The
Iaido Journal May 2011
The Artistic Perspective of Iaido
copyright ©
2010 Hailey Shafman, all
rights reserved
It’s been over two years since I first started practicing Iaido and I
still have a hard time trying to explain to people what it is. By far
the easiest explanation for the average person, which usually makes
martial artists cringe from lack of political correctness, is sword
dancing. To put it simply, Iaido practitioners are performing
choreographed movements which happen to focus on the use of a katana as
the prop. I can personally tell you I don’t like or prefer to explain
Iaido in this sense. So for this paper, I’m going to attempt to explain
Iaido in such a way that my personal opinions and knowledge of it would
be understood by someone who is beginning Iaido or just been introduced
to it for the first time. With the use of an analogy, I will be able to
make the explanation easier to grasp. I am going to explain the
similarities between Iaido and art, specifically visual art. By using a
topic associated with, but easily overlooked in the world of martial
arts.
When creating a piece of art, the artist knows what he/she wants the
final product to look like, the flawless final image that will be
considered a masterpiece. However, careful planning and consideration
must be made before the final step is reached. So they begin by
creating a rough image or skeletal idea of what it should look like.
Depending on the artist, they can go through one rough draft or
multiple copies, focusing on a particular section of the piece or the
overall big picture. At this point, the rough image looks nothing like
the final product; however it is setting up the basic ideas needed to
come to that conclusion. The artist will continue to manipulate the
basic ground work until he/she is satisfied with it.
When a rough background is complete, work on the
details can start. The importance of the details is to make the art
piece more intricate and aesthetically pleasing. Even the smallest
amount of detail can result in a grander presentation. Obviously,
the type and amount of detail within the art piece solely depends upon
the skill of the artist. More experienced artists have a finer eye for
picking up and creating the details within their art while novice
artists are still learning and honing their craft. Usually, after much
trial and error through practice, the artist begins to start finding
and implementing the details into their art. By practicing their
artistic skills, the artist begins to have their perspectives
broadened. Some start seeing the importance of light and shadows, the
pattern and texture of items, or even how certain shapes and angles
have an overall effect on the art piece. The level of understanding
separates the novice artists from the experienced ones. It is expected
that the artist will be able to use all their theoretical knowledge of
details and apply it practically to their art work.
With the rough background draft finished and the
details all in place, the masterpiece is completed. However, truth be
told, no artist is ever fully satisfied with their artwork. When this
occurs, the artist either tries to change the detailing of the art or
even go so far as starting from the rough image again. The recreation
of work usually results from the increased knowledge of the
artist. No artist will ever discontinue learning new ways and
methods to create art.
The principles applied in artwork are the same within Iaido.
Every Iaido practitioner begins by learning and developing the basic
groundwork needed for the kata. They begin by practicing the foot work
and cuts. Depending on the martial artist, some are able to learn the
fundamentals of the kata quickly, while others need to focus on
specific sections that require more time to master. Once the martial
artist understands the general concepts and rough idea behind the kata,
they can move on to the next step.
Like the details in the painting, the fine tuning of
certain aspects of the kata are done to make it more interesting and
sufficient. Higher ranking martial artists understand how the slight
alteration in movement can significantly affect the overall kata.
Beginners to Iadio are still learning how to manipulate this general
principle. Through practice, the beginner starts to become aware of
certain details performed within the kata which makes it more
efficient. The ability to implement it correctly is done through a
process of trial and error. It is important for the Iaido practitioner
to not only perform the practicality of the details, but understand the
methods and reasons behind it. This level of understanding separates
the ranks within Iaido.
The combination of understanding the fundamental
principles and details within the kata, results in the most efficient
and perfectly performed appearance of Iaido. However, to assume that
this process is very simple is incorrect. A true practitioner of Iaido
will never be satisfied with their kata. As the Iaido practitioner
continues to grow and develop their knowledge of Iaido, their katas
will evolve with newfound knowledge. Just like the world of art,
once you choose to become involved and fully embrace it, you know that
your learning will never cease to stop. There is always another level
to be reached regardless of rank or skill. It just depends on what the
individual chooses it to be.
The basic merits found within artistry do not change
between venues. The intent and purpose between Iaido and creating
artwork may be different, but the final completion of both products,
with the use of ingenuity, creates something beautiful. Therefore,
Iaido is a martial art where the individual focuses on learning and
evolving katas, to a state where the purpose and practicality behind it
can be understood from anyone’s perspective, just like when anyone
looks at a painting or sculpture and understands what the artist is
trying to say. However, the most important and crucial thing is
that it makes sense to the artist themselves.