Iai-Jutsu
Note: Iai swordmanship was not part of the Shorin Ryu Karate/Kobudo curriculum. It was an addition through Uehara's Motobu linage. All of the other weapon kata listed are considered part of the core curriculum of Kobudo Training. Initial training started at the San Kyu (brown belt) level with the bo. It is not until Yon Dan (4th degree black belt) the sword is demonstrated and 'perhaps' instructed.
Filmed in 1993. Shian Toma instructs Dave Bardi and Mike Wysocki in the Motobu Ryu Iai-Jutsu at the Hombu dojo Awase Okinawa, Japan.
Filmed in 1993 at Toma Sensei's Awase dojo
This clip is from a PA Seidokan workout, Summer of '06, Sensei Ed Douga demonstrated a few iai defenses from seiza.
Following is a Motobu Ryu Demo at the Uchinanchu Festival in the Ginowan Convention Center Okinawa Japan 1993.
Related Information:
There are some techniques performed in Motobu style sword against a Japanese swordsman in seiza (seated position). Motobu style swordsmanship is considered unorthadox in its nature. They work on the opposite principles of Mainland Japanese thought of swordsmanship, and intended to exploit or create weaknesses in the orthodox Japanese opponent.
琉球王家秘伝武術本部御殿手 第十二代宗家・上原清吉居合取り Iai catching by Seikichi Uehara. He is master of Udonde (esoteric fighting style in Ryukyu royal family)
Note: Originally, the Okinawan sword of pre-1609 would have had a deeper curve to the blade much more like a Tachi (calvary) sword and carried in a horizontal holster at the upper thigh when in armor or in the hand out of armor. The hand carried sword also serves to reflect the historic outlawing of Okinawans wearing swords; thus, it was hand carried. Current times a katana is substituted for training.
-- Sensei Donnie Hayhurst