r/iaido

Been practicing for a year and just wanted to ask this out of curiosity. It might be a stupid question, but I'd be interested in how both differ from each other, beyond the fact that iaito are unsharpened and are most of the time made from something else than steel.

Are there differences in construction - i.e. from how the blade is fit into the tsuka? Can iaitos be sharpened and just become actual swords - e.g. does the zinc alloy have such different properties to steel that sharpening them is not possible or dangerous?

Hello, I'm doing an international MBA program, and am working on my thesis for which I need some tips and guidance. The topic I wish to write on is niche but I'm still interested and am part of the community so interest is aligned, but I'm stuck on how to proceed and figure out the "so what?"

My supervisor also wants me to do a quantitative report but I'm not fully confident how.

---

Topic:

Preservation and Adaptation: Iaido Education and Training Outcomes in Japan and the US

RQs:

How is the instruction and practice taught in Japan is different from the US?

What difference, if any, exists in the meaning of the martial art between the 2 countries?

How those 2 questions are linked and differ from both cultures?

---

Keywords:

Iaido, cultural diffusion, cross cultural studies, psychology, OB, tourism(?)

---

Discussions from relevant papers:

Themes that reflect contrasting instructor perspectives shaped by cultural context.

What trainees believe the true meaning of the martial art?

How people dynamics and culture differ?

---

Methods:

in-depth interviews

cross sectional survey

Use semantic differential (no idea how)

---

Background:

I have been training in the martial art "iaido" for about 2 years, one in America and one in Japan, and have seen the difference on teaching styles, ideals, meaning as a sport, and want to see how I can link this to my studies.

My supervisor has also suggested that this is more in line with marketing, which I think where "budo tourism" can also come into play, but I'm not sure what the end goal is, and the "so what?" aspect.

I think not many people know about iaido, and it is a dying culture so I think writing on how Japan can share this with the world is the main theme, and how local cultures improvise it it their own way? But that's about it

---

Any and all help is appreciated, thanks

Hello everyone,

​I’ve recently started my journey in Iaido and I'm finding that there is an incredible amount of detail to absorb in every session. To help process everything, I’m considering starting a training journal.

​I’d love to hear from the community:

​Do you keep a journal? If so, what format do you find most effective? (e.g., traditional paper notebook, digital apps like Notion/Evernote, or even video logs?)

​What is worth observing/recording as a beginner?

My Sensei provides a lot of feedback, but what are the "small wins" or technical details you found most beneficial to track early on? (Footwork, specific grip feelings, names of kata, or mental state?)

​How often do you review your past entries? Does it actually help you spot long-term patterns in your technique?

​I’m aiming for a "Japanese Elegance" in my approach—organized and mindful—so any tips on keeping the journal structured would be greatly appreciated.

​Thank you in advance for your insights!

I work a weird job where I’m ALWAYS traveling, often a different city every night. Sometimes I can look ahead at work orders and reserve a room at a hotel in a location that’s ’central’ to where I’ll be working for a few weeks.

I’m very interested in training Asayama Ichiden Ryu, but have never trained swordsmanship of any style, and I imagine working with someone in person would be the best way to establish a foundation.

I’ve looked at the areas I’ll be working in for the next few months, and I’m seeing schools that offer Itto Tenshin Ryu, Shinkendo, and Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu..

Thoughts?

Thanks 🙏

I am interested in iaido or gumdo but since there are much morè less gumdo schools than iaido in Catalònia,Spain i am looking in iaido schools.

Maybe in Barcelona city or Maresme (north coast)

The thing is that i have a patellar injury of 1 year and half since surgery,and i thing this affect in iaido,i see much crouches at "japanesse style" when meditating. So maybe is a bad idea to do iaido? Maybe in morè time forward i will have my tendon morè sòlid?

Ty.

I might be getting a new tsuba soon. Does anyone know where to get seppa in case the new tsuba is a slightly different fit?