Technical issues/questions

When is a defensive block not just a block?

Life has many built in safety features to ensure successful survival of a species. Take the simplest eye-blinking when objects move...

前後斬り降ろし (Front and rear strikes)

If you have seen samurai movies or any kind of movies involving fighting, you might have at some point wondered why do the baddies attack...

足捌き (Footworks)

As in all other martial arts footwork is crucial in Iaido. Although not immediately obvious, how one moves his/her lower limb dictates...

Nukitsuke (抜き付け)

This is the first strike as the sword is drawn from the saya (鞘). This is the very essence of Iaido. This should be the one and only...

Zanshin 2 (残心 - その二)

At the end of a technique, the sword is re-sheathed (納刀). Most have been taught that Zanshin is maintained throughout. This is as part of...

足, 腰, 刀

Ashi, Koshi, Katana. This is the basis of Iaido movements. First is from the feet (ashi), then waist (koshi) finally the sword (katana)....

Mekugi (目釘)

Ever wonder how the sword is held together with the handle (柄)? Well, if you have taken a sword apart before you will know you must...

The cold hard stare 目線

Over the years I have found that merely imagining an opponent in front of me is not enough. You really have to visualise this person in...