First thing to do in trying to understand the philosophy of iaido, is to understand that iaido is a descriptive word, not an art. There are quite a number of schools that practice iaido, and they encompass just as many different philosophies about their training.I know I have practiced Aikido but not Iaido, and I wanted to understand the difference and the philosphy of it as well.
Ah, so saying "Iaido" is about as specific as saying "Karate", then?First thing to do in trying to understand the philosophy of iaido, is to understand that iaido is a descriptive word, not an art. There are quite a number of schools that practice iaido, and they encompass just as many different philosophies about their training.
When people ask about iaido, I always tell them to think of dancing. Not that iaido equates to dancing (although I've seen schools that it seems to!) but that the descriptive is used the same way. If you take your original statement and substituted dancing for iaido, it would leave you with obvious questions. While ballet, two step, and break dancing are all dancing, they have much different philosophies.
Then what's the difference between iaido and karate?Ah, so saying "Iaido" is about as specific as saying "Karate", then?
One has more vowels.Then what's the difference between iaido and karate?
Aikido is mostly empty hand techniques, with very little and underdeveloped sword work. Iaido is sword work only, with every technique beginning with he brandishing of the blade, and ending with the sheathing of the blade.Hello I wanted to ask a question about the difference between Aikido and Iaido, I know I have practiced Aikido but not Iaido, and I wanted to understand the difference and the philosphy of it as well.
Hello I wanted to ask a question about the difference between Aikido and Iaido, I know I have practiced Aikido but not Iaido, and I wanted to understand the difference and the philosphy of it as well.
Ah, so saying "Iaido" is about as specific as saying "Karate", then?
I'm trying to remember whether I've ever heard anyone refer to the bo/sword training in Aikido as "Iaido". I think I might have, which would screw with those search algorithms.Lots of search algorithms also seem to have a problem in differentiating those two arts.
Searching for iaidō often ends in getting presented with countless videos auf aikidōka swinging around bokuto, while pretending to be students of iaidō.
Yes, more or less.
There are dozens of ryū with sometimes vastly different curricula, where iaidō can be just a small part of the training.
On the other hand, there is the so called Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei Iaidō or Seitei Iai, which is the standardized iaidō of the All Japan Kendo Federation.
It was originally introduced for kendō practicioners to have a smaller standard curriculum of iai kata, so that they could train with real swords without the necessity of being part of a ryūha.
Nowadays it is also used by a big part of the iaidō community for seminars, taikai and gradings.
A smaller group is part of the Zen Nihon Iaidō Renmei which has its own seitei iaidō called tōhō iai.
I'm trying to remember whether I've ever heard anyone refer to the bo/sword training in Aikido as "Iaido".
I generally regard the "swordwork" taught in Aikido schools as useful for reinforcing their empty-hand movement, but not terribly useful in and of itself. I'm pretty sure there are some folks in Aikido who'd agree with that, and are comfortable with it for that purpose. But there do appear to be some who regard it as serious swordwork.It was more meant as a snarky comment towards those aikidōka, who do not see the need of formal instruction in iaidō, but still upload dozens of videos showing them doing or teaching really bad iaidō.
And it is not limited to aikidōka, but alot of people commit themselves to youtube-ryū.
Iaidō seems to attract many people who do want to be able to do it, but do not really want to learn it.
But there do appear to be some who regard it as serious swordwork.
OkayAikido is mostly empty hand techniques, with very little and underdeveloped sword work. Iaido is sword work only, with every technique beginning with he brandishing of the blade, and ending with the sheathing of the blade.
Okay I did not know there was a philosophy encompass with their training that is pretty interesting.First thing to do in trying to understand the philosophy of iaido, is to understand that iaido is a descriptive word, not an art. There are quite a number of schools that practice iaido, and they encompass just as many different philosophies about their training.
When people ask about iaido, I always tell them to think of dancing. Not that iaido equates to dancing (although I've seen schools that it seems to!) but that the descriptive is used the same way. If you take your original statement and substituted dancing for iaido, it would leave you with obvious questions. While ballet, two step, and break dancing are all dancing, they have much different philosophies.
Okay I did not know there was a philosophy encompass with their training that is pretty interesting.
I think you will find that pretty much every art (I cannot think of any exceptions...) does.
How much attention is paid to this philosophy will vary widely, of course.
I would argue that sport-based arts might not have a central philosophy.
Can you name one, specifically?
Boxing, MMA, wrestling.
I'm not saying that you can't put philosophy with them, but when I took wrestling in middle school the only "philosophy" we had was to practice and improve the techniques and then pin the other guy. There was no symbolism or message behind any of it.