The
Iaido Journal July 2007
Different Styles of Iaido Instruction:
Japan vs USA
copyright © 2007 Yukiko Sophie Abe, all rights reserved
My experience with Iaido began when I was a freshman
during university in Japan. Having practiced Kyudo, I was
searching for another martial art to practice. I was drawn to
Iaido for reasons unknown to me. It has been six years now, and I
am still a practitioner.
I was taught by Takashi Kanamori and Kazuhiko Yokoyama
at Nagano where the winter Olympics were held in 1998. Keiko is 5
times a weeks. But unlike the usual keiko where transmission of
knowledge is one-way from the instructors to the students, students are
encouraged to ask questions and develop individuality. It was a
teaching philosophy that provides a wonderful learning environment for
Iaido.
After I graduated, I came to Ohio in the United States
as an Au Pair in June of 2006. I was extremely fortunate to have
had the opportunity to attend the national Iaido seminar, which also
happened to be in Ohio. At first, I was nervous because everyone
was a stranger to me. However, the common interest in Iaido
allows the making of friends very easily.
One major difference at seminars between the two
countries is the fact that in the United States, regardless of rank,
anyone is welcomed to ask questions. In Japan, beginners are
expected to refrain from asking questions. I connect very
strongly with this characteristic teaching philosophy because it
resembles that of my home dojo.
A few months later, I moved to Hudson Valley New York,
where I was glad to reunite with people who I met during the seminar
once again. After various stays at different dojos, I finally
settled down at Princeton Kendo Club, where I felt at home. I
would be asked to assist in teaching, where I happily answer all sorts
of different questions from students of many backgrounds; they range
from bowing etiquette and the difference between Heijo-shin and
Fudo-shin. It is an excellent opportunity for me to share my
Iaido knowledge that I have gained in Japan, and to also learn from
them.
Iaido is a worldwide phenomenon that allowed me to connect with Iaidoka
across the globe in Japan, United States and Canada. It is my
most humble wish to continue to practice with my Iaido friends once
again.
Yukiko Sophie Abe is a recipient of
the
Haruna Bursary to the Guelph
Spring Iaido Seminar.