Nihon-to vs. Iai-to and associated Koshirae

[cisco-san]

Dear fellows,

 

I wonder what is the difference between a Nihon-to and a Iai-to? Or is there no difference, just how, where and who it use?

 

On the other side, is there a difference between a Koshirae for Iaido and a "normal" Koshirae.

In the past I asked a high ranked Iaido/Aikido sensei but the answer was absolutely not satisfying. He just answered "Why do you ask, because is is clear. ;-( ". As I know Kurigata and Sageo are often seen on many Koshiraes.

 

Many thanks in advance.

[sanjuro]

The difference between Nihonto and Iaito is very pronounced. On the one hand a Nihonto is a true Japanese sword. A nihonto is made according to one of the five traditions of swordmaking and is made of hand forged and tempered steel. There are other specifics to this classification but lets keep it simple for now.

An Iaito is made specifically for the practice of Iaido and is made to resemble a Nihonto, but the blade is manufactured either of an alloy or in some cases of stainless steel. The only similarity between the two is appearance.

As far as Koshirae is concerned the Nihonto was in use for approximately twelve centuries in various forms and the koshirae in each period of history was different. Many of them were totally inappropriate for the practice of Iaido, which is a comparatively recent form of Budo, (at least in the greater sense of the history of Japanese Budo) .

An Iaito has a koshirae that resembles the mountings of a sword in the late Momoyama period or the Edo period. (from about 1598 onward to 1878 or so when the wearing of swords was prohibited in Japan by imperial edict.)

Your post tells me that you have only fairly recently become curious about these subjects, and that is fair enough. We all started somewhere. May I suggest that you read as much as you can get hold of on the subject of Nihonto and also Iaido. The Internet is an excellent place to begin. Ask questions here by all means.

[cisco-san]

Dear Keith,

 

many thanks for your comments. Now I see clearer

 

An Iaito is made specifically for the practice of Iaido and is made to resemble a Nihonto, but the blade is manufactured either of an alloy or in some cases of stainless steel. The only similarity between the two is appearance.

I know the the typical sword to practice Iaido is a zinc/alloy sword, even I know some people which uses real NihonTo´s for practice Iaido.

I think the term "IaiTo" is generally used in Iaido as the name for the sword !

 

Your post tells me that you have only fairly recently become curious about these subjects, and that is fair enough. We all started somewhere. May I suggest that you read as much as you can get hold of on the subject of Nihonto and also Iaido. The Internet is an excellent place to begin. Ask questions here by all means.

You are fully right. I am still a newbie here on this board and I have to apologies if I bother you and all the other on this board.

Some of this question are in my head since a long time and now I see to possibility to get the right answers.

For sure I also use the Internet to get information, but it is much more easier to ask/discuss this questions with well experienced people.

 

Again many thanks

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

I know the the typical sword to practice Iaido is a zinc/alloy sword, even I know some people which uses real NihonTo´s for practice Iaido

.

 

Getting the sixth dan in ZNKR seitei iaido, you must practice with a real sword (nihonto for Japanese practitioners).

[sanjuro]

Cisco.

 

If I may, I'll share with you a small piece of obsevation by my own Sensei when I first began my journey in the arts of iaido and kenjutsu. It goes back to the days befor the Edo period and although the translation is not perfect, it still has meaning at more than one level.

 

"Performing the technique of Chiburi can take a man a lifetime to perfect. Yet Chiburi itself is an easy technique. It is surviving an armed encounter so that one Can perform chiburi that takes the time to master." :D

[Toryu2020]

Klaus et al -

Iai-to could mean my sword I use for practice, a sword made specifically for practice or a koshirae that is built for practice versus a historical restoration. Therefore;

 

1. There are individuals who use a traditionally made blade with antique fittings, handle and scabbard for the practice of iai. This would be their Iai-to. (not recommended BTW)

 

2. There are many shops selling nickel blades of varying qualities with stamped out fittings modern made specifically for the practice of Iaido. Some are very very nice and if you spend some time looking these can be very satisfying to own and practice with. (recommended)

 

3. When you go to a proper saya-shi and request a koshirae - there will be questions as to the quality you wish to acheive - fittings are one question, but the wrap, quality of same and lacquer are another. If you want a complete period restoration do not expect your sword back for 3-5 years while the artists confer and slowly put together all the right elements - If it is just an Iai-to you want, you'll get good same, a strong wrap and decent lacquer in much shorter order, but not the same time and attention to detail - it is not a What so much as a How you want things done, if that makes any sense...

-t