So I just saw the newest video of Let's ask Seki Sensei (here), featuring what seems to be 2 new fuku shidoin trained through their online lessons, having atteined 3rd of 4th dan i think.

Rather than talking on what they say in the video, which is obviously promotional, can't blame them for that, i would like to know what you think of their level, since they're shown doing some iai katas in the video. They trained only through online zoom classes which many here would say isn't the best way to learn, or even a bad way to learn.

Do you see some obvious defaults in their technique, or does it seem they learned the correct way ?

And to finish, what do you think of online teaching by Seki Nobuhide ? Is it a good idea to develop and spread your ryuha ? And why ? Or is it "selling" the art, for visibility and money (rumors here tend to say Seki sensei doesn't have a really good view of strangers, according to comments on the Toda ha buko ryu imposture controversy...) ? Is 97$ a month for 4 1-hour lessons a good price ? In Europe for the pricing i know it seems really expensive but i saw some dojos in the US charge that much, how much does your learning cost ? Do you think you can learn all you would have to learn from a direct teacher-student teaching via online lessons ?

If someone here is currently attending those online classes i'd love to have an advice as i'm really curious about all of this and how good are these new fuku shidoin !

I love the texture, but it took too much mass from this one. The next will be thicker.

Hey, everybody. I just wanted to make the announcement for anyone in the southwest Ohio region that I started up a MJER study group at Ohio Budokan in Dayton. I'm pretty new to Iaido myself (less than a year of training), but I've been to a couple seminars and got the go ahead from my sensei to start up a group up. Right now training sessions are Saturdays and Sundays from 9-10 AM. As we get more members that might open up some.

https://www.ohiobudokan.org/

I can answer questions here, via DM or through Ohio Budokan's social media.

Look, we’ve all been there—perfect draw, impeccable cut, feeling like an ancient warrior… until your saya flops around like it’s auditioning for Dancing with the Stars. Outsiders don’t get it, but we know: the true enemy isn’t another swordsman—it’s a loose saya. Hold fast, comrades. 🫡

This one was a long time waiting. I ordered it in December of 2023 and I received it last week. Granted to be fair to Nosyudo, I customized everything on this iaito, including the sori, motohaba, motokasane, sakihaba, sakikasane, and the length of the kissaki. Because of that I also had to purchase the DX koshirae which also increased the wait time since all of the wooden components had to be carved specifically to the blade. It was absolutely worth the wait! This iaito is extremely lightweight (820g) and balanced very well. The navy blue ishime saya came out gorgeous and has a very nice taper to it. Not a single flaw in it! I can't recommend Nosyudo enough.

I recently purchased a custom Minosaka iaito, and while it’s undeniably beautiful, I’ve noticed it feels awfully balanced. I opted for a lighter blade in a 2.4 shaku length, but the balance seems heavily weighted towards the tsuka.

This imbalance makes it really difficult to execute controlled cuts.

So, I’m left wondering: What actually defines a well-balanced sword? Are there specific factors or design elements I should be paying more attention to in future purchases?

What saya finish do you recommend, and why? I am about to order my first iaito and settled for a custom Nosyudo from their japanese shop, and they let you choose saya finish. My initial impressions are that I like the traditional look of the glossy lacquer, but think that perhaps the matte (or stone as the translation puts it) finish is more practical, especially for a semi-new iaidoka. So, do you have any tips or experiences, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently customizing a custom made Iaito from Tozando and was just wondering what the thoughts on color difference and longevity are for silver vs silver-plated brass/alloy for things like the Fuchi, Habaki, and Menuki. Like would it look that different or bad if I had some authentic silver parts and some silver-played on the same sword? Would it be worth it to just spend the extra money for the real silver so I can have better longevity and easier care?

Just signed up for a 4 week intro to Iaido course, and am excited.

Been studying the martial arts now for about 27 years, did have a couple of weeks of Kendo training 20+ odd years ago, but the instructor either moved away or retired before I could progress (and since then, there are no other sword arts in my area). But let's face it, I've forgotten practically everything since then.

Anyway, for those that train in Iaido and other arts (eg any style of Karate whether it's Japanese, Korean, Okinawan, etc). How is it training in those two arts? Did you find it confusing? Did it enhance/improve your training?

I am not the photographer that many of you have been when posting your photos, but my house is dark inside so I thought I'd try in the garden :(

Iaito was supposed to be done in February but just as I was setting out things for our "25th annual" outdoor-by-the-fire New Year's Eve celebration, the UPS guy came up the driveway with a "suspiciously" (deliciously?) long box :-) As someone mentioned before, the supposed "tetsukon" sageo is definitely green - but the tetsukon leather wrap is spot on. Got to do the "dramatic reveal" at the party. Maybe she got some folks interested in joining our dojo in 2025? :-)

It’s Omisoka, New Year’s Eve, here in Japan. Finished the prep for the new year.

What’re some of your iaido memories for the year.

Hello fellow practitioners !

I'm a beginner in iai but i feel like you guys will probably be the best people to ask while i can't see my teacher : i've been practicing for a few months now and i really struggle to have a correct te-no-uchi, which also imply i struggle to do correctly most of my cuts and kamae.

I feel something is off, i don't have the right feeling when cutting, my shoulders are tense and my cut doesn't feel natural. I think it's because of my left hand not doing its job properly (I'm right-handed), but i can't figure out exactly what's wrong, aside from my te-no-uchi, where i know i'm not placing my left hand correctly but I'm not sure what's the problem on it, even with some explanations of my teacher on what is the right way to hold a sword.

Edit: My left not doing its job properly, especially on a shomen cut, may be linked to the fact I'm not sure to understand how to use the auricular to start the cut...

I don't think I'll correct it by simply reading some advice online, but since i won't see my teacher until some weeks, could you guys tell me what are the things i should pay attention on while trying to improve my te-no-uchi (and eventually while doing a simple shomen cut) ?

Thank you in advance !

Edit 2 : thank you very much for all your answers and advices, especially u/Mentalizer u/Shigashinken and u/eracerhead and all the others i can't ping in one post. My grip is now much better, even though there is still much to train ! My cuts don't feel off and weird anymore, it's much more natural, still have a lot to work on, especially on using the hara correctly while cutting, but i feel i'm on the right way ! thank you so much !

Heya! What are your suggestions for Sageo Length for someone that does Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū? I get, that it's a lot of personal preference, but what are your recommendations? It would be nice if you could write the length in shaku :)

Looking for a traditionally made katana, i don't care so much about the type of steel as long as it's a quality katana but i would like a budget friendly katana, not a fake one that can be sold for like 30 quid. A proper katana, i wouldn't mind even a name of a company that sells good traditionally made katana's.

A recent addition to my training bag.

Alot of my training is done outside and woth winter here my usual dogi is pretty thin, any suggestions?

Both made in Japan.

https://reddit.com/link/1hizdr5/video/ltvkvmq2x38e1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1hizdr5/video/6o3cxww3x38e1/player

https://preview.redd.it/ofo8okq5x38e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cccca4e470cb67e486e83bd0cea5eb9cae1a81ac

https://preview.redd.it/xzcr5lq5x38e1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eca7ae2014ea19fe73c0a54817bb10aaed17f6fc

https://preview.redd.it/vcxveuq5x38e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8c3e5b6e6a566743dd2b660944a139829cb5050

https://preview.redd.it/bzl3zlq5x38e1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96aefed096171074ae5a0193bab8220ac4525cfd

https://preview.redd.it/r7c7ppq5x38e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe596c29e5095de92d3eba4913901fba6819bab0

https://preview.redd.it/hjopnrq5x38e1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cc177377ba4d1e2829eb1399f143f89081087b8

The first with brown tsuka wrap and is 2.6 shaku by SwordStore

The second with green tsuka wrap is 2.45 shaku made by Nosyudo

Hi all, looking for an inexpensive junior size Iaito for my nephew who is starting out. The ones on swordnarmory.com seemed like they might be ok but are sold out.

I’d be concerned about ordering a custom length from HBF as the unsharpened 1060 might be heavier than a zinc alloy.

I understand he’ll outgrow this blade in a year or so, at which time he can use my old 26” and then we can get his own 28” if he continues.

Also, we’re located in Australia so shipping cost is a factor as well….

Thanks in advance!!!

It sounds like you need to add a small piece of bamboo to your Koiguchi (mouth of scabbard). @u/ClassSubject2581