Iaido Shinai

[Bob Hubbard]

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Master Sueyoshi Akeshi, Shugendo monk, scholar of the martial traditions and expert in Iaido, has carried out for years an intensive work of dissemination and teaching of the Sword Art. In this new work Master Akeshi provides 34 Kumidachi divided into four different groups, URA, JISEN, KASEN and AISHIN, performed at the highest level, with extremely fast and precise movements. The importance of the work with partners is highlighted in this DVD, since the individual training should be supplemented by practical application for a better understanding. For this, the Fokuro Shinai is essential, especially when it comes to beginners, since the use of the bokken is a very high risk. In the practice of these Kumidachi, the Fokuro Shinai minimizes the risk of unnecessary accidents. Once again, Master Sueyoshi shows us his innate capacity for Martial Arts. In his hands the Kumidachi seems an easy task, but the good news for all practitioners is that being disciplined enough in training, it is possible to reach a level as high as you can see in this film.

 

[Chris Parker]

Hmm, to begin with, I'm not sure what makes this fukuro shinai anything to do with Iaido... but more importantly, to be frank this seems to be little more than a porrly demonstrated version of Kashima Shinryu kata in an attempt to add to a resume. Every result I found up to 5 pages on google was about books and DVDs he has, rather than anything about his training, or even him, really. I also haven't come across any Shugenja (practitioner of Shugendo) being refered to as a "monk" before either.

The Fukuro Shinai is based pretty much identically on the Kashima Shinryu bokuto, and the kata are incredibly similar. To compare:

Sueyoshi even uses the same name that Kashima Shinryu uses (Kumi Tachi/Kumidachi). Oh, and for the record, Kashima Shinryu have used a Fukuro Shinai in their training for the last few hundred years as well, although it is not this one.

 

[Chris Parker]

Just re-watching the clip.... can anyone think of any reason he is bending over so much throughout this performance? He may have some skill in Aikido, but I'm really doubting his sword experience, honestly...