ABOUT IAIDO
Iaido – the way of the sword – is a martial art originating from kenjutsu. It was developed in the 15 th and 16 th centuries in Japan as a defense against surprising attacks and enemy raids. The use of weapons was then a privilege of the samurai, especially from the 16 th century on, when by decree all weapons from the people were confiscated. Kenjutsu, the sword fighting, belonged to the basic training of the samurai. The sword was seen as the “body guard”, from which one never parted. Standing, sitting or lying down – a samurai always had to be prepared to draw their sword, to save their life, which in times of the feudal system was in constant danger. Under these conditions the idea, that victory would be more effectively gained by a fast surprising action than by a long exhausting fight, quickly spread. Thus the Japanese fighter perfectioned Iai: the art of drawing the sword and striking the opponent, before the latter could prepare for a fight.
The purpose of iaido was to end an impending attack with one stroke of the sword if possible. In order to develop an adequate training system, different situations and circumstances of surprise attacks were studied, trying to find a way to use the sword effectively against as many different attacks as possible.
As the fighter's weapon par excellence the sword also takes a place of honour in many religious ceremonies in Japan. Thus Shinto priests, too, founded their own schools of sword fighting.
The practise of this martial art needs a free mind, the utmost concentration and body control. Every movement of the feet, the body and the sword has to be adapted to the movement of the attacker.
According to historical sources Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido developed about 450 years ago, thus being the second oldest martial art in Japan that is still practiced.
The Founder of Eishin Ryu was Hayashizaki Jinsukee Minamoto Shigenobu, who lived from 1546 to 1621 in what is now the Kanagawa prefecture. Hayashizaki's iaido later had many names because it was passed on from teacher to disciple, however it forms the basis of the two most important styles of iaido that are still practised: Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Muso Shinden Ryu.
Eishin Ryu has been passed down uninterruptedly, starting with Hayashizaki Jinzuke, up to the 22 nd generation, who is today's soke Ikeda Seiko, who was appointed in 1996 by his predecessor Fukui Torao and took office on the 13 th of June 2000 after the latter's death.Names of all headmasters since the founding:
Tamiya Heibei Narimasa – 2nd generation
Nagano Muraku Nyudo Kinrosai – 3rd generation
Momo Gumbei Mitsushige – 4th generation
Arikawa Shozaemon Munetsugu – 5th generation
Banno Danemon no Jo Nobusada – 6th generation
Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin (Hinobu) – 7th generation
Arai Seitetsu Kiyonobu – 8th generation
Hayashi Rokudayu Morimasa – 9th generation
Hayashi Yasudayu Seisho – 10th generation
Oguro Motoemon Kiyokatsu – 11th generation
Hayashi Masu no Jo Masanari – 12th generation
Yoda Manzo Yorikatsu – 13th generation
Hayashi Yadayu Masayori – 14th generation
Tanimura Kame no Jo Yorikastu – 15th generation
Goto Magobei Masasuke – 16th generation
Oe Masamichi – 17th generation
Hogiyama Mamio – 18th generation
Fukui Harumasa – 19th generation
Kono Hyakuren Minoru – 20th generation
Fukui Torao – 21st generation
Ikeda Seiko – 22nd generation
Most historians agree, that the inspiration leading to the name Eishin Ryu originates from the name of the seventh headmaster, Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin.