I myself use a Japanese sword (shinken) when practicing and training in iaido (sword drawing) on a regular basis. Weighing over 1.0 kg, this sword is not only heavy but also exceptionally sharp.

 When I lived in Miyazaki Prefecture (Nobeoka City), I once had the embarrassing experience of accidentally cutting the base of my left thumb with the blade of the sword during practice, causing blood to flow uncontrollably.

 Even now, keeping that experience in mind, I continue to practice and train with great care.

 In this post, I’d like to share three videos from the “Mugai-ryu Iaiheido” school—the very first iaido style I learned from master Kuniaki Kai.

○ 1st: Hazumi

・From a seiza position,

    jump forward and strike upward at an enemy standing in front of you.

○ 2nd: En’yō

・Take the initiative to attack an enemy behind you and strike upward.

○ 3rd: In, Chū, Yō

・Parry an attack from an enemy in front of you and strike swiftly.

 Practicing and training with a Japanese sword (shinken) provides a unique sense of stimulation that cannot be experienced through strength training, flexibility exercises, stretching, or martial arts like karatedo, so I will continue to cherish this practice.

 And although I am still a novice, as a holder of the Mugai-ryu Iaiheido license and a 14th-generation Shike (Shihanke), I will continue to strive for improvement.