![iaidō iaidō](https://www.nl.emb-japan.go.jp/image/kendorenmei_2014_2.jpg)
“I came down and I met Pitchford Sensei and a couple other students that had just started class with him. “I had a passing interest in swords and things like that.and I came here and I talked to some folks, and someone mentioned there’s also this iaidō class,” said Tzirides.
![iaidō iaidō](https://cdn.imgbin.com/20/1/6/imgbin-aikikai-dance-iaid-dojo-san-jose-ballet-09Q2yZH06FiLYPHZCw15FcK5Y.jpg)
Most of the other martial arts classes taught at the Tenshinkan Dojo are classified as Shin Budo, or “new martial arts.” While primarily an aikidō dojo, the Lakeview center is open to hosting Pitchford Sensei’s koryū, or classical, style of swordsmanship. Paul Tzirides, one of the more experienced students in the class, originally wanted to study aikidō, a martial arts style in which the practitioner defends oneself while also preventing their attacker from injury, based in throws, grabs and strikes. Veteran students practice with sharp metal blades, while less seasoned students use wooden “mock” swords. Iaidō is associated with drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking and cutting an opponent, removing blood from the sword’s blade, then returning the sword to the scabbard. Iaidō, on the other hand, is less of a contemporary evolution and more rooted in traditional practice. “That’s relatively modern - now there’s old kendō, kendō’s got a 300-year-old history.however, in the old days, you practice your style of swordsmanship, and kendō was a non-lethal way for you from your style and me from my style to test who’s the better swordsman.now, modern kendō is basically a sport.” “You put on armor, you use a bamboo sword and you get to beat each other. Kendō is generic swordsmanship,” said Pitchford Sensei. “As we get into the modern age, these martial arts become generic. These changes, in essence, are meant to improve “the minds and bodies of young men and women,” said Pitchford Sensei. (Photo by Julian Zeng)Īs Japanese martial arts have developed over the years, Pitchford Sensei described how many dangerous elements and lethal moves were taken out of fighting styles that made them more general. Iaido students prepare to practice in pairs. Gordon Warner Sensei, the first non-Japanese to obtain a rank in Japanese swordsmanship (both kendō and iaidō), and had “the privilege of being one of Warner Sensei’s students.” It was in Okinawa where Pitchford met Dr. The specific class Pitchford Sensei teaches is of the Mugai-ryū discipline, an old style that this year celebrates its 285th anniversary of the death of the founder, Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi.Ī practitioner of Mugai-ryū Iaidō for approximately 29 years, Pitchford Sensei first began his martial arts training as a member of the military on assignment in Okinawa, Japan. Pitchford Sensei is an instructor of iaidō, traditional Japanese swordsmanship, specifically the art of drawing and cutting in one motion with a sword. There’s every secret you need to know about martial arts,” said Ken Pitchford, a sensei at the Tenshinkan Dojo at the Lakeview Japanese Culture Center, 1016 W. Hard work and repetition are the two keys to mastering martial arts. Lakeview Japanese Culture Center (1016 W. You can a ttend r egular seminars and gradings throughout the year, giv ing you opportunities to train with other i aidō practitioners and s ensei.Iaido students practice swordsmanship at the Tenshinkan Dojo,
![iaidō iaidō](https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/da33bd73-9d9a-435b-97b9-4d4f0055938e/P1010744.jpg)
The club is c onnected with N ew Z ealand K endo F ederation affiliated clubs in Auckland, New Plymouth, Whangarei and Christchurch. Our dojo is at Vogelmorn Hall ( 13 Vennell St), Brooklyn, Wellington, New Zealand and overlooked by the famous 3 bladed Brooklyn wind turbine (we adopted our club logo from this). To join please contact Cam via phone 0212630351. Wellington Iaidō club has been running since 2010 covering the All Japan Kendō Federation Iaidō ( also called Seiteigata) and for advanced practitioners, the Koryū ( old style) of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū (MJER). Training is available twice a week and led by Cam Findlay, 3rd Dan.Ĭam originally started learning Iaidō at the Sei tou ken yu kai (Canterbury Kendō) dojo under Eynon Philips in Christchurch, NZ before moving to Wellington and sharing this interesting martial art in the capital city. Canterbury Kendō was founded by Alex Bennett a well known NZ expat based in Japan and Editor-in-Chief of "Kendō World" magazine.īeginners classes are Tuesday 6-7pm and there is a further session Saturday 3-5pm for those wanting to progress faster or later study MJER Iai.