The Dojo of Traditional Martial Arts in Denton, Texas, and John Ray Sensei were pleased to host Hiroshi Tanida, 7th dan Kyoshi, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (ZNIR) from Chiba for a special weekend seminar on January 20, 1998.
COMMENTS
The key points made by Tanida Sensei were to keep the budo mind in Iaido. He said several times "That is not Iaido; This is Iaido." The budo mind is strategy. It is control of the sword and one's self.
Strategy as opposed to tactics is how one sits. How one holds the sword in noto. Preparing one's self at every moment for attack. This is Iaido.
Tactics is how one cuts when cutting, how one draws when drawing. Strategy is where the elbows go in zarei, how the back is held, where the hands are placed. Always think about why you are doing every detail, always remember the life-and-death purpose and desperation inherent in the art.
Tanida Sensei often referred to "real Iaido" -- John Ray Sensei said he explained this very simply, that Real Iaido is when your opponent can kill you. If your opponent kills you, it is not Real Iaido.
GENERAL
* In seiza, place the hands cupped comfortably at 30-45 degree angle inward, and on centerline of thigh.
* Always keep the back straight, unless tactics require.
* In zarei, keep knees two fists apart or closer, so opponent cannot kick the groin. Keep elbows close to prevent a stick or saya from being inserted and entangling the arm.
SEIZA NO BU
* Draw with the body rise in Mae and Yaegaki.
* Cut across the top of the chest in nukitsuke.
* Aim the tsukagashira at the point of penetration then snap kissaki around to enter.
* Use the two little fingers to bring the sword into position in nukitsuke and ochiburi.
* Know where your opponent is in Ukenagashi. Tiny differences in foot position can make your sword strike off by a foot or more.
* Control the sword (as pointed out in Tsuigekito). Do not throw the sword out. That is not Iaido.
* Draw to the opponent's right shoulder and CUT kesagiri on draw in Tsuigekito.
* Cut the opponent's wrists from below in Tsukikage. Do not immediately withdraw the sword, control wrists with blade as you begin next step.
* Use normal walking steps in the last strike of Tsukikage.
* Place hands directly at the side in Oikaze, with thumb in.
* Lean forward to initiate movement in Oikaze, before raising foot. Do not raise up. Take very small steps.
* Open chest to cut nukitsuke. Have low, erect posture. Do not raise up when stepping forward for next cut.
BATTOHO NO BU
* Shihoto 1 cuts three times from a basically static position, while Shihoto 2 moves with natural walking steps between cuts. This is choreography, but the purpose is differences in maai. Similar to difference between normal walking tsugiashi cuts in Junto 1 & 2.