Iaido② - The Martial Art of Drawing the Sword

We present a special feature on the practice of Iaido, the martial art of drawing swords. Iaido is based around a series of kata, or forms, which developed as swordsmen sought efficient ways of felling an opponent with a single blow. We visit the All-Japan Iaido Demonstration to find out more about the meaning of the kata and the philosophy behind this traditional discipline.

[@prot07ype87]

*When you were out partying, I studied the blade.*

[@kurarai5136]

Wot ur pfp

[@victorrubahimbya1124]

That my friend is what they call DEDICATION

[@liminalb1rds158]

Sounds what the quiet kid would say

[@lilosnitch3247]

Little that u know, they were partying with blades

[@alspheraticpacket7307]

*”When you were sharpening your sword I was out building my army”*

[@tseringnamgail1453]

Me and my imaginary enemy having intense fight while some imaginary audience saying I can't see their movement they are too fast.

[@redskullfire706]

lol we watch to much anime XD

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Man...

[@connorjensen9699]

everyone here bashing the guy for being white like that has any effect on his knowledge of the art

[@braydenfariss9127]

But the first thing he said was wrong lol idk about any of the rest of it, but samurai commit seppuku with a blade that doesn’t have a handle because then it’s a tool instead of a weapon

[@connorjensen9699]

@@braydenfariss9127 Its definitely not true that they would only use a blade with no handle, might be a regional or temporary thing that was done though. You can look at period art to see they pretty much always had a handle. They weren't always depicted as holding it by the handle though, but thats not the same thing as actually not having a handle.

[@jbillion]

There's nothing wrong with pointing out the juxtaposition of a Japanese woman asking a white guy about japanese culture. It's pretty funny to look at regardless of how knowledgeable he is.

[@connorjensen9699]

​@@jbillion in concept I agree. however the predominant undertone with that statement is that he's lesser than someone who looks like the "authentic" race regardless of actual expertise. So unless people specify that their statement is not meant to carry that, then that's how they should expect people to take it. Also the comments are filled with this sort of observation - but its such a really uninteresting and obvious comment. It's like saying "wow the guy who's playing this hurdy gurdy isn't a 14th century minstrel wearing a stereotypical feathered hat?? I must write home immediately!" Did you actually expect literal feudal era samurai to be teaching you about swords on the telly?

[@johnbeard3733]

@@connorjensen9699 Well said, and spot on. Thank you

[@stevewright4576]

Nonsense. He is 100% authentic. Perfect performance. I had a black Taekwando master tell me that the Korean masters would beat the fuck out of him, then dismiss him, and mystified when he would show up again to be literally beaten again, until they respected him.

[@410cultivar]

He was wrong about the grove in the sword. It's or weight reduction. That's all. And for knowing the edge is aligned in practice/training

[@michaelbedsole970]

Been practicing iaido for about 14 years. Actually, the groove running down the blade... called "hi" (HE) in Japanese... or the fuller in English... is not there to make it easier to remove the blade from the opponent's body. It's simply there to remove weight from the blade without sacrificing strength. Not all Japanese swords have those grooves (mine doesn't).

[@joebloggs5318]

Thank you! Finally somebody who actually knows something.

[@michaelbedsole970]

@Madolite The purpose of the fuller is to remove weight. It can also be an ascetic as well. I highly doubt it has anything to do with pulling the sword out of a body. I disagree that katana are heavier than European blades. It all depends on the individual sword.

[@JC-XL]

Yes, the function of the fuller is weight-saving (structural) or to say it in another way - allows you to have a wider spine of the blade that makes it more resistant to bending to the sides without all of the added weight for that. But the easier pulling out of an opponent does have some merit as well - the idea is that it allows for air to go in as you're pulling the blade out of a stabbed opponent. Unfortunately we can't make tests on corpses any more to confirm that theory, but I think just twisting the blade slightly to the side should also allow air to go in, so I'm not 100% on this one.

[@mcordnas]

it feels weird, like a german showing you how to make a taco

[@beepot2764]

sandro gasca garnica if he made legitimately awesome tacos, I wouldn't mind. I mean I've been to Mexican restaurants ran by Hispanic people and have been woooah disappointed in the food I received lol.

[@luminate4419]

Or a mexican making chinese food in a chinese buffet.

[@Pork_eating_crusader]

Or an austrian telling the germans what's best for germany.

[@user-cp3ju2fz4z]

There are good Tacos in Germany where ?

[@azizhanyn417]

Yes you're right I had the same feeling at the first. But when you think of it as a knowledge that can be taught to other humans you'll understand that it's a privilege .

[@user-up4kk3lk1b]

日本刀から日本の武士道が世界に拡がる事は嬉しく思います。ただの人を傷つける武器ではなく精神鍛錬として拡がりますように❗

[@telecastersRthebest]

So this is how Hawkeye became Ronin.

[@ignoremeimnoone1961]

God I needed a laugh 😆

[@pacmiller7564]

This comment is so underrated 😂😂😂

[@potatogaming4663]

You won the internet my dude

[@rencarlos5683]

Hahaha

[@potatogaming4663]

@Foster chance Ronin is actually Hawkeye's "second nickname". Hawkeye became "Ronin" after some events i ain't going to spoil. The comment wasn't saying that he became an actual ronin The comment makes sense

[@sophiaperennis2360]

Imagine telling Hōnen he didn't have a right to be a Buddhist because he wasn't form India.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Omg pls play Für elise

[@kickpublishing]

Is this off a shopping channel? Has that vibe

[@TheLiamis]

The President of The Internet has the same lack of sword knowledge also.

[@fleepss2407]

"Call within the next 30 minutes and we'll send you a second Japanese samurai sword for FREE!"

[@razgrizace8720]

JESUS HAHAHAHAHA

[@whatsgoingon07]

Order now and we’ll throw in Narutos hidden leaf ninja headband for only $19.95!!

[@watro1]

Well done. Nicely filmed Kata. Great focus, definitely a practitioner with years of experience. Thank you for posting it.

[@victorrubahimbya1124]

God bless the Japanese Arts ....very intricate discipline and elegant style

[@puppyday1350]

Alex has 7 dan, excellent Kendo fighter, I've never seen more than 5 dan fighter when I was in the L.A. Greetings from Tokyo.

[@davidscoltock3970]

It's fascinating how similar European martial arts where in regards to the sword. The Europeans used thier own version if katas, set movements and positions combined with a spiritual significance

[@irfannurhadisatria2540]

well duh, human body biomechanics are the same worlds over. Although the Europeans and Japanese vanishing feudal warriors and flourishing early modern duelling culture are unique, yes.

[@joebloggs5318]

Not sure who told you that. HEMA has drills and flourishes but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing a kata. Are you thinking of the Meyer diagram?

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

@@joebloggs5318 well, to my understanding, katas/forms is basically just another word for drills.

[@zincite4554]

居合って、日本人でも中々、作法とか、究極を追求する事に時間が掛かるし、かけるのだけど、言葉が解らない、言葉のニュアンスが掴みきれないとか、多分有る中でお稽古するのはとても大変だと思います。 流派は違いますが、私もやっています。試験にも外国人の方を多く見かける様になりました。 見ていて嬉しく思います。 ありがとうございます。

[@rf_earth]

yes u right especially that part ける様になりました

[@jonathanlayug3674]

A respect in japanese culture and learning thier swordsman ship is way fascinating he may be studied a lot about japanese history and culture im a filipino guy also but i really love japanese culture and their swords only originates in their country and history i really love it

[@code066funkinbird3]

Same I also like their anime and manga

[@arashkhoshghadamnia376]

beautiful. authentic and awesome. knowledge and skills are for all human beings. it doesn't matter who or where. where soccer was first invented and played doesn't matter. it made its way to South America and now after centuries we witness some teams winning the world cup I wouldn't imagine 30 years ago. Not all teckwando or karate champions Japanese. great work, master Benette.

[@Necroxion]

"You can't use a shield" Technically correct. Japanese warfare was primarily oriented toward ranged weapons such as the bow and arrow. Thus, they needed shields that could be wielded at the same time as a bow and arrow. This came into two categories: a platform in front of the bowman for cover (technically a small siege engine if you will), or those shoulder plates on samurai armor. Now, if you'll notice a small weakness in fighting with bows and arrows, it's that entire swarms of enemies rushing tend to get some baddies too close for comfort. From there, japanese people ditched their larger swords in favor of two types of melee weapons: something long and stabby, or something short and quick to draw. Iaido evolved from the latter need.

[@jonnyninja]

Thank you, it was a pleasure to watch your demo

[@kimpark1656]

Thank you. Iaido is a precious Joy. ❤️

[@VicariousReality7]

1:44 孫子兵法 For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill

[@springarrow6994]

VicariousReality7 孙子曰：百战百胜，非善之善者也；不战而屈人之兵，善之善者也。故上兵伐谋，其次伐交，其次伐兵，其下攻城。

[@smittysmith6173]

VicariousReality7 I understand this video is old but I’ll add this. My Grandfather was a professional warrior for 30 years and in his older age told me that the only way to utterly destroy an enemy it to make him your friend.

[@windghost2]

@@smittysmith6173 That's deep.

[@maxk5065]

@@smittysmith6173 and then you can stab him in the back easily, smart move indeed!

[@joebloggs5318]

@@smittysmith6173 As a swordsman I can tell you that's complete rubbish. Forget thoughts of destruction you only need to kill your enemy.

[@tiffsaver]

This guy may be white, but he has the soul of a samurai.

[@xorohede]

You're fucking hilarious….thank you I needed the laugh.

[@purpleprinc3]

White boy martial arts is the best.

[@firebembum4751]

Man doesnt even know that shields existed in Japan

[@sake5065]

tiffsaver what a bout me I train with kitanas at jk lee and know a lot about martial arts (I’m black)

[@firebembum4751]

@@sake5065 I dont think you know anything about "keetanahs" bro but that's just me

[@mstuomel]

Thank you for a great video! Nicely shot.

[@blackmamba3427]

Amazing art.

[@j.d.4697]

Well, to become an expert, you need a lot of studying and dedication. What culture you are originally from doesn't necessarily matter and most people barely understand their own culture.

[@czane1526]

6:30 when he’s trying to find his belt for ten minutes

[@calenmoskowitz5360]

Helpful, concise treatise on Katana swordsmanship.

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Very interesting and worthwhile video.

[@Personmr]

"primary bladed weapon" that would be the naginata. the katana, like most western swords, was used as a backup weapon on the battlefield. the katana had much significance to the samurai but the bow and pole arms were what got the most kills.

[@DtWolfwood]

+Personmr funny the curved spears get all the spot light when the straight spear was the most prevalent weapon in history. the Yari gets no love. Just like how the Guan Dao is famous and the Qiang is relegated to obscurity. Halberd to the Pike spear. No appreciation for the simple pointed stick lol

[@Personmr]

DtWolfwood when i said pole arm i was including the yari.

[@Raao1]

Monty Python self defence sketch "what if he attacks me with a pointed stick"?

[@IsaacChoo88]

because people love curves!

[@prabshiro]

Personmr Incorrect ! the sword was the most primary weapon. The samurai did not just fight on the battlefield !! everyday use or need was the shinken.

[@artinhjollder4779]

The most profound budo (martial way), A straight path for achieving Fudoshin (immovable spirit) for the mind always stands on the edge between life and death Definitely an authentic spiritual heritage for the mankind

[@TheJayman318]

Wow! Great demonstration!!

[@joseramon2724]

Respect for tradition. Awesome

[@Libertariandude]

I practice Savate, Krav Maga and Centre Axis Relock and the one thing I noticed about these katas is that all the movements are designed to kill. One can make the argument that Iaido maybe one of the first reality-based martial arts. I am most impressed with the demonstration.

[@edtokyoscreenwriter239]

The voiceover guy: A) Doesn't understand what he's talking about. B) Can not read without sounding like a self-conscious robot. Other than that, he's great.

[@karissabrady5862]

Maybe he is saying itnlike that so english speaking japanese find it easier to listen to

[@BrumEldar]

Agree, these so called "martial arts experts" are no experts by any mean

[@lobanarkanaveros3880]

Amazing control!😍

[@kangleinganba_official]

What an epic video!

[@whitetiger3038]

I do all cuts with a smile it's more uplifting

[@Aloksheoran]

Psychiatrist approved

[@efisgpr]

LMFAOOOOO

[@petepsy]

I give my ukulele a name, he's called Harvey, but I'd never use him in a sword fight.

[@KermXe]

Fred Smith naice m8

[@pyrrehraus6571]

You could conceal a hammer or axe inside it so that it becomes a hybrid tool

[@noctismortis7349]

@@pyrrehraus6571 maybe you could conceal a toothpick, but nothing bigger

[@pyrrehraus6571]

never underestimate the toothpick

[@pistazieneis415]

and what about in an ukulele fight? you know, to see if you play it better than the enemy :p

[@MrEdium]

I like his definition of "All or Nothing."

[@mrfoxydoodles]

well this was a reversal i wasnt ready for

[@dylancan69]

For those who think you have to be japanese to master iado or kendo , Sasuke the legendary BLACK samurai...look em up

[@wolfgangyoung6309]

I wonder why the guy demonstrating the Iaido katas looks like he's about to burst into tears the entire time.

[@takilaki9701]

He like a bloodthirsty person once he draw his sword 😅 am I right..

[@hectorugo13]

+Wolf Lupke I didn't think he was going to cry, I was crying because he is the humanisation of grumpy cat

[@wolfgangyoung6309]

omg so true.

[@flipknuckle]

+Wolf Lupke Have a look at Japanese paintings of Samurai and watch other Japanese Iaido people and you will see they all do it ,,,I do

[@kingcrimson3687]

Wow i can feel the tension. that is what i called skill

[@guglielmo_nature_photography]

This western Is pretty good, its hard to find westerners this precise 🤔

[@flipknuckle]

Its ok to touch the blade, so long as you re-oil it later, I have trained in japan and it is not a critical thing over there,, if you want to take it to that degree, he also failed to cut somebody to make sure the sword drew blood after it left the saya, another western myth. Blood grooves or Hi are for many reasons all acceptable providing they are, weight, air, and flow. Some say the groove is for beginners so they can hear the blade whistle during a perfect cut, its said a master does not need a blade with a HI as he knows his cuts are perfect, its all myth and legend anyone can use a sword with or without a Hi. My sword has Hi and my cuts are far from perfect even at 4th Dan. Iaido is a lifetime practice ,,as my Sensei says that he at 8th dan grand master is only just begining. The vid demo had the practitioner place the sword with the Tsuka to the right when it should be to the left,,I guess nerves being on camera.

[@MatiasAlric]

+mike little I KNEW IT! I thought he did it on purpose (placing the sword the other way), maybe his ritual was different than the one we practice (in pakua), but now you confirm my theory haha. Thanks.

[@sashali5706]

mike little thanks for yr clever comments May I add that the blade should be facing towards him not to the outside... is it correct? Wonder why he committed these blunders Also touching the blade is simply incorrect manner of handling the sword!!! One must never touch it unless you wear gloves or have blade resting on tanegushi ( cotton cloth)... Otherwise interesting performance He is kiwi and it's down under so maybe that's why stupid mistakes...:):):)

[@TheLiamis]

The hi is called a fuller in the West and like western swords it's purely to reduce blade weight without making the blade weaker.

[@blacksnow150]

@@TheLiamis yep it works like an " H beam " in construction ,to keep rigidity while reducing weight

[@texanmartialarts]

Mike is correct you will touch your blade while holding some positions and safely putting the sword in the sheath. You don't look down at it you do it all by feel. You are suppose to wipe and oil your sword after each use. Also the blade when it is on you is facing up. You turn it out right before you draw your weapon.

[@levidillon6774]

When you think it’s weird having a white guy teaching about samurais but then you realize that there was a African samurai

[@Giagantus]

Yep his name was Yasuke

[@oyxnova4519]

Ma boy Yasuke

[@mr.meowgi9876]

Technically speaking a european longsword could destroy a katana and double edge makes it more versatile only thing the katana has over a longsword is speed

[@azuri...]

@Michael Terrell II Lmao Ok Miyamoto Musashi

[@snowtail1951]

@Michael Terrell II I disagree. Don't get me wrong, I love katana, but technically speaking, longsword is technically better. Not because "Oh, Europe's better than Asia" or "lol, stupid weeb, I have god on my side," but because of why either was made. Katana was made for cutting down opponents who didn't exactly have armor, or if they did, they had open spots you can hit. The Japanese honestly didn't use swords nearly as much as people assume, at least not on a battlefield. They were used, but more as a backup and not a choice weapon; that would be the Naginata, which aside from weight, size and occasional awkwardness was pretty much better in every way. The longsword, however, was made for attacking at, well, a longer distance than the average sword. And it was designed to be used against European armor, which was frankly much more effective than Japanese armor (but doesn't look nearly as cool). While it wasn't exactly heavier than katana, it was still nonetheless longer, which undoubtedly gives it some advantage, it was also double edged, which made it easier to slice compared to katana. Now, would a man with a longsword *always* win in a fight with someone with katana? No. *Could* he win? Yes. Really, it depended on the equipment and skill of the people fighting. A samurai with katana and full armor fighting inexperienced some guy with a longsword and nothing else would always win the fight, no doubt. And vice versa; a knight with a longsword and armor fighting some inexperienced guy with katana would always win the fight. Now, a trained samurai with katana vs a trained knight with longsword? Depends on their tactics and surroundings. Really, anything could happen, it's not one sided. However, the main disadvantage the samurai would face was both his inferior armor and the type of weapon he has; a longsword would have little trouble damaging Japanese armor, and the other way around for the samurai; his sword would have very much trouble damaging the knights armor, which has little to no open spots and is mostly metal; the katana, being a single edged blade meant for cutting, would be very weak against European heavy armor. Of course, the Samurai has one very big advantage over European knights when you really think; not his skill with the blade, not his speed, nah. The *real* advantage a samurai has over a European knight is that they're specialized in mounted archery. If this was a real battle, a samurai would likely not take any chances and just ride around the knight, shooting him over and over with heavy arrows with a very powerful yumi. *TL:DR* Katana ≤ longsword < yumi Boom. Facts.

[@rupomhundred395]

Mr. Bennett is indeed very skilled.

[@davereid-daly2205]

Excellent .....

[@dragoncarver287]

"to assist in pulling your sword from an opponent" I don't think so. The groove was to reduce the weight of the sword without losing strength. Think of an I-beam and why it is that shape, and where its used. I think of all the animals I have stuck an knife into and never had any trouble taking them back out again. So... I will edit this... just saw the same comments below. lol

[@davidirving4138]

I know bayonets have blood gutters

[@joebloggs5318]

@@davidirving4138 They are called FULLERS!!!!! They are to stiffen and strengthen the blade so it doesn't bend or snap when driving into something.

[@torataulapapa4011]

Is not the hi for weight reduction? And a perfect slash will whistle even without hi?

[@BushidoDevilDog]

+Tora TAULAPAPA Yes..and yes!

[@highlander200268]

bohi makes it a light cutter, generally less niku for cutting, a nohi version is usually a heavy cutter with thicker niku

[@TheLiamis]

Tora TAULAPAPA correct. It's called a fuller in the West. It lightens the sword without weakening it. As with katana western swords came with and without fullers/hi.

[@AhsokaSnipz]

The guy explaining is super energetic lmao he sounds like he's trying to pitch a stellar Iaido class deal lmao

[@hansg6336]

Aussie shows deep respect for the martial traditions of a different culture.

[@MCShvabo]

Kiwi* But yes, ye is the best!

[@Kungen940127]

Interesting that his sword is in Tachi koshirae and not Katana. And yes, I know that the position of the Mei is what truly defines a sword as Tachi or Katana. But still, it's odd that his sword has Tachi mountings. Would it be that he maybe uses it with a full armour on?

[@jort93z]

I disagree with his reason for the hi. That sounds very much like a myth to me more than anything else. Possibly spread by warriors that know how to fight, but know little about the physics of a sword. Or maybe they knew it but wanted it to sound cooler when someone asked them about it. A hi, along with any western fuller, has the main reason to make the blade lighter(generally a sword weighted more towards the handle is prefered) and stiffer. Hold a piece of paper on one end, it'll flop right down. then fold that piece of paper several times in one direction(you should get something that resembles an accordion somewhat) and it will be a lot stiffer along those "ridges". Same thing happens with a blade. Thats a lot more relevant. a blade with a fuller is usually something like 20% lighter, and at the same time just as strong and stiffer. So naturally any swordsmith would want one since theres no real benefits of not using one(unless you want your sword to be heavy, unwieldy and flexible, which is usually not the case)

[@harpomarx7777]

Exactly correct.

[@joebloggs5318]

Weighted towards the handle is preferred? Who told that load of crap? Swords have what they call the point of balance. The further back better a sword is for thrusting. The further forward the better for cutting. This thing about a sword being perfectly balanced is Dungeons and Dragons fanboy bullshit. A katana needs a point of balance quite far forward because the style is 90% based on cutting.

[@KoinzellGaming]

I can understand the methodology of Kata's as they're a sequence of movements with the intention of dealing with different situations. But I like it if the kata's represent the situation that they're used in. They need to be swift and precise. From what I've seen they've focused everything on precision, but the movements themselves are slow as hell. I am one of the people who respects the hell out of Japanese martial arts and the fighting styles they created, but just like Kendo, this seems more like a sport than anything else. You look at HEMA and the moves shown are usually done quickly similar to how it was in the past. But these Iaido kata's are simply there to look pretty, at least from what I saw of the "competition".

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

ZNKR iaido or any modern iaido style is just there to teach kendo practitioners how to swing a real sword, that's why it looks too "eye candy". Now you look at Toyama-ryu iai, the school was used to train sword techniques for soldiers in ww2, you would see they actually move with speed + precision for iai practice and actual sparring with steel blade for kenjutsu practice like in HEMA. You might also want to look at Katori Shinto Ryu (Otake branch) too, the oldest school that teach feudal time battlefield techniques, no eye candy slow mo movements at all

[@DartsGondel]

I can tell, it is all about the sound. That drives the addiction.

[@dominykaszakrys3373]

When you play too much Nioh...

[@wakalaska]

...Or Sekiro Tsushima die Twice

[@voltgaming2213]

Or ghost of tsushima

[@zosasho8036]

@@wakalaska *Shadows

[@sharkbcn]

America : The Martial Art of Drawing the Gun

[@KhoaNguyen-rk9dz]

a m e r i c a

[@jackarrows1436]

Sword sound music is cool🗡️

[@Sepuku78]

The ritual suicide is called “seppuku”, and “harakiri” is a harsh word for actual cutting of the stomach.

[@mikefule330]

All these people saying never touch the blade with your fingers. Swords are robust. They were designed to touch your opponent's liver and kidneys. We have this wonderful idea of the Samurai as having all these deeply spiritual rituals, but they were just warriors, same as knights or vikings. I'm sure that day to day they treated their weapons with care, but not with the exaggerated reverence that comes from modern sensibilities.

[@joebloggs5318]

It's done mostly to stop getting rust marks on the blade is all, a purely cosmetic thing. A lot of longer swords include techniques where you grab either your own blade or your opponent's.

[@user-mb1zb6iu5j]

As noted by Joe Bloggs, touching the blade with your fingers will leave traces of oil, acids and humidity. The finger prints will make the Katana blades rust since they are made of black steel. It's time consuming and hard work to clean the blades properly and oil them. The blade I own is more expensive than my car. Of course, I don't want to have a trace of a finger print on it.

[@gypsysnowwolf2313]

Some of these comments. Smh

[@joostborst]

0:26 a tanto is just the blade shape. You can make a 2 cm tanto blade or a 2 meter tanto sword.

[@runargjabellson1229]

Love how they used music from the live action Rurouni Kenshin movies.

[@kempo79]

Dude... European knights also treated their swords with respect. Those swords had names too, you know. To loose a sword was to loose knight's honor.

[@ivantodorov9052]

That was in the time when knights still had honor tho.

[@pearce7709]

Ivan Todorov haha when did knight ever have honor maybe after raping the women if a tiny village with a bunch of merceanaries in War XD btw im not saying that Samurai had any honor either they were just as disgusting

[@ivantodorov9052]

Aparently you never studied history or you lack the braincells required to understand it

[@purpleprinc3]

I named my shield after a women I knew, 'Rosetta' because like my shield no man was able to penetrate her.

[@pyrrehraus6571]

@@purpleprinc3 too small or muscly?

[@dschulz5647]

Nurse - So what did you spend your life doing?" Me on my deathbed - "I learned to wave a sword... perfectly."

[@TheSixxxgunzz]

Awesome

[@MepsterCZ]

Awesome..

[@therealsantiqui8901]

IRONY

[@constantinbarbu.]

in all the land you didnt find a japanese guy?

[@Elias.M92]

Don’t be racist bro, that white guy has also the right to be a master of the sword and teach it. We should be glad that this is happening today and the world is knowing each other's cultures, and being more and more open about it.

[@Nurg1982]

that gent is a 7th dan Kendo master fyi, and speaks English as a native speaker from NZ.

[@Elias.M92]

@Not You How is it disrepect ?

[@koontz1154]

@Not You that is an ignorant statement

[@kansairobot2015]

Why would you need one?

[@ninas1702]

Respect to the Sword and the Wielder.

[@pascalbroquet8593]

Verry interressant really meditative. As I am lefthand, how can I learn Iado

[@foilhattiest1]

"Imaginary enemies... don't cut back"

[@Chopperdragon39]

hmm, I wonder what my life would have been like if I was born Japanese.

[@maxk5065]

same life but smaller dick

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Same life, or even worse as an unemployed NEET because this is not feudal time

[@Chopperdragon39]

@@jaketheasianguy3307 I'm homeless and unemployed rn

[@sophiaperennis2360]

Life in Japan is no picnic there's a reason so many people go die in that forest. Modern world is the same everywhere.

[@254trojan]

Wow this red one katana 0:38 looks amazing !! The design is outstanding. Anyone know where I can buy same or at least similar one ?

[@DiamondWhite1991]

Cause u can costomize your Catana there

[@BibtheChib]

1:56 this guy is also a master kyudokai right? Big respect.

[@KiriouSs]

i think this documentary is called "the last laidomaster"

[@kdolo1887]

yeah. no other culture ever revered swords. its not like Vikings ever named their swords or anything

[@murkwithasmirk6877]

Yeah vikings were pretty cool with the way they treated their weapons. They used animal bones in their forging because they thought the spirit would help them in battle, making the worlds first version of steel

[@jadekayak01]

@@murkwithasmirk6877 bullshit Historical records prove black africans produced the first STEEL

[@blockobutter]

@@jadekayak01 Wasn't it Mesopotamia and then later the Chinese with cast iron?

[@topgears7775]

Vikings sailed to syria and persia and bought swords and back again! They never made swords and never had advanced smithy, eventually all nordic bullshit in the media goes back to ancient iraq both the horned helmet, their swords and their average chain armour were all persian made. 🖕🤮

[@lechatdeluna8472]

Vikings did have names for their swords

[@SVAFnemesis]

Finally with this knowledge I can defeat Isshin Ashina

[@DevilDog83]

The HI (Blood Groove) is also to reduce the weight of the blade

[@reddersuk4039]

Was it just me that winched when he touched the blade with his bare hand

[@FrancesStudios]

Its just u cause u gay

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

It's not a lightsaber

[@noninjashere]

@@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934 basic sword etiquette, never touch the blade, unless your going to strip the sword and clean it, grease and acid in your sweat can corrode and mark the blade very quickly.

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

@@noninjashere I know the guidelines of owning a sword What I mean is that simply touching the blade won't cut your skin

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

@@noninjashere performing noto or certain techniqued require the user to grab the mune will always result the blade made contact with the hands. Swords were made to kill people, it was made to pierce through organs, skin and blood. All the detailed sword etquette stuffs is unnecessary for people who actually use the sword for practice. As long as you clean it and oil it properly after each practice session, you can touch the blade all you want

[@OriruBastard]

11:19 "You don't wanna make mistake." Like 5 ones that you made during your show-off? :p

[@Claude-Eckel]

What's your expertise, loudmouth?! He holds two PhDs, one in Human Studies from the University of Canterbury and one in Sciences from Kyoto University, he holds the 3rd Dan in Jukendo and Tankendo, the 5th Dan in Iaido and Naginata and is a 7th Dan Kendoka and they even conferred the honorary title _'Kyoshi'_ on him. Plus he is professor at Kansai University of Japanese Culture and History (if you don't know where that is, what you certainly do not know at all: it's in Japan!), teaches Kendo, is vice president of the International Naginata Federation, member of the international committee of the All Japan Kendo Federation, director at the Japanese Academy of Budo, co-founder of the Kendo World Magazine, and author of several books in English and Japanese. Not that it would matter, huh? So, again, what's your expertise? What are you? Who the fuck are you? What's your grade or title, your profession? What honor have they bestowed upon you? Moron? Muppet? Yeah, thought so. Bad news for ya: Moron may look Japanese, but it ain't.

[@gofar5185]

thank you white belt.. for showing some truths in the enlightenment through the japan samurai sword... the cataclysmic NEED of japan samurai warriors classes in the uuniification of japan and creation of TOKYO... by the tokugawa shogunate...

[@SquirrelASMR]

Is Ahsoka Tano's name based off that little Tanto sword? Because she has on of those tiny lightsabers.

[@VicariousReality7]

12:12 Absolutely wrong

[@jello788]

the irony LOL

[@highlander200268]

i know, i about laughed when he said that, a bohi is a blood groove, when someone says this you can tell they never studied this stuff

[@TheLiamis]

I almost choked. He thinks a fuller is a blood grove when even a regard could have looked it up and seen it's purely for weight reduction. Also my tachi has no hi yet makes the noise when you strike. It's just heavier as a result.

[@niccolocammilli3648]

At the beginning of the video he said the wakizashi is used in harakiri, It isn't correct, a samurai use the wakizashi in abbination with the katana and also for the harakiri

[@KduJuggler]

Sooo...,they are used in harakiri.

[@user-bp4em5gc6l]

This guy is real samurai

[@stratdx]

I'm so glad they got Jeremy Renner to do this.

[@valandil7454]

Romanticising everything like that is sweet, but the daisho (large katana and small wakazashi) were just blades used for certian purposes - Katana was for your enemy, wakazashi for you as well if you've dishonoured yourself or your daimyo/shoganate/emperor And to clarify the japanese did use shields, the katana was developed from the tachi to be shorter so it could be wielded single-handed The japanese are great practical innovators, I've spent over a decade with jujutsu, a katana and yumi and can attest to the fact that they were great fighters. But that's all they were, people need to get rid of the mysticism and see them for what they were

[@ramakanthrama8578]

Well said, all this nonsense about spirituality must be stopped, people find many ways to justify violence and spirituality is one of them. This is not new.

[@pistazieneis415]

Wasn't Muzashi the one Samurai who used both katana and wakizashi for attacking? he had the Idea that you shouldn't die without using all the weapons you have with you

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Wakizashi is not just for harakiri, it's still serve as a side arm

[@TheManfred44]

Why do you put your hands 0on the blade?

[@TrainingMacro]

1. Take make it rust faster 2. In case of european swordsmanship; and probably SOME japanese styles: because you're halfswording. In the 13 minutes of bullshit represented in the video, I'd go with option 1.

[@brianlewis2763]

The katana represented the virtues of a samurai or one who serves.

[@didierbembozz1340]

It's hobby. very cool hoby.... If IAIDO have dojo in my country, I want to join.

[@kamalkairul]

there's a lot of people in the comments saying about a westerner teaching a Japanese about Iaido. ok look, she is just probably doing her job don't you think? and u might ask, why not use an actual Japanese to teach iaido ? well considering this is targeted towards the global audience they probably choose a westerner rather than a Japanese

[@user-mb1zb6iu5j]

I am Asian. My Iaido / Aikido sensei was a caucasian lady. She was also a university professor.

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

0:44 he's like saying that it's the only two-handed sword not knowing the fact that the European longsword is two-handed as well LOL

[@sowergamingbro5885]

yeah but both are still awesome

[@joebloggs5318]

He's holding it in the longpoint stance which is used in just about all European longsword systems.

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

@@joebloggs5318 And?

[@joebloggs5318]

@@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934 Just tossing some information out there for people not well versed in swordsmanship. This supposed demonstrator knows far less than he should.

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

@@joebloggs5318 I'm a HEMA practitioner and German style longsword is my expertise so that's not necessary

[@boiledegg4159]

This is like seeing the jedi fighting forms.

[@coco_sloth]

It is biased on it I believe

[@crystalsnowlion2253]

Pretty good

[@BenAbrigil]

basically the vegetarians of swordsmen

[@6anonymous9.]

in the future, we will see the art of drawing guns instead of swords

[@ori4042]

I mean, there are people where they would draw a pistol from the holster already. You could call that art, you could call anything art actually

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Ever heard of gunslinger ?

[@roninnovastar1321]

Posture and form are very important in martial arts !! Iaido in particular, but at times it looks very stiff and robotic looking, the pauses are over emphasized and concentration to prolonged.

[@antiheroine001]

Is the eyeliner makeup part of the training attire?