mnedel Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 Hello everyone, I am looking for a sword that can be used for iaido (nothing demanding) but also for display, and with an affordable price. You may remember me, I had a similar question few months back: http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9723&sid=de74215dafdf5f0a505ad60e8f9c5e54 You're advice was invaluable and I did decide to purchase that sword, but unfortunately it was reserved and is still on hold. In the mean time I have found a sensei and started practicing iaido. Now this sword shows up on aoiart: https://www.aoi-art.com/auction/en/auction.cgi?acc=disp&no=1305614961&t=1213703271 What do you think of it? My sensei tells me that the ideal length for me would be around 72-73 cm, so this sword fits perfectly. Is this a good purchase? Thank you Quote
jeremy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 The sword in question would be fine for iaido. Just make sure the fittings arent loose if/when you decide to purchase this sword. If you are planning on doing any cutting with this sword, please be very careful, as the bo-hi weakens the blade, and will be less forgiving on bad cuts than a blade without bo-hi. Also, email Tsuruta-san and ask him if this blade has any serious flaws. Other than what I have said, if the koshirae fits your taste, the length is suitable according to you and your instructor, there should be no reason why this sword wouldnt be appropriate for iaido. Kind regards, Jeremy Hagop Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 I agree with Jeremy that the blade would be "suitable" for iaido, with two caveats: First, does your sensei allow new students to train with a live blade, & second, do you realize just how much a large steel shinken weighs? My wife & I have been training in MJER for many years, & our Sensei only allows shinken for tameshigiri training, although I'll admit that our SMR Jodo Sensei does require us to train with live blades. From the blade length you describe as ideal, you're probably around 5'8-6' tall, so a shinken, especially with a wide blade, will likely weigh about 30-60% more than the same blade as an iaito made from an aluminum alloy. If you are really strong with large forearms, then you might not notice the difference, but over the past few years, our MJER dojo has lost several promising students who just couldn't manage even a medium-weight iaito. So if you are serious about training in iaido, my personal recommendation is to start out with an iaito, & graduate to a shinken when you have a few years experience in swinging a sword. Good luck in any case. Quote
Curgan Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 In the meantime studying a couple of books (or more) on the subject will definately help you improve and develop your own taste and appreciate what a Japanese sword really is. Quote
mnedel Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Posted May 22, 2011 Thank you very much for the replays, some good advice there. Ken-Hawaii I completely agree with you. I already have an aluminium iaito and intend to train with it. I will use the shinken when I'm ready which will probably be in a few years time. It's just, I been following aoiart for months now and they rarely get iaido swords, especially one with the right length and price .Also, I don’t intend it solely for training but as a display piece as well. These are the reasons I am thinking of buying it now instead of waiting. If I do decide to go trough with the purchase, will it be a good value for the money? No flaws that a experienced eye can see? Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 Milica, considering the blade was built less than 30 years ago, it should darn well be in great shape! Honestly, this isn't the best forum to discuss iaido, as Brian has targeted us very well on Nihonto. I suggest you browse over to http://www.e-budo.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=59 where you'll find a ton more info on the martial arts aspects of blades, rather than on the blades themselves. Ken Quote
sanjuro Posted May 23, 2011 Report Posted May 23, 2011 Milica. As an Iadoka of some years experience I can only echo what Ken has said, but also to add that as you become more proficient in Iado your requirements of a practical sword change a little, sometimes profoundly so, sometimes imperceptably (by the practitioner at least). Ergo, what is suitable now may in a few years be less suitable as your proficiency increases. The first two years of training, (depending on how often and seriously you train), is basically the training of muscle memory, balance and focus. Also your proximity sense regarding the blade and development of the musculature for the techniques. After you have achieved Shodan level the training emphasis often shifts somewhat and this is more where the live blade and your requirements of it come into the equation. Not wishing to cut across anything your sensei may wish to encourage, I can only counsel that you achieve some proficiency prior to purchasing a live blade for training, since the sword you buy now may not be the ideal sword when you eventually begin to use a live blade in training and can derive some personal benefit from doing so. :D This is not meant as a disincentive in any way, merely something to take into your evaluation. Quote
mnedel Posted May 28, 2011 Author Report Posted May 28, 2011 Once again thank you everyone. I went on and purchased the blade :D Now it's a two months wait for it to arrive. Hopefully there wont be any unpleasant surprises when it arrives. Hm, actually there already was, I was expecting customs to be around 20% not a whooping 55%. Cheers Quote
leo Posted May 28, 2011 Report Posted May 28, 2011 Hello, Milica, This customs duty seems quite outrageous! Where do you live? Quote
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