sneak up on me when I'm sipping tea. Even if the sword was already at my side, I'd be helpless.
The voice of the video that you are watching...its frustrating. It sounds like the entire presentation is almost sarcastic. Or like when a child tries to mimic a wrestling announcer; the tonality doesn't fit whats actually being said, and more chosen based on the position in the sentence. Thank you for your inputs on this. Its very interesting.
Still, the video was not that bad. I thought there will be some cringy confrontation in fighting. At least it seemed like creator had respect for both martial arts, which is not often a case when comparing empty handed martial arts.
Have you every cut yourself whilst practising Iaido? I could think there are few cooks or carpenters who have never cut themselves and I am certainly in that number having done myself a nasty injury requiring surgery in the course of my wood carving. What all arts, martial or otherwise must have in common is respect for the tools and what they can do if they are misused. I expect any fool can draw a sword quickly, but how many fingers they have left afterwards is another matter
I'm sure part of the reason of this video is to be controversial. I think to say that Iaido is not a martial art is very disrespectful to its students. The "Art" part applies to Iaido more than most. Often the line between Martial Art and Sport is blurred, with Iaido the line is clear.
The comparison makes no sense. Iaido is simply practicing sword drawing. Once you start fighting, it’s no longer iaido. It’s like complaining that doing yoga doesn’t teach you to play football even though practicing yoga has cross training benefits.
As a JKD (Jeet Kune Do) and FMA (Filipino martial arts) practitioner, I did train in Kenpo for three years. And my sensei from Japan had also taught me basic bokken jutsu, and it was fun learning the Japanese martial arts. And yes I like about Iaido, because it about learning how to draw with the sword and preserving the culture.
Small moments that can be life changing need inlightenment before a undesirable or inforced crulty inquinty or wickedness.soundedness in Harmony is most important in free life living being in intuition for inocent spirit living among people & fore ours in well being eternity now forever.
Most of the video clips used are just so hokey! Escrima (also Arnis & Kali) have numerous family styles - presenting it as some sort of homogeneous art does such a great disservice. They also have a one-handed bladed weapon that resembles a machete. Also some styles have a staff of sorts akin to the rokushaku-bo. The difference between kenjutsu & iaijutsu/iaido is the use of the saya in draw-cuts & resheathing. We do not use bokken (actually bokuto) for beginners - it's not iaido without a saya!. I find the ZNKR 'rule' to wait until 5-dan to use a katana (I am dan-ranked in ZNKR iaido) ridiculous - in the schools of batto-do (again, I am dan-ranked) I do, we restrict katana use in kata training (competitions do not allow them at all), we begin tameshigiri training early. Tests for dan-ranks do have specific cutting requirements. By the time you are mid-dan ranked, you would have had enough training in tameshigiri to be comfortable (mindful & respectful) using a katana. Around this time we are also doing draw-cuts on tatami! I disagree with your assertion that iaido is not a martial art; I do agree that it is not a practical one for post-samurai times. Likewise, there is the old adage that iaido & kendo were like 2 wheels joined by a common axle (for the record, I did both). My former iaido & kendo instructor had everyone do Kendo-no-Kata in order to be aware of pair practices so iaido only students would not get stuck into thinking solo kata timing was all there was.
Iaido or Seitei Iaido. Aka Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido is not meant to be practical. After the Japanese lost WWII the Japanese conserved their martial arts as tradition and culture. Thus, the purpose of practicing martial arts became not for the method of warfare but for cultivation of mind, body, and spirit.
the iai x kenjutsu discussion isn't the same as "self-defense x fighting"? The Iai techniques seem more like a method of self-defense to use in Edo period. Kenjutsu looks more like for duels or warfare and such. Self-defense, duels and warfare techniques are not the same.
There is also the matter that iai has been heavily ritualized from the more practical period battojutsu, similarly to how modern kendo has been heavily sportified relative to its predecessor as training intended for real world application of armed violence. That said, I similarly contend kenjutsu is really more of general swordsmanship and iai specifically a supplementaly self-defense discipline that is an addition rather than replacement for kenjutsu.
I study kenjutsu it would've been a much better comparison against eskrima which is a battle martial art unlike iaido as you stated. Great reaction video though shogo
Waiting until 5th Dan to start practicing with real weapons in Iaido is a luxury. Eskrima is a martial art that prepares people for combat, and other martial art systems are in similar thinking. The two really aren’t in the same approach to attaining the art. Mr. Shogo has an astute observation there in showcasing intention. The rest of us have to learn to handle real weapons ASAP, because we are training to perform under combat conditions. Yes it is dangerous, I have several scars from training with real knives or machetes, but it’s a necessity. Iaido is still a beautiful system for what it is intended. Just not what people think it is.
Made from Spanish Fencing techniques?? Heck, no... Eskrima/Kali have been developed through tribal warfare and constant invasions, possibly going back to the warring states period or further. The source video is whack.
Yes, it's unfortunate that when some people put vids like this together they don't bother learning the proper pronunciation of important names and terms. I remember having the original VHS tape of the 1st UFC and one of the commentators kept calling Sumo= Soomoo 😡
Ikr
It should be more common for people to think to gain access to information from a direct source. Makes a ton of sense.
It looks like some mass-produced content for 12-year-olds who just want to know who's cooler.
They probably don't bother with fact-checking, even in pronunciation.
Keep in mind many videos are AI voiced or people that have trouble pronouncing words
Guys, I just visited Kyoto for the first time last week and as Shogo’s viewer for 3 years, I chose the 勇进流 Dojo for the 2 hour Iaido experience. It was better than I expected and so much fun. It was the highlight of my 1st trip to Kyoto and Japan.
We've trained there before - lovely dojo
Going to Japan myself with friends next year, we all really hope Shogo will keep interpreting lessons by then so we can do the training.
I did kendo and iaido both for15 years, you need kendo to develop timing and reflexes- and later I sparred from guys from Inosanto's JKD a stick vs escrima, and I easily defeated them- I even told them, I will attack your wrists and they were unable to block/parry any of the strikes. It takes years to develop instantaneous blocking skills...
I'm ni-kyu in kendo, and whenever someone did a men, and i wasn't paying attention or in general, if i was caught off guard with a men, my immediate response was a kaishi-dō
Remember if you are going to apply Kendo technique you're beholden to just 3 targets
@@outboundflight4455 but also remember: 'I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.'
@@samaeru666 I would agree to this but the problem with Kendo, which I do practice in, is the slight lack of practicality. It's not the correct tenouchi for a nihonto and even less the way would strike say in a battle or duel. Can you cut someone with Kendo technique, yes but will it be a killing blow?..not always. That's why the more koryu or kenjutsu aspect intercedes.
Well, a wrist hit, or even a head hit but with proper helmet could not ensure you incapacitated your enemy (I use enemy in case you are in a street fight).
And, a throat hit most likely will get you to the court later.
That is why kendo is not practical, even when it help developing your reaction speed. After all, it still is a sport.
There might be another connection between Iaido and Eskrima. It has been said that, during the late 1500s, there were more than a few Filipino dockworkers in Japan (I'm still researching). It has also been said that the renowned founder of the Niten Ichi Ryu, Miyamoto Musashi, spent time with said workers hanging out on the docks. It is believed that Musashi learned something of the "two sword" style of the native Filipinos and (successfully) incorporated it into his art. If true, that would mean that the Spaniards influenced the Filipinos and the Filipinos influenced the Japanese (through Musashi). The Japanese sword arts and the Filipino sword/blade arts just might be more related than we all think!
What lead of evidence do you have or read that Musashi incorporated Filipino martial arts into Niten Ichi Ryu. Genuinely interested to know since most of Musashis life is myth.
@@outboundflight4455 I believe it was in "Code of the Warrior" by Rick Fields but I can't remember where in the book. Excellent read btw.
Uh, the Spaniards didn't influence Eskrima.
Eskrima has been around far before the Spaniards came.
Loving the hair Shogo San
Can't hold myself laughing on first one, on pronouncing the word of "Iaido" XD
*"IADO"*
Love your content Shogo, I’ve trained in the martial arts most of my life. i’ve always been fascinated with the katana and the samurai for many reasons and I love learning from the content you share. Keep it up, man
About starting Iaido with a bokken, I won't speak for what's common in Japan. But I've never seen somebody in the US start with an Iaito.
It's not because it's not recommended. But an Iaito is a substantial investment most people aren't ready to make immediatly. And even if they are ready right away, they would then need to order one from Japan and wait for it to arrive, which takes some time.
In the meantime, other members of the dojo will have spare bokken readily available.
Of course though, if an Iaito is readily available from day 1, beginners are free, and even encouraged to start using them. I just don't think this is common outside of Japan.
Why would you need to order an iaito specifically from Japan? In the US you can buy all kinds of swords made all over the world. Some are made from a piece bar stock and shaped others are hand forged, some are through hardened while others might have differential hardening Some are tempered, others are not. Some are made from just stainless steel while others are made from various types of high carbon steel. Aside from tradition, what reason is there to buy an iaito from Japan then?
Similar situation here in England too, regarding use of bokken for new students.
@@Riceball01 Because iaito are not made from steel at all, they're made from unsharpenable zinc alloys for training purposes. You can buy cheap swords from all over the world, but those are not meant for training iaido are are actually dangerous to train with. Japan is both where iaido originates and where most practitioners are located, so it makes sense that they have the correct type of sword available.
Iaito can be bought in the US for reasonable prices and quality varies, just as they do with Iaito from Japan. I’ve seen them cost as low as $60 and as high as $3,000. But you get what you pay for. In my former dojo, we used bokken for sparring and our Iaito’s for all other solo, non-sparring training. Not sure how correct that is, as the dojo was not all that “official” or “genuine”, which is why I stopped training there. In search of another Iaido and Kenjutsu school now.
@@Riceball01 Well, when I bought my first one over a decade ago, it boiled down to "this is what sensei recommended."
You can get a new one from somewhere like eBogu, which should be acceptable, but my particular sensei didn't have a high opinion of them. That's a $575+ option currently.
You could try your luck with the used market, which is something of a crap shoot.
I certainly haven't looked a the super cheap options myself. My impression is that most would be unsafe for frequent training.
One of the last clips shown was a Mugai-Ryū kempo no kata, which is interesting to me. I train Mugai-Ryū. I know there are documented cases of Mugai-Ryū kata being used successfully in duels from the Edo period. As you mentioned at the end of video, it’s important to understand the history of the school itself, what your teachers are passing down, and your reasons for training. I do kendo, seitei iai, and two koryū. You’re always going to get more historical value, more combat value from the koryū sensei because they have access to that history
Given the inaccuracies in the video you were watching when it talked about iaido, I have to assume that the information regarding eskrima was likewise unreliable.
Oh it very much is.
*IAdo
Awesome video as always Shogo. I always enjoy watching your videos and learning all interesting things about Japanese Swordsmanship keep up the great work.
Glad you’re still making videos. My journey just started I just fell in love with katanas a few months ago! I’ve watched many of your videos. Thank you.
Your knowledge here is very thorough! Super informative video! This is nice, thank you!
Completely unrelated to the video itself, but your hair looks great Shogo!
His hair appears in the video. In fact, since Shogo is in the video, basically anything about him would be related to the video. To be completely unrelated to the video, you should try telling him a story about one of your pets. But your pets are in the same universe as Shogo and this video too. Can anything ever really be completely unrelated to anything? I give you like a 3 out of 10 for lack of relation to the video. I can make a comment much more completely unrelated very easily.
@@nicholaslogan6840 I do not care
Iaido is also about efficiency and perfection being able to draw and slash in milliseconds can be very useful at any moment
There was an ancient martial art called the "Genovese stick" used to protect people in areas where they could not bring swords.
Hi Shogo,
Thank you for this discussing the historical relevance of iaido. I have been a practitioner of Iaijutsu for more than a decade (and other sword arts), but started out with Iaido 32 years ago, and while I was aware that Iaido had evolved from Iaijutsu following the Meiji Restoration, I still learned some new information from this video. It would be great if you could do a longer video detailing the development and historical context of Iaijutsu (居合術) or Battōjutsu (抜刀術, battō-jutsu from Kenjutsu and how Iaido evolved from Iaijutsu and how Iaido differs from Iaijutsu. Having studied both Iaijutsu and Iaido, they seem to me to be superficially the same, with the primary differences being intent and objective.
Thank You for this new video . 😊
There are three basic aspects to Asian martial arts:
1. art-form for the perfection of character
2. combat/self-defense
3. sport (to check self-efficacy and to "test" yourself).
Of the three, "art-form for the perfection of character" is BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT.
Sport is a fun past-time and it's nice to know "where you stand" compared to others.
Combat/self-defense is THE LEAST IMPORTANT for most people in America.
You just aren't going to walk around "fighting" other people (either empty-handed or with weapons) for very long and stay out of jail.
However, YOU ALWAYS HAVE ROOM FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT!
Thus, using something like iaido (or ee-yah-doh) as a vehicle for self-improvement has great value in today's society.
Thank you for your videos.
I love the kimono. And your tact. You’re always polite. Thanks for this reaction. 😎
The first clup of Spanish Destreza shown here is from a rather old video of my teacher, Puck Curtis.
Thank you. I think I have a much, much better understanding of iaido now, and how it differs from kenjutsu. BTW, I would love it if you made a video about all the different types of Japanese martial arts. I know it’s probably too difficult, but I just know you would do an awesome job. Thanks again for the awesome content.
oh i missed this channel!
You are a gracious man
Thank you for the share of history and in knowledge of the arts
I loved your insight about Japanese martial arts preservation with jo and kenkakiseru. also thanks for the pronunciation!
Eskrima is a well rounded martial arts and it won't take you forever to master it, in kali anything can be weapon .
Thank you for taking a stand on the hypocrisy of the marketed nature of Japanese arts, like Iaido. Very glad to see you moving forward from the accepted narrative and speaking on the greater picture.
Great video as usual.
Still can't get over how dope your hair looks since coming back from the break.
That's an interesting pattern on that kimono
I love your content you have made me try to get and learn how to use a katana
A most interesting insight and analysis Shogo san!
'Eee-yarrr-do' is the pirate version probably! 😁
Here in England, due to regulations regarding purchasing Iaito, new students will start with the bokken. Insurance limitations would preclude use of katana in the Dojo, though we use sharp bladed shinken for Tameshigiri of course, and Bokken for kenjitsu kata. Once committed to the art after a number of keiko sessions, and having tried a dojo-owned Iaito, of course a new student would wish to buy their own Iaito! But here one has to produce documentation or evidence that one is a Bona-fide student of the art at point of purchase. Bizarrely this is not the case if you wish to buy a shinken (sharp edged katana type), if it has been 'manufactured using traditional methods' according to our laws.
This may change soon as a reaction to a recent terrible attack in London in which the perpetrator killed a 14 year-old schoolboy and severely injured 3 others using what appears to be a 'wall-hanger' Japanese-style weapon. Legitimate students fear that possession of swords of any type may be outlawed in future here.
Calling Iaito as a dedicated martial art is like calling pistol quick draw as an all-encompasing technique for gun fights. The misconception, as you mentioned, is the fault of advertising, media and entertainment that have microscoped on this one aspect and spread the misconception.
Your frank and honest attitude and pricipals are much appreciated.
Ok today in class everyone gets a real sword and will commence fighting to the death. Hajime! 😂
🥋 USO 🥋 Respect and Greetings from the Netherlands
i don't know, shogo.
-practicality, for what purpose? if it's for fight, yes, it's impractical. but for sheathing-unsheathing sword, it's very practical. it's like practicing how to draw gun in many scenarios.
-martial art, which category of it? you have health/art, combat sports, self defense, and security/military categories. iaido can be considered martial art with health/art focus. it can be lumped together with battodo, aikido, modern wushu etc
As a Polish person, I exactly feel your pain. One of our traditional foods that's popular around the world and especially in the United States is kielbasa. Which is pronounced KEY-BAH-SAY. Particularly with Texan accents in America I'm constantly having to make the joke along with my family of "I have no idea who is this BASA guy and why everyone's trying to kill him". 😅
I am a trainee from Niten (an institution in which we train Jojutsu, Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu). Particularly, I train Jojutsu and Iai.
In Niten, we start training with wooden swords (Bokuto, not Bokken) but we are made aware that in Japan that would be frowned upon (It is recommended to get an Iaito ASAP after you start understanding the art, or going from 0 kyu to 7th kyu).
0 kyu to 7th kyu?
@@teflondrunk it's similar to how belts work. "0 kyu" is just a way to say that someone just started. Then it goes from 7th to 1st and goes into "dan"'s
Don't quite remember how "dan"s are counted, though
Thank you.
Wow very beautiful Kimono you wear great job Sensei.
I think half the reason people wanted you to react to the video is to hear your reaction to the pronunciation. 😆
When I started learning karate-do it helped me be calmer when dealing with other people. I see no reason iaido should not help a person to be better equipped to deal with the world. It gives you peace internally which lets you focus better and keep yourself more alert to what's happening around you. That alone is worth the training and lumps you get while doing so heheheh. It doesn't so much change you as to get rid of some of the "noise" a person has inside their own selves.
Eskrima vs Kenjutsu would be more interesting comparison.
Best way for someone to purchase a Katana that'll be a proper fit for them when they're outside of japan?
Hiii Shogo-samaaaa!!!!
@LetsaskShogo What is your thoughts on the art of Kintsugi?
I'm not really looking for another martial art, but if someone near me was a legit Iaido teacher, I would like to try it just for the mental focus aspects.
As soon as someone says 'Which martial art is better?' I pretty much tune out after six disciplines and over twenty years combined. Eskrima is similar to other arts where peasants or common people were no longer allowed to carry weapons, usually after wars, and in some places not allowed to practice fighting arts so they got modified into dances, such as Brazilian Capoeira. I think that the narrator mixed up Iaido, Kenjutsu, and Bushido. I studied some Kenjutsu under Ninjota (Westernized military subset), but Iaido was not part of it.
Shogo tell me about where how to use the uniform when practicing iaido and kimono types thanks my friend
As an inheritor of the Yagyu Seigo Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, and the Owarikan Ryu from the Shunpunkan in Nagoya, I completely agree with Shogo-san's opinions.
There are tons of misinformation about iaido, and Japanese martial arts in general.
While we can practice kata day in and out, the real merit of a warrior is tested in the battlefield. Any warrior of any martial art style is useless unless they have experience.
Unrestricted sparring was important for my training because as Shogo-san said, you will not be using them in an actual fight. As one of my masters once said, "a boxer is not a boxer until they gain experience from the ring. They are just an aerobic boxer. Swinging a stick does not make you a warrior. Feel the end of my spear smashing into your chest, and your fear will motivate you to improve so that pain will not be felt again."
can you do a katana collection video
Muy buena revisión, y si, es cierto lo que dices con respecto al "arte marcial" del Iai, la gente olvida el propósito original de las cosas y las eras que vivieron los que las crearon.
It looks like Miyamoto Musashi used both techniques
Watching Eskrima reminded me of another Philippines martial arts Kali which gained fame in Japan during the run of the Japanese drama and movie series SP (Security Police) starring Okada Junichi who was trained in using a stick in fight scenes. As for Iaido, my personal thoughts on this was that it was more of a sudden death duel style where you used your Ki to cut down your opponent in a single strike as an ideal, doesn't always happen, certainly not a whack-a-mole of striking and parrying Western style. That Rurouni Kenshin clip is fun to watch but is a modern movie choreography because Sato Takeru was incorporating his break dancing skills into the fight. I think the advent of theater and tv/movies has made the katana fighting a lot longer than would have been realistic, when a fight between 2 people would be over very quickly with one person killed or seriously injured. With the Edo period, I wonder if Iaido training would have been put to use during a seppuku ritual where the kaishakunin would assist the person committing suicide by decapitating in one stroke slicing the head halfway cutting the cervical spine but leaving the skin at the front of the neck uncut so the head doesn't roll off the body, a skill with a lot of control and strength but not a fighting maneuver.
Shogo did any of the samurai weld the katana with one hand
Fighting from horseback?
Yes
as a very new student to Itto-Ryu, I just don't understand allot of the flare in some other forms of martial arts. I deliberated between Iaido and Kenjutsu, and fell on Kenjutsu due to the combat element involved. personally I'd love to do some sparing with Itto-Ryu, based on the Kata ive learned so far, but from what I understand, Kendo is the closest martial art that allows for sparring, being that Itto-Ryu relies on Onagote for training. Im not entirely sure though, as i've only been studying for about 2 months
It's fun to hear Shogo explain all these various aspects of Iai techniques. The video by BrutalTV is embarrassing on so many levels IMO, what with the poor pronunciation, poor audio quality and the need to compare two arts instead of appreciating each of them in their own cultural context.
this is a fantastic video and its great in the comments people understand. Iaido same as other styles such as aikido etc are not martial art, they are styles created from waza. to be effective as a fighter you have to learn lots of techniques. Over the years lots of people only practice a few or even only one technique making their style look ineffective in a real fight when in fact, they are perfecting an import part of fighting.
I suspect that Eskrima comes from Spanish esgrima, which means fencing.
I know it's a trivial thing, but I love the Gi.
Old Mcdonald had a farm...EE-EYE, EE-EYE, OH! EE-EYE DOH! It's a common written word verse spoken word problem. I try to understand the problem rather than strain a nerve rolling my eyes at it!
I like the kimono. Would that be considered a "traditional" style?
The pronunciation problem of I-A-I-DO might emerge from the AI generated narration.
For me, the reviewed video had its narration generated by AI software. Since the AI voice model used is to generate English narration, having incorrect pronunciation of Japanese words is basically inevitable.
EE-YAH-DOUGH!
BOW-KEN!
EE-YATTOH!
TAMA-SHEEGEEREE!
Basically reverse engrish.
@@domoniquebrooks816 He got very deep on that last one though. I choose to interpret it as 魂切り.
Very nice reality talk about iaido.
Eskrima is really fun and has its merits. But comparing it to Iaido is like saying a race car could beat a dressage horse in the Indy 500. Totally different goals imo.
Also no disrespect to BrutalTV but their video reminded me a lot of old Spike TV strongest warrior type shows.
Empires and other top-down rulers always want their subjects disarmed. The Japanese may have taken the advice from the British on that, which would likely have been suggested to eventually make it easier for Britain to colonize Japan.
Finally, shogo reacts to Escrima, though indirectly.
Hahahaha when he said Iado. I was like oh no…
Great Vidi! very . . .Diplomatic 😎☕💋
Sticks and knives are far inferior weapons to swords.
Hence why throughout all of history they were only used by people who had no access to proper weapons.
Aikido, as Well 🥋☯️
hi there: the words is different is the word is call Arnis not KALI AND I train in bothes.
Please can we see your rarest sword?
Iaido (as a budo) not being a martial art is a strong take. Would you consider Kyudo a martial art? What's your definition of a martial art?
Back in the day there was discussion to distinguish a martial art from a martial sport, but this seems different.
It isn't a martial art, but it is a martial paintbrush. It asks, can you handle your tool competently? Like there are many painterly art styles (baroque, impressionistic, cubism, etc), but they were all painted using the same brush.
With some time, I could recreate those styles digitally today, but if you threw me a canvas and some oil paint right now, I wouldn't be able to make anything at all.
Give me a sword and I might be able to hurt someone. Sneak up on me when I'm sipping tea. Even if the sword was already at my side, I'd be helpless.
Matcha Samurai is going to have alot to say about this!
3:38 I teach HEMA to adults and Olympic fencing to children, but that is certainly the ugliest trust I've ever seen.
i think there is no better martial arts, it depends on the user
This video you're reacting to definitely has an AI-written script and ai-generated narrator
The voice of the video that you are watching...its frustrating. It sounds like the entire presentation is almost sarcastic. Or like when a child tries to mimic a wrestling announcer; the tonality doesn't fit whats actually being said, and more chosen based on the position in the sentence.
Thank you for your inputs on this. Its very interesting.
iaido is standoff part of Ghost of tshushima
Still, the video was not that bad. I thought there will be some cringy confrontation in fighting. At least it seemed like creator had respect for both martial arts, which is not often a case when comparing empty handed martial arts.
Have you every cut yourself whilst practising Iaido? I could think there are few cooks or carpenters who have never cut themselves and I am certainly in that number having done myself a nasty injury requiring surgery in the course of my wood carving. What all arts, martial or otherwise must have in common is respect for the tools and what they can do if they are misused. I expect any fool can draw a sword quickly, but how many fingers they have left afterwards is another matter
I'm sure part of the reason of this video is to be controversial. I think to say that Iaido is not a martial art is very disrespectful to its students. The "Art" part applies to Iaido more than most. Often the line between Martial Art and Sport is blurred, with Iaido the line is clear.
I felt really uncomfortable watching that video from BRUTALTV!
Wow another revelation from real japanese! The more i know!!
The comparison makes no sense. Iaido is simply practicing sword drawing. Once you start fighting, it’s no longer iaido. It’s like complaining that doing yoga doesn’t teach you to play football even though practicing yoga has cross training benefits.
That guys pronunciation is so frustrating 😡
As a JKD (Jeet Kune Do) and FMA (Filipino martial arts) practitioner, I did train in Kenpo for three years. And my sensei from Japan had also taught me basic bokken jutsu, and it was fun learning the Japanese martial arts. And yes I like about Iaido, because it about learning how to draw with the sword and preserving the culture.
Small moments that can be life changing need inlightenment before a undesirable or inforced crulty inquinty or wickedness.soundedness in Harmony is most important in free life living being in intuition for inocent spirit living among people & fore ours in well being eternity now forever.
Most of the video clips used are just so hokey!
Escrima (also Arnis & Kali) have numerous family styles - presenting it as some sort of homogeneous art does such a great disservice. They also have a one-handed bladed weapon that resembles a machete. Also some styles have a staff of sorts akin to the rokushaku-bo.
The difference between kenjutsu & iaijutsu/iaido is the use of the saya in draw-cuts & resheathing. We do not use bokken (actually bokuto) for beginners - it's not iaido without a saya!.
I find the ZNKR 'rule' to wait until 5-dan to use a katana (I am dan-ranked in ZNKR iaido) ridiculous - in the schools of batto-do (again, I am dan-ranked) I do, we restrict katana use in kata training (competitions do not allow them at all), we begin tameshigiri training early. Tests for dan-ranks do have specific cutting requirements. By the time you are mid-dan ranked, you would have had enough training in tameshigiri to be comfortable (mindful & respectful) using a katana. Around this time we are also doing draw-cuts on tatami!
I disagree with your assertion that iaido is not a martial art; I do agree that it is not a practical one for post-samurai times.
Likewise, there is the old adage that iaido & kendo were like 2 wheels joined by a common axle (for the record, I did both). My former iaido & kendo instructor had everyone do Kendo-no-Kata in order to be aware of pair practices so iaido only students would not get stuck into thinking solo kata timing was all there was.
Iaido or Seitei Iaido. Aka Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido is not meant to be practical. After the Japanese lost WWII the Japanese conserved their martial arts as tradition and culture. Thus, the purpose of practicing martial arts became not for the method of warfare but for cultivation of mind, body, and spirit.
the iai x kenjutsu discussion isn't the same as "self-defense x fighting"? The Iai techniques seem more like a method of self-defense to use in Edo period. Kenjutsu looks more like for duels or warfare and such. Self-defense, duels and warfare techniques are not the same.
There is also the matter that iai has been heavily ritualized from the more practical period battojutsu, similarly to how modern kendo has been heavily sportified relative to its predecessor as training intended for real world application of armed violence.
That said, I similarly contend kenjutsu is really more of general swordsmanship and iai specifically a supplementaly self-defense discipline that is an addition rather than replacement for kenjutsu.
I study kenjutsu it would've been a much better comparison against eskrima which is a battle martial art unlike iaido as you stated. Great reaction video though shogo
Waiting until 5th Dan to start practicing with real weapons in Iaido is a luxury. Eskrima is a martial art that prepares people for combat, and other martial art systems are in similar thinking. The two really aren’t in the same approach to attaining the art. Mr. Shogo has an astute observation there in showcasing intention. The rest of us have to learn to handle real weapons ASAP, because we are training to perform under combat conditions. Yes it is dangerous, I have several scars from training with real knives or machetes, but it’s a necessity. Iaido is still a beautiful system for what it is intended. Just not what people think it is.
Made from Spanish Fencing techniques?? Heck, no...
Eskrima/Kali have been developed through tribal warfare and constant invasions, possibly going back to the warring states period or further.
The source video is whack.