What Are the Differences Between IAIDO & KENDO? The History of the Two Katana Martial Arts of Japan

[@LetsaskShogo]

▼The BEST online katana shop for martial arts (Iaido, Kendo, etc.): Tozando▼ tozandoshop.com?sca_ref=2893299.hcDMfLw4P2 Everything I use for my katana training is bought at this shop! I still use the first training katana I bought in 2016, and it is still in good shape! ▼The recommended online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼ minikatana.com/SHOGO *Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link ▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼ kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoqyiXeGd7mqeZY ▼Related videos in this channel▼ -5 most frequently asked questions about katana swords answered by an iaido trainee in Kyoto, Japan! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4m4fayLeJ6ef68 -What are tsuba ring, tsuka-maki wrapping, and sageo string meant for? Their purposes then and today kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HWfWx3pdieaKM -What are the 3 main differences between katana for samurai & ninja? How Ninjato were actually used! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJWkaoiZpbl0iJI ▼MY DREAM▼ “To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in” I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more. ▼Join our Membership▼ kzbin.info/door/n7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVwjoin ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos -Weekly live stream -Priority reply to comments Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing. ▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ kzbin.info/door/ZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA Please subscribe!! The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼[For YOU traveling to Kyoto] Check out the "Kyoto Hidden Gems" that we introduce▼ kzbin.info/aero/PLpIWoYf9KNFU2YmZtyfKJi9-MCpycAPWy ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠I do not use e-mail）

[@chrisrafael8617]

My Sensei had an easy way of explaining this, "Iaido is drawing the sword and returning it to the sheath, Kendo is everything in between".

[@shanhavael2640]

Then you could also say that kenjutsu is both together.

[@animatoraoi3672]

Me who know nothing: Ooo new anime sword style

[@aclass1174]

Wow that's pretty cool

[@tantsuya3274]

that's really easy to understand wow thx

[@TheoCynical]

I love it!

[@juzzag069]

To sum up. If you want to master a katana. You need to perfect both disciplines. One for precision, the other for actual combat

[@Dragoninja35]

Well said buddy

[@SwordWieldingDuck]

Except kendo is 100% sport with too many artbitary rules. You should do kenjutsu for actual combat.

[@SwordWieldingDuck]

@@dovannik32 yes, i agree. Also wrestling makes it more interesting and fun.

[@jejelerider3278]

Not at all. Kendo is not usefull for actual combat (at least real samurai fight) because you will suicide yourself after doing a light cut. Kendo is now nowere near kenjutsu was. I practice the two. In kenjutsu you can strike wherever you want, a strong cut, and without being touch. In Kendo You have to TOUCH the first, at 3 points (head, torso wirst). If you are "stab 1 sec after you win. with a real katana you died after winning xD Ppl believe a katana is so much sharpen that you can cut in half without effort "manga style". In real life it asks strenght and a lot of technic to cut. So a kendo strike like we see in tournament will not be very effective.

[@krzysztofwozny9458]

@@SwordWieldingDuck So don't you just need to ignore the rules in a real combat situation?

[@Chrisiant]

I was introduced to iaido by Sensei Martin Hermanez, in Kissimmee, FL. Since I am in a wheelchair, he modified some of the strokes to make them possible for me.I truly enjoyed learning, but I am fairly sure I could not compete with my modified forms. I honor Sensei for making the art accessible for me.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

TRAINEE 1: For 5 years, I've been training in Iaido TRAINEE 2: For 5 years, I've been training in Kendo TRAINEE 3: For 5 years, I've been emptying Bento meals

[@C_Dunham]

ty

[@xdragon2k]

The path of Uncle Ben?

[@Rainbow_Oracle]

More like path of stuffing your face XD

[@Crazzydan2829]

🍱Ah the path of the sumo..🍱

[@Kletian999]

The following is a joke inspired by your little graphics. Iaido makes you look like an Anime protagonist, kendo makes you look like the faceless guards being cut down.

[@snipa298]

Though, it seems like it'd be the other way around once you put it into practice.

[@Flo00o4]

@@snipa298 With a bamboo sword?

[@cristhf6981]

@@Flo00o4 Musashi killed his first enemy with a Bokken (which is also used in Kendo) so yeah

[@icspps]

@@snipa298 no... youd still *look* like an anime protagonist. Operative word being, " *look* ." Now, unless you're able to dash 60 feet and execute a dozen lethal precision slashes faster than the blink of an eye, you won't be able to fight like one.

[@KaptainCanuck]

Kendo is samurai cosplay. Iaido is akin to learning the punches (and kicks) for combat. Learn the basics and then learn iaijutsu, the real sword combat, not playtime kendo.

[@katsukikasuyama5765]

You know it's a great day if shogo uploads Can't start my day without watching one

[@toupac3195]

Are master swordsmiths and ancient techniques still common?

[@C_Dunham]

yes

[@MCShvabo]

Not common but they do exist and are accessible.

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Many descendants are still alive and some have learned and teach their techniques.

[@richardmartin8998]

Many koryu styles of iaijutsu, battojutsu, and kenjutsu exist today and some are accessible to the wider public. However finding such a school can be hard. Your best option will likely be to find a club that does ZNKR iaido and koryu styles.

[@Crazzydan2829]

Swordsmithing would be the art I would give anything to learn. As I understand the masters of such skill are very few now.

[@mr.s.r.baxleyo.p.8481]

Thanks for this video. It was surprising in many ways. Just a wonderful presentation.

[@ryannadernejad2814]

I’ve always wants to learn Iaido but when would look for schools in my area. I would only find Kendo schools. I didn’t understand why there were no places where one could learn Iaido but after watching this video it all makes sense. Thank you.

[@stephenaitcheson6626]

Great explanation Shogo. I've seen Iaido practiced decades ago in Tokyo and always thought of it as an intense 'katana meditation'. I hope popularity increases for it, and I wish to become a student one day.

[@zazugee]

Kendo is no longer about the swords, maybe kenjitsu is about fighting with swords kendo is as much useful for swinging a sword as modern fencing

[@SwordWieldingDuck]

I would argue modern fencing actually more useful. Besides, HEMA exists.

[@thefaramith8876]

@@SwordWieldingDuck fencing is not better than kendo when it comes to usefulness.

[@KieranTong]

@@SwordWieldingDuck Good name for you. That was a salty response. Stay salty.

[@jjs3890]

Look up Gekkiken. It’s an exercise of kenjutsu and is where kendo comes from. It’s basically kendo with less rules and jujitsu blended in when appropriate.

[@RetroSmoo]

You still practice traditional kenjutsu in kendo no kata

[@nootnewt9323]

Just subscribed! Love your detailed explanations of Japanese culture. Hope you get to 100k subs

[@fryderykchopin3974]

Actually, in my dojo (kendo) kata is practiced every training for 30 minutes because my sensei finds it to be important to remember the roots of kendo.

[@thebigcheese3348]

How my sensei describes the differences between the two is that kendo is like paintball and iaido is like range shooting

[@Kampfender_Krieger]

Shogo: *uploads a video* Me: DAY MADE !!!

[@susanroberts7492]

Thank you for such a well organized, simple, yet thorough explanation of the 2 arts! I enrolled in an iaito class early this month to accompany a somewhat modified aikido class (due to Covid restrictions) I absolutely love this wonderful excursion into such a rich culture! I am EAGERLY waiting for the arrival of my first iaito while I train with a bokuto for now. Thanks, again Shgo for your concise and fascinating exploration on iaido and kendo. I am so glad you made this video!

[@JoeyMastropiero]

I can totally relate with the armor in summer being the worst part of Kendo, and the stink that comes with it, especially the Kote. At the end of training my hands smell like feet jajajajaa.

[@faustomadebr]

Hahahaha. I can relate... Imagine this in a country like Brazil.

[@JoeyMastropiero]

@@faustomadebr Buenos Aires is a literal concrete oven in summer, but Brazil is way hotter, can totally relate >.

[@faustomadebr]

@@JoeyMastropiero Oh! You are from Argentina!!! Off course you'd understand me, hermana!!!! :)

[@Dragoninja35]

@@faustomadebr my sensei who taught me kendo was the head sensei for the Brazilian kendo Olympic team 😆

[@faustomadebr]

@@Dragoninja35 Nice. Whats his name?

[@antoniobautista6718]

I swear every time there's a new vid from Shogo I'm always excited 😁

[@adaikonen]

I practice Muso shinden ryu style Iaido here in Finland. I just love the traditions of this art

[@imuraa]

Watching these videos just makes me wanna train kendo again.. I have been training kendo for 3 years before moving to another state which had no kendo dojos and now training kyokushin karate and boxing/muay Thai

[@heaveniridescence6993]

0:51 Has anyone else noticed the cartoon Iaido trainee character looks kind of like Shogo?

[@LetsaskShogo]

😮！

[@catdaddy8603]

Thank you for sharing that Shogo. While I've read some on the history of Iaido, I really had no clue about Kendo. My former sensei commented that, after WWII, Kendo was called "Shinai Sport" to minimize the combative nature of the art. When I was in that dojo shiai was highly discouraged and we really only trained amongst ourselves. Even our Iai was very insular and we never mixed with other schools. I've moved to a different, more convenient dojo, which is very shiai oriented. At the Honbu dojo they offer Seitei Iai which has some fundamental differences from the koryu that I learned. For Kendo dogu, I spray it down with isopropyl alcohol and fabreeze after every practice and the Men, Do and Tare are still pretty decent after 16 years even though I've gone through many Kote.

[@Priestbokmei1]

You’re videos are Shogo! Your voice is very relaxing and the content is very informative. Musashi, as the narrative goes, is reported to have killed nearly half of his 60 or so personal duels with a wooden sword (bokken). This suggests to me that the bokken can be studied as weapon in its own right apart (as is the hanbo) from the katana. Perhaps you could do a video on the bokken and the Quran hanbo in the future.

[@hunter5822]

2:46 iaido seems like a refinement of more than JUST a sword fighting style. It feels like a refinement of life style, where the samurai would always be ready to fight rather than either needing time to prepare with armor and stuff or carrying his weapon out all the time even when he isn’t under threat. Could also indicate a shift in Japanese culture over all. Valuing the “normally” clothed samurai over the armored one. Eh, I’m just speculating at some things with incomplete puzzle pieces right now, but decisions and cultural things don’t usually happen or change randomly... especially martial arts.

[@montagistreel]

I absolutely love how he structures every video, it's like everything you would want to know at this level and exactly where you have to go to find it

[@hugopetruspons]

I just recently discovered your channel and I'm enjoying each video a ton!! Thanks for the big effort you put in them. As for your goal, we're just starting February and you have already surpassed 60K, so I'de bet my savings you'll achieve it without even breaking a sweat. Keep going! :D

[@plentyofpaper]

I train in both kendo and Iaido. The points here are generally accurate, however, I subscribe to a different model. Kendo fundamentally boils down to the story of a duel. Two individuals agree to have a duel with katanas. There are never more people directly involved. Both sides come into the arena with adequate time to prepare, and refrain from combat until they are both in agreement that it is time for the duel to start. This story holds true for sparring, as well as all kendo kata. Iaido tells the story of being ambushed. Almost every kata involves one or more aggressors attacking the practitioner, who begins from a non-combat state (sword sheathed.) The practitioner then draws the sword, and takes all necessary steps to defeat the aggressors (in theory, preventing the attack through intimidation is best... but imaginary foes don't tend to cooperate.) At the end, the practitioner returns to a non-combat state with the sword sheathed. The katas I know of that tell a different story are kaishaku (assisting in sepukku) and a kata I haven't learned that involves distracting an enemy by tapping the sword on the ground in a different direction, then cutting him down. There may be a few others, particularly in different styles, but that is the overwhelmingly dominant story in Iaido. So in my view, one person training alone with an Iaito performing a kata with a single imaginary opponent where the sword is either initially drawn, or drawn but not as a cut, qualifies as kendo. Conversely, if 2 people in bogu walk into an arena, but instead of the usual sankyo ritual, one of them attacks the other, while the attacked one proceeds to counterattack that would be possible if a saya were present, I would call that Iaido. Even if it was completely unscripted and full contact. Any situation with more than 2 combatants, real or imaginary, where everybody begins with a sword drawn would be neither, but might qualify as kenjutsu (Which I am only vaguely acquainted with.) There's plenty of room to disagree with me on this, but I feel this model, though unconventional, really captures the essence of each martial art.

[@oldon5881]

Iai is the art of killing with a sword, kendo is the art of fighting with a sword. It's a subtle difference - different mindset. Koryu kata in iai are about attacking to kill an unaware opponent or responding to a sudden attack. Some are real life fighting scenarios that happened on the streets, passed down as samples of how to use the katana in those situations - someone is grabbing the saya from the back, attack a victim while avoiding / going under a barrier, taking out and cutting while your back is on a wall etc.

[@plentyofpaper]

@Soul of a robot Short version: Kendo =Dueling Iaido = Self Defense "Brawling" is a terrible description for any martial art. Iaido is an extra bizarre martial art to describe that way.

[@fatehruzman9280]

From my view, your point make sense a lot. One for ambush counter while kendo used to fight head on.

[@SpecJack15]

@@plentyofpaper As a kenjutsu trainee, I'd add that Kenjutsu = Warfighting against more than a lone opponent. People often liken it to Kendo, but as you see Kenjutsu matches they are rather different. For one, Kendo scoring is strictly limited to the Men, Tsuki, Kote and Do zones whereas Kenjutsu has more valid strike zones, and you are allowed to use unconventional techniques in Kenjutsu (i.e. using the scabbard) to land a hit on your opponent as compared to Kendo.

[@plentyofpaper]

@@SpecJack15 Thanks for the input. I'm glad to hear my guesswork about the multiple combat ready opponent opponent scenario seems to match up with your understanding.

[@daniellopezmendez3849]

The last explanation was very useful.

[@MateusDrake]

The content of the video is always interesting, but the organization with which it is presented is always perfect. It's so concise.

[@TheModernRiot]

I didn't even know there was a difference! 😳 I learned so much!

[@namazuryusshugyo5214]

thank you for the easy to understand history provided for both arts! definitely made it easier to visualize how these arts come from!

[@merveduru]

The meaning of "Iai" is very interesting 🌸 Please make a video about this philosophy 🙏

[@jkvirus308]

I really love this! Please teach us more about katanas nowadays and also blacksmiths? Can you also talk about crafts in Kyoto?

[@spydkiss]

as always, an amazing video with a superb explanation only shogo can deliver. much love from your fan in the Philippines! ossu!

[@anahata8870]

quite a busy may, it seem this channel has grown a little, we like to congratulate.

[@SanseriIIDX]

Thanks for your explanation. It gives a lot of insight to those who have neither practiced iaido or kendo. In the back of my mind I’ve questioned the suffixes such as “-jyutsu” and “-do”. Thanks for clarifying that.

[@ramcymendoza2381]

I appreciate the very thorough and detailed information in all of your videos. By the way, there is a small verbal typo at 13:14. The word that was said was "Kendo" but "Iaido" was the text on the presentation. Thank you for your videos!

[@hitorideronin]

The omake talk was grate, I finally understood what Iai means and it makes a lot of sense. Thank you!!!

[@jonathanowen9917]

Really helpful contrast between these two sword arts. The follow up discussion on jutsu vs do and iai was enlightening.

[@shorteststraw417]

Just found your channel trying to find videos on kendo. I'm about to start training kendo and want to know as much about it as I can. Your presentation and personality are top notch! Subscribed! :)

[@davidl5452]

Wonderful explanation as always. Thank you for the hard work you put into these videos. We appreciate the detailed insight into Japanese culture.

[@esside8688]

Saya no uchi de katsu. Thank you for this information. It re-instills the lessons I learned. I am a Black belt and teacher in a style of Iaido in USA. Due to a medical issue I am not able to teach anymore. It is one style that I miss being able to do.

[@blakmajk3512]

Thank you, Sensei!

[@jacobferrell1812]

You speak english very well and i respect you for learning the language. Ty for the history lectures.

[@creeperjames2235]

shogo's voice is really relaxing

[@galbadorix]

I was thinking of buying a katana and your video made it crystal clear what I should take into account when I decide to do it! ありがとうございました

[@conabraham1653]

Pugay! Thank you very much for granting my request of telling us about Iaido... And more than that, a comprehensive one to tops. Bless your endeavors on your channel.

[@imaginator85]

Fantastic refresher of the basics! Thank you! I am a private Kung Fu teacher but one of my students really wants me to teach him Iai which I studied about 15 years ago. I'll really need to dust off my skills in order to teach! ありがとうございました！

[@Bruno-kk3yk]

I'm never tired of watching your videos. Thanks for the good and well planned content!

[@arayagarner2291]

I really appreciate your videos on Japan's culture. ❤

[@fulviozuccolin9166]

Kendo for my viewpoint, is much more what you can do with the body. Laidò is much more what you can do as a soul😊

[@temporalinsanity]

very interesting. i studied iaido for about 5yrs also, but in america. we switched it up between an iaito and a bokken. mostly iaito, but sometimes i used a bokken to help make my arms stronger.

[@wiryawibisana5888]

Sensei, i love your english its so listenable

[@chamamemestre]

One can kill you, the other gives you points. This is it. No more meaning. Also Iaido should always be complemented with Jodo whenever possible for sparring too. Also...13:30 100 thousand subscribers? I thought the goal was 2 million! :D

[@myguitardidyermom212]

One hasn't been used on live opponents in centuries, the other has live sparring against another person as a central component. I'd take the kendoka in a fight

[@l-b284]

Arigato, Shogo, well done video! I am very interested in learning more about these disciplines. I was born in Japan, and want to know so much more about the culture and arts. Appreciate the omake (BTW your English is great!).

[@philiptruitt]

Thank you!

[@lanphan3726]

Keep up the good work, Shogo! Your experience growing up in America and Japan is a great insight on the Japanese society for me and many other to understand!

[@Titi-zm7gr]

This channel is the best, keep up the awesome work at teaching ppl about such amazing culture!!!

[@corujariousa]

Thanks for another interesting video! I appreciate the organized approach you use.

[@joelewis3634]

Great video

[@arnoldpelin2516]

Yeh my japanese friend kojiro atsuta from wakayam he was a kendo practitioner when he was a high school and learned karate and now aikido

[@daniperez8074]

Hey thank you for this. The way you present info is very easy to retain

[@gagamushin6853]

Arigato sensei for the video ❤️

[@bigsidable]

Thank for a awesome clarification.

[@Blueflamey]

I really like this format, there's a summary/TL;DR (or DW) part. Very informative, thanks! I hope you reach your goal.

[@TheL96]

Well summarized👍🏽... Concise and to the point... That's a subscribe in my books... Great work, keep them coming

[@jedsanford7879]

your videos and personality are great I really enjoy them, thank you.

[@anaideviveiros6597]

Awesome, very clear! Now I get the difference. Here in Brazil kendo dojos are popular, but I've never seen a iaido one...

[@jaspate7132]

Great video. Love love and appreciate you.

[@juniorjimenez72]

Loved the video, thank you for explaining it in such a simple way. I'd like to hear more, specifically about kenjutsu.

[@anutoms3349]

Sensei your video is very informative Thank yo

[@averystar16]

Iaido is drawing the sword. Kendo is everything after the sword is drawn. Basically Iaido=Draw art. Kendo=Slash art

[@R.D.S.Productions]

Sweet video! Thanks from Oklahoma!

[@whitefrost8296]

Loved your video! You should make a podcast out of the "Omake " talks because they are so peacefull to listen to ^^

[@senpaikeebs]

So basically if I wanna fight like anime characters I have to learn both 😂

[@fakemoviesrealtrailers7737]

I'm self-taught in Iaido, been training with a bokken and a live blade. Only suffered injury twice.

[@kanubeenderman]

great info, thanks!

[@arturoalvarezkawai6773]

Really liked this one. A while ago I read a book on iaido by a Japanese author, and he explained that this martial art was mostly practiced by older people who didn't have the energy to keep practicing judo or other more physical martial arts, just like you mention in your video. He presented iaido as a way to settle down and focus on meditation and on mental / spiritual skills. However, I found in my country (Bolivia) two very small groups that practice iaido. It surprised me to find all of them were young people. Unfortunately, upon close examination, I discovered that these people are what we call "otakus": people infatuated with Japanese culture. How well their technique was, I couldn't say, but don't hold high hopes.

[@donsimons9810]

interesting- thanks for sharing. Young kids think that part looks cool in anime. Cutting a candle, etc

[@spacewargamer4181]

So little is needed to dissapoint you that nothing important is even needed.

[@vertexlila9384]

Me encanta tu canal. Muchas gracias por la explicación tan clara. Pura vida

[@Ryan_theHashira179]

I love katanas ,they are my favourite type of sword.that’s why I want to train in iaido

[@z.4_life]

Bro tbh when I read the title before I clicked on the video I was like "The differences is one uses a katana and the other uses a kendo stick ofc"

[@liquidchaos66]

I was just wondering about how many Iaido trainers there were. I’ve been looking for one I my hometown and luckily found 2! Looking forward to starting my training :)

[@yuhtanizawa7686]

Amazing video!

[@stefanopagliuca1591]

I would have made a video with the differences between the old and the modern version of a single kind of art. Kenjutsu vs Kendo or Iaijutsu vs iaido.

[@gunjinrieper4062]

Dang the Sakamori Taigo (酒盛大剛) got me laughing 😆

[@LetsaskShogo]

I couldn't help but laugh too😂

[@dzl8596]

Great video! I'm going to Kyoto next week and hopefully will buy my first iaito.

[@marinos9985]

Another informative video! Amazing job shogo!

[@stephanb.3342]

How interesting! Thank you.

[@zazugee]

I started training batto and notto using a sword that looks like a katana, but it's actually a hybrid african blunt sword, it can be sharpned, but i won't sharpen it i'm did get better at it, but i'm not really consistent with training, bc i'm doing it solo ^^;

[@Prometheus_Williams]

Incredible Chanel, so glad to be here.

[@luxstellaelunae]

I've started Kenjutsu training and I hope the Iaido part won't be skipped

[@lostinveda]

very informative! thanks

[@spaceman9599]

I hope to be able to train in Iaido and Kyudo at some point

[@topa1798]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I never heard Iaido before.thank you for sharing the knowledge 😍

[@yahyam8517]

I'm hoping we got 100k subs by 2022, Yet, here we are with 300k+ subs in November 2021, I guess good content is what everyone needs

[@KRANOS444]

The best samurai channel ever

[@vondbee7091]

Love tour enunciation!

[@justsee333]

thanks mann learned alot

[@KF1]

Fascinating stuff. Great presentation

[@brianbushue2997]

another great video