Iaido - the art of cutting with a Katana

Now, as a kid, I loved Japan. Mostly because of samurais and their powerful Katanas. Now, the reasons for me liking Japan have evolved a bit since then, but there is still something essentially very Japanese about samurais and katanas. Samurais, and the codes they live by, still resonate in Japan today, and many of the old codes and rules of conduct still apply in today's Japan (or should, at least). The katana is also somehow symbolic of Japan's constant strive for perfection.

So, when I saw an activity called "Iaido - Japanese sword experience" in our language school's event calendar, I immediately signed up. When signing up, I sort of figured we'd get to play around with wooden swords and maybe see a katana, and if we were lucky, see a pro wield one. So imagine my excitement, when I realized that we were to actually get to use one!

OK, we started off with practicing with wooden swords (fair enough, really). Which was already quite good fun, especially as we were taught by the dojo's grand master. Then, after about 2 hours of practice with the wooden swords (practicing just one cut, the easiest one, obviously, cutting almost vertically down from holding the sword over ones head), we got the real katana.

The plan was simple enough, cut down on a rolled tatami mat, and cut it cleanly in two (this is the reason the cut is actually sort of diagonal rather than vertical, as the rolled tatami mat stands vertical).  Easier said than done, as the cut still needs to be reasonably accurate, and straight, for the tatami mat to be cut cleanly in too. A lot of zen Buddhism was invoked as well, about emptying the mind before "cutting".

Anyway, I got three attempts at my mighty enemy the tatami mat. The first one sort of half failed (meaning I hit the rolled-up tatami map but didn't cut it cleanly in half). The 2nd attempt was much better, I managed to hit the tatami mat more or less where I wanted, at the right angle, so the tatami bundle was indeed cut in half cleanly. A feeling of calm and relief overcame me... The third attempt was OK, but not as good as my 2nd cut.

At the end, the masters showed how the tatami mat cutting should REALLY be done, demonstrating some pretty impressive combinations. All in all, a fantastic experience - a great way to spend 3 hours really!