Posted by Andy Jacques I am a beginner iaidoka (less than a year) in Muso Shinden Ryu. I take the class at my Aikido dojo in Roselle Park, New Jersey. However, I am not ranked in either art, although I take my studies very seriously, both in class and out. As such I spend a lot of time browsing the internet for any type of material I can find on either Aikido or Iaido. That is how I found my way here Anyway, I would like some feedback about an issue that has been bothering me ever since I stumbled across a certain web page that categorized the different schools of Iaido. I don't claim to understand much about Iaido or even any other budo, but I do at least know enough to understand that there are certain differences between the schools. In other words, I am aware that something must be different, just not exactly WHAT. I am not really sure but I sort of suspect that other ryu tend to be more traditional, while MSR might be defined as more "modern" than other ryu. So on this web page the author seemed to have a negative attitude towards MSR. What I want to know is basically if others share that opinion and if it is really that bad? On the first level (which I would classify as the basic cutting, completion of a technique or "just getting through it" and old-world application of that technique) I would imagine that very little would have to change, since the actual practice of martial combat with live swords is out-dated. Yet in my dojo my teacher sometimes gives a brief history of the refinements made in a particular technique over the years. For instance, at what angle the o-chiburi comes down and across. Or when exactly to cover the blade at the end of certain techniques, or how the bowing in and out has changed. So my question regarding this is, if it isn't how the samurai did it, then why are we doing something different. Is MSR as an art dedicated to the preservation of tradition in fact LESS that what it could/should be? Or am I just ignorant about the fact that things like this change in other ryu as well? My teacher is actually hesitant about some changes that he feels deviate from tradition unnecessarily. But I think he also had a great quote in saying that, "Change is how you know a martial art is healthy." But I am confused as to whether or not this contradicts one of the principles of Iaido. I would also like to know if anything is different on the upper levels, the meditation and spritual aspects of the art. I'd imagine that even though each ryu may teach things differently that they are all Iaido in the end, and instill in the practicioner the same sense of calm and readiness, which is the pinnacle of the art. *Please, I am not trying to justify Muso Shinden Ryu as an authentic and worthy art, nor in any way defend it as such, not to myself and especially not to my superiors. Nor am I in any way trying to set bait for a shouting match. It's just that as a beginner I understand little except what my teacher tells me. And I only ask because I am not mature enough to recognize much of the deeper subtlety of even my own Ryu, let alone another one. I would appreciate any constructive feedback you have to offer. Respectfully, Andy Jacques
on July 20, 2004, 11:38 am
Hi everyone, 
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