Iaidi - is anyone practicing?

[ukpatrick]

Being new to this forum, and having read Vince's comment in another thread, I wonder if anyone here does practice (any form or style) of Iaido?

Patrick
_________________
When your enemy is intent on committing an error, do not be in a hurry to correct him - H Nelson

[vince]

I await clarification with interest
_________________
Bun bu ichi
ぶんぶ-
Pen and Sword in Accord
(Words And Actions Are One)

[lao tzu]

you just need to enter iaido, ireland on google to see the plethora of people practising. To our regret, there is only one official member of the Irish Kendo Federation. None of the others are members which means they can't take grade exams or enter competitions with other federations.

The Irish kendo federation did a deal with some people practising iaido in Dublin offering them membership plus web sites etc etc. This was made in June and we have heard nothing since, so I assume they (and others) are not interested in progressing via grade exams or even learning from different EKF or FIK sensei. This seems to be a strange attitude to me as it is impossible to learn the finer points without high-level teachers.
_________________
Win the war and do not boast
Win the war but do not brag
Win the war but do not show arrogance.

[vince]

It looks very like various ryu have various organisation, thereby keeping to themselves. As a kendoka I think experience is essential in developing your personal martial way. It's a pity the above situation happens as people have different experiences in budo and could pool all of their resources with a national organisation.
_________________
Bun bu ichi
ぶんぶ-
Pen and Sword in Accord
(Words And Actions Are One)

[ukpatrick]

Unfortunatly, Lao Tzu, you are right.

The main split (as I understand it) seems to be between followers of the ZNKR seitei system, plus (or not) a koryu, and on the other hand followers of one specific Koryu, who view seitei as watered down 'gendai' art, and look down on it as manufactured.

From the websites I have seen there has been a recent amalgamation of practitioners to form (or upgrade) Iaido Ireland. One of the committee members is Neil Motherway, a fellow member of Masamune Dojo in Birmingham, a BKA member, and therefore a ZNKR follower, and I believe, teacher now, in Dublin.

To follow BKA rules, he can grade up to 2nd kyu in the dojo (sound familiar), but after that, the candidate must attend a Seminar for Ikkyu and upwards. I would have thought that he should be funnelling his students towards yourselves.

This raises the question about membership of this organisation for Iaodoka, and Jodoka, do you offer insurance?

I will drop Neil an e-mail, pointing him at you, and let's see what happens.

Patrick
_________________
When your enemy is intent on committing an error, do not be in a hurry to correct him - H Nelson

[Colman]

It's only really becoming relevant now, as we have a couple of people who are at the stage of being interested in travelling to seminars and grading and that sort of thing.

I've just started trying to work out how to join ...

[kazuma-kun]

i would like to practice iaido too some time in future but all clubs are too far away from me to go to to:(