The Ontarion takes a moment to talk to the University of Guelph’s chief iaido instructor Kim Taylor about the art of swords.

Sasha Odesse: What defines iaido from other martial arts, for example Karate?

Kim Taylor: Iaido is, strictly speaking, the art of drawing and attacking/defending with the Japanese sword directly from the scabbard. It is, of course, much more than that. A typical iaido kata or technique consists of four parts: the draw and cut (nuki uchi), the finishing cut or cuts (kiri tsuke), cleaning the blade (chiburi) and putting the blade back into the scabbard (noto). All without looking away from the opponent.

This all sounds a bit bloodthirsty but iaido as described is done as a solo practice, it is a serious contemplative art that has more to do with killing inner demons than other men.

Iaido practice also includes set-piece kata with a partner using wooden swords and so can also be described as kenjutsu (sword art). The arts we practice here in Guelph are Iaido (the All Japan Kendo Federation iaido set and a koryu (old school) called Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu as well as a couple of minor schools), Jodo (a stick art practiced using a 50 inch staff against a (wooden) sword. We practice the All Japan Kendo Federation jodo set and a koryu (old school) called Shindo Muso Ryu). Finally, we practice a kenjutsu founded by the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi called Hyoho Niten Ichiryu. This last art is notable for it’s two-sword practices.

SO: Is there a testing system/different levels of iaido? (similar to white, yellow, green belts etc. or dans?) 

KT: The Canadian Kendo Federation has iaido, jodo and kendo sections and a total of 8 dan grades are supported in all three arts. I teach the iaido and jodo arts here on campus and my ranks are 7dan iaido and 5dan jodo. I sit on the national grading panel for iaido and am in charge of the jodo section for Canada.

SO: Would you say that iaido is mostly an individual sport?

KT: The main practice of iaido is solo, using a metal sword, which for beginners, is aluminum and not sharp. At 5 dan the CKF requires sharp blades for grading challenges.

SO: I’m assuming iaido is similar to other martial arts in that it is also a mental discipline. If so, what can students who are in the Iaido club expect to learn/achieve?

KT: The long hours of practice required to perfect an iaido kata are an excellent meditative practice which is well suited to some people as a mental/spiritual practice. It is also a budo (old Japanese martial art) and so develops a tough, determined attitude to hardship and the troubles of everyday life.

SO: What is your favourite part about teaching iaido at the University of Guelph?

KT: Without a doubt, my favourite part of teaching iaido here at the University is to watch our students come to class unsure, insecure, shy and perhaps even a bit scared of life, develop into confident, competent people over the months and years of practice. While I can’t claim that it is iaido that does this for every student who joins (most university students develop into wonderful people during their years here regardless) I would like to think that our club helps those who join us.

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