Iaido

Mugai Shinden Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo, or Mugai Ryu Iaido for short, is a traditional, feudal-era style of swordsmanship founded by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi in the year 1675.

The style aims at teaching practical, combative sword techniques with an emphasis on Zen and the attainment of enlightenment through swordsmanship. This connection to Zen comes from Tsuji Gettan’s strong belief that the ”sword and zen are the way of the same truth.”

The term ”Mugai” comes from this poem:

Ippo jitsu mugai
Kenkon toku ittei
Suimo ho nomitsu
Dochaku soku kosei

”There is nothing other than the one true way
Heaven and earth profit from this single virtue
The fluttering feather knows this secret
To be settled during confusion is to be enlightened and pure.”

What is Iaido

Mugai Ryu is a traditional, feudal-era style of swordsmanship founded around 1700 by Tsuji Gatan Sukemochi. The style aims at teaching practical, combative sword techniques, with an emphasis also on Zen and the attainment of enlightenment through swordsmanship.

Practice centers on learning the formal sword drawing and cutting solo forms, as well as paired combative forms using partners. More advanced students will have the opportunity to learn forms from other styles, such as the Sekiguchi Ryu and the Niten Ichi Ryu. Iaito (training swords) are optional if owned, otherwise beginners may borrow or purchase wooden training weapons.