Tessokai Iai Batto-Ho

History

Iaido (The Way of Sword Drawing) traces its origins to the late 16th century in Japan. It was developed by Hayashizaki Shigenobu. Though an established fact that some Iai-jutsu was practiced within other schools prior to Hayashizaki’s birth, he is credited with the creation of the system of Iai which we know today as Muso Shinden Ryu., which was actually developed based on a vision that Hayashizaki received in a dream, and which he referred to as Batto-Ho. The traditions and forms of Muso Shinden Ryu were transmitted through successive generations of swordsmen, amoung them Nakayama Hakudo Sensei, commonly recognized as one of the two foremost martial artists of the Meiji Era (O’Sensei being the other). One of Nakayama Sensei’s foremost students, Mitsuzuka Takeshi Sensei, established himself in Tokyo and continued the teachings of the Muso Shinden Ryu as transmitted to him by Nakayama Sensei.

Iai and Birankai

During his time as an Uchi-deshi, Chiba Sensei was directed to study Iaido by O’Sensei, who had several encounters with Iai masters and recognized their ability as martial artists. After returning to Japan from the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, Chiba Sensei continued his studies with Mitsuzuka Sensei, whom he recognized as one of the foremost Iai practicitioners in Japan.

The result of Chiba Sensei’s research is what we today practice as Iai Batto-ho (Sword-drawing method), which reflects his desire to combine the three major disciplines (aikido, Batto-Ho and Zen) in order to establish the martial root and culture within our practice. Swordsmanship played a significant role in the development of the warrior culture in Japan, and can play the same role in the development of future generations of Aikidoists.

The techniques of Iai Batto-Ho are derived from two major schools within Japan. From Muso Shinden Ryu we utilize the 12 techniques of Shoden (Omori Ryu) and the 10 techniques of Chuden. From Shindo Munen Ryu we incorporate the 12 forms and use them as our Tachi Iai (Standing forms). The forms are listed below:

Iai Batto-Ho Techniques

SHODEN (Omori Ryu)

1. Sho Hattoh
2. Sa Toh
3. U Toh
4. Atari Toh
5. Inyo Shintai
6. Ryu Toh
7. Jyun Toh
8. Gyaku Toh
9. Seichu Toh
10. Koran Toh
11. Gyakute Inyo Shintai
12. Battoh

CHUDEN (Hasegawa Eishin Ryu)

1. Yoko Gumo
2. Tora Issoku
3. Inazuma
4. Uki Gumo
5. Yamashita Arashi
6. Iwanami
7. Uroku Gaeshi
8. Nami Gaeshi
9. Taki Otoshi
10. Nuki Uchi

Shindo Munen Ryu - Iai Batto Ho Tachi Iai (Standing Forms)

1. Iwa Nami
2. Ukifune Gaeshi
3. No Arashi Gaeshi
4. Utsu Semi
5. Matsu Kaze
6. Zangetsu Hidari
7. Zangetsu Migi
8. Dotoh Gaeshi
9. Raitoh Gaeshi
10. Yoh Toh
11. In Toh
12. Inazuma Gaeshi

The Promotional Process

The promotional process within Iai is quite simple, and is divided into 4 stages

Shoden: Initial transmission- The techniques of Shoden and Shindo Munen Ryu
Chuden: Mid-level transmission – As above as well as Chuden and the Shindo Munen Ryu Kumitachi (partner practice)
Okuden: Supreme transmission- As above as well as Okuden techniques
Kaiden: Full transmission – completion