3 IAIDO Kata Demonstrations and What Each Movement Means | Introductory Katana Training for Starters

“Have you ever wondered what happens during an IAIDO kata?”

If you are a fan of Japanese katana swords, you may know about the martial art “iaido” which is still practiced today. You might have seen videos of trainees swinging katana swords while wearing traditional hakama dogi like this one I'm wearing now. Because we use real katana or ones made from alloy, we do not fight with each other like we do in kendo. We practice something called kata, which are prescribed sword exercises assuming various situations in battle.

However, have you ever wondered before… What are they specifically doing?? If you haven’t trained in iaido before, it might just look like we are randomly swinging our swords everywhere.

So today, as an iaido trainee, I will introduce and explain 3 of the 12 standard iaido kata that are determined by the All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido Club, and explain to you what we are actually doing.

The All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido Club is the biggest iaido group in Japan consisting of different “ryuha” styles engaging together
to preserve the culture. There are 12 kata that are determined as a way for different ryuha styles to practice and compete with together. This is because just like in karate, different styles have different techniques, and it's impossible to train together if there aren’t any mutual training exercises.

However before we start, please understand that I am merely a student undergoing training in iaido myself, so my skills are undeveloped. I just hope that this could be a chance for you to get to know more about iaido, and maybe even be a chance to start training with me! Thank you very much for your understanding.

●All Japan Kendo Federation / Kendo Iaido Jodo

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[Time codes]
0:00 Let's START!
2:23 The history of IAIDO
6:33 Iaido kata: 前 MAE
8:40 Iaido kata: 受け流し UKENAGASHI
10:09 Iaido kata: 柄当て TSUKA-ATE
11:45 Facts about IAIDO kata
13:45 Today's conclusion

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-What are the differences between Iaido & Kendo? The history of the two katana martial arts of Japan
-The 3 differences between iaido/iaijutsu & battodo/battojutsu! Why they have a complex relationship
-3 reasons WHY samurai wore slipper-like shoes! The history of shoes in Japan: waraji, zori, and geta

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“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, 
by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them.

The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼

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Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing.

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Please subscribe!!

The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores.

Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments.

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…

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#iaido #iaidodemonstration #iaidokata #iaidoswordtechniques #iaidobasics

[LetsaskShogo]

▼The BEST online katana shop for martial arts (Iaido, Kendo, etc.): Tozando▼
Everything I use for my katana training is bought at this shop! I still use the first training katana I bought in 2016, and it is still in good shape!

▼The recommended online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼
minikatana.com/SHOGO
*Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-What are the differences between Iaido & Kendo? The history of the two katana martial arts of Japan
-The 3 differences between iaido/iaijutsu & battodo/battojutsu! Why they have a complex relationship
-3 reasons WHY samurai wore slipper-like shoes! The history of shoes in Japan: waraji, zori, and geta

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true,
by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them.

The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼

●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
-Weekly live stream
-Priority reply to comments

Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing.

▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼
Please subscribe!!

The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores.

Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments.

▼[For YOU traveling to Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼

▼Instagram▼
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠I do not use e-mail）

[erichusayn]

As an American katana enthusiast who has no formal training whatsoever, I really enjoy these kind of videos. Really crisp form and the loud tachikaze attests to your correct edge alignment.

[stevenedmund]

The second kata sword hand change and level held was very impressive.

[Mallaien]

A lot of this reminds me of Wild West, cowboy fast draw duels. Even the cowboys had their techniques. Proper position of the Gun on your waist, and different ways to draw your weapon at the ready.

[anime-mun]

This brings back when I managed to learn a little bit of Iaido from a marine who was stationed in Japan during the post World War II reconstruction of Japan where he had managed to learn it himself from a master while he was stationed there. Stating how one of his biggest regrets was helping in the destruction of thousands of ancient blades to fulfill demands from the American side of the leadership. Though he claimed a fair few managed to smuggle away some of the swords to the west. I don't know what happened to the man who taught me the basics back then or if he is even alive but I'll always appreciate him showing me those basics. I might be a little old to begin again myself however I hope my son takes up an interest and that some day he can learn.

[PaleHorseShabuShabu]

Wonderful video. Thanks for the explanations of your kata. I've witnessed a few iaido demonstrations but never had the level of understanding that this video imparts.

I practiced aikido for years. On every step of my journey, my sensei and everyone who was more advanced than me reinforced that it was for self-defense only, that a teenager like me wasn't supposed to provoke someone into attacking. I learned how to deescalate situations and worked on becoming easier to get along with rather than continue to be the angry kid that I was. Those lessons helped shape me into the man I've become and help instill the discipline I'd need to get through ten grueling years of college.

[Ethanol_]

The eye movement in the demonstrations make it so much easier to understand the situation that you’re trying to explain. Very well done Shogo

[creightonfreeman]

As someone who learned a bit of Japanese sword from an American martial arts curriculum, I appreciate this kind of video that goes into the historical background and the traditional technique that sometimes has been lost from the training here.

[idealusernames]

I’ve learned these forms as I am taking Iaido classes!

[Totobombo]

Im learning Iaido and today is my second lesson, i love japanese martial arts, thank you for the info, good job!⛩🥋

[LazurayMusic]

Tenshinryu Hyouho is my chosen path of Katana technique. From what Ive observed so far; it combines the meditative aspects of Iaido sword drawing...with the practical implications of Kendo, but instead of the usual point system style of attacks, it employs specific attacks that disable your opponent from advancing any further without necessarily dealing a lethal blow. Love your channel Shogo!

[PhantomFrostRaven]

You are truly a wonderful person and I find myself meeting your bow with my own even though we aren't near each other. I myself appreciate all your teaching content. Especially given I am a novice in learning the language and culture. しょごさん、ありがとうございます

[juliancain]

Showing the sitting position and footwork was awesome! Thank you Shogo!

[Aranethify]

I started training a couple of months ago, and it has been a great experience. I recomend it to everyone.

[argonwheatbelly]

You focus during kata is admirable. Excellent video. Informative and delightful.

[Markbell]

I am really enjoying your videos.
The history. The presentation. The format. The music.
You already have student's waiting to learn with each new video.
Thank you!

[szentineltorony]

As a koryu trainee, I just started to learn the battojutsu part of my school. It's very similiar to your wazas, and the sitting positions can be painful. =)

[kevdenney]

I am British and just starting Iaido. Thank you for a clear and very excellent explanation of the evolution of Iaido through history and why Iaido was created.

[boknoy]

Thank you for this video. I love japanese swordsmanship. But i don't have access to a real school. So just watching videos like yours gives me information. But still I want to have a proper training. Im just training carefully on my japanese inspired sword.

[ronin]

I recently started practicing Iaidō but it's hard to find experienced sensei where I live (rural Southern Germany), so your instructional videos are greatly appreciated!