Comments for North London Budo Dojo - Iaido Kobudo Martial Arts Dojo

Comment on Iaido Information by Duncan Williams

Duncan Williams — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 17:40:30 +0000

I’m interested in starting Iaido with a view to learning Bushido and Test cutting. I live in Apsley
and work in East London so training anywhere in London or Herts is possible.

Many thanks

Comment on Dojo Venue and Times by emmanuel

emmanuel — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 22:38:42 +0000

Hi,

I am not Karateka but I would like to know if I would be eligible to enrol and learn Kobudo.
if this is possible, please let me know the charges of receiving Kobudo knowledge under your instruction.

Thanks and nice weekend
Emmanuel

Comment on Dojo Venue and Times by Michael Towers

Michael Towers — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:38:25 +0000

Hi,

I’ve been wanting to try Iaido for years. I did shinkendo in Northampton for about 6 months many years ago.

I live in Edgware and would like to come to the Iaido classes, I’m only available to come about half the time though due to work shifts but this will change in a few months.

Comment on Tameshigiri 2014 competition by prem shah

prem shah — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:29:21 +0000

Mladen was outstanding on the night. Well deserved.

Comment on An introduction to Itotsu-ryu Kobudo by blogspot.ca

blogspot.ca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 11:17:13 +0000

Thanks in support of sharing such a nice thought, article is good, thats why i have read it completely

Comment on A sample Iaido kata-a sequence of moves. by northlondonbudo

northlondonbudo — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:38:11 +0000

The sageo is not normally removed for Seitei Iaido as Sageo control methods are now part of Seitei Iaido. Some Iaido Sensei from Japan chose not to use sageo in the 1960s and this they have passed on to their students. I my opinion the sageo is usefull to retain the saya, but also has uses in restraining oponents, and other more unpleasant applications. Regards, Chris.

Comment on A sample Iaido kata-a sequence of moves. by Barry

Barry — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:45:29 +0000

Why is the Sageo removed in Seitei but used in Musoshinden ryu and other styles?

Comment on An introduction to Itotsu-ryu Kobudo by northlondonbudo

northlondonbudo — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:08:41 +0000

Yes-they are very good-I have used him many times-I even got tinbe/rochin from him. Regards, Chris.

Comment on Iaido and Kobudo Dojo in North London by northlondonbudo

northlondonbudo — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:50 +0000

We recently held a small tameshigiri competition at the Edgware dojo. During the evening students competed for a lovely trophy with a series if cuts increasing in difficulty as the evening progressed.
The word ‘Tameshigiri’ is widely used in the West to mean ‘cutting of straw targets’, however the word really applies to exercises where the sword is being tested, rather than the student. The word ‘sumotogiri’ is more correct for cuts designed to test the swordsman. In Japan some instructors denegrate or play down cutting as being a showy egocentrick exercise. However I believe it helps students relate their Iai practice to something practical. I have found that some Iaidoka can have lovely kata but are anuable to cut. The drawing action of good cutting eludes some students, and to this end I find tameshiigiri usefull. The easiest analogy would be to take a karateka who had only ever punched air, and then try to measure the level of his ability! It’s also great fun! Students quickly discover that the easiest route through a target is not the shortest, and that cutting moving targets and freestanding(unpegged) targets is not easy!
Care must be taken when cutting as for some students it is their first use of a ‘live’ blade. My advice to inexperienced students would be to cut from haso no kamae with the blade already unsheathed and cut with the grain of the straw. If a student has good basics e.g control of the thumb during koiguchi wo kiru and noto much of the instructors first-aid skills will be redundant. However tameshigiri is by it’s nature dangerous!
It is also important that the swords are maintained properly and oiled between cutting. The blades should also be wiped clear of water/preservatives prior to re-sheathing. Not everyone is aware that rolled tatami mats contain preservatives that can stain steel, and that often it is neccessary to use jitekou nugui to remove the marks!
Cutting should only be undertaken under those who have many years experience, and sword specific PLI is a must.
Ross Owens proved to have the best cuts on the evening, including two exeptional cuts to moving targets!