Outdoor and Rec Athletics 0117 - Iaido: Japanese Swordsmanship

Iaido, The Art of the Japanese Sword: Debated to be the most superbly engineered sword in the world, the Japanese katana has deep roots in far Eastern culture. Popularly recognized as the icon of samurai warriors as their weapon of choice, Iaido takes the art of swordsmanship away from the practice of destroying an opponent and closer towards the act of collecting and improving one's self. As exciting and glamorous as it is to draw and cut with a sword, can it be cared for and re-sheathed with the same dedication? As a form-based martial art, Iaido is primarily practiced without an opponent. Its principal function is the study of form or kata, which consist of four primary coordinations: 1.Nukitsuke, drawing cut; 2.Kiritsuke. finishing cut; 3. Chiburi, cleansing the blade; and 4. Noto, returning the sword to the scabbard. Students will begin by studying these basics and then practicing the prescribed order of kata (forms) to see how the function of them vary from one imagined situation to another. Instructor permission is required as availability of equipment and uniforms is limited. Instructor permission is granted ONLY during attendance within the add/drop period. Requests or advanced notices via email before add/drop will not be honored. Class meets on the gym floor near the climbing wall in the Robert Crown Center. 5-College students will be graded pass/fail.

This class may be used CEL 1 requirements