By Elisabet H. Bjarkmann, Renshi-dai, 2nd Dan Yakami Shinsei-ryu, 3rd Dan Kodosoku-kai Gensei-ryu

I have always dreamed of training with swords. Ever since I was very small, being allowed to train was one of the most ultimate things you could achieve. I remember as a minor that Jens Hanshi-dai sometimes self-trained at Iai and showed it off. It always generated great interest both for me, but also for my Shindenkaner colleagues. The interest did not diminish when I found out that iai-jutsu has been a large part of my family history for over 1000 years.

So when the course was offered, I didn't have a moment's doubt that I had to take part - and even then I knew that it would be a journey that I wouldn't soon forget.

Before the course started, I couldn't resist taking my sword out of the packaging and admiring it. The thought that I would soon be taught an art that is over 2000 years old (if not older) made me happy. You can probably imagine that since I simply couldn't resist picking up the sword (all the time!) I ran around like a happy Christmas pig for several weeks before the course started. Of course, I also couldn't resist swinging the sword a few times. I quickly stopped this though, realizing that I wasn't the only one whose eyes rested on my sword and me. It hadn't dawned on me that from living in an unobstructed house, I now live in a property complex where all the apartments across from me can look directly into my room. It therefore terrified me to see that several neighbors stood with very wide eyes and followed every move I made. However, I couldn't tell if they were looking at me with fascination (as I was) or, on the contrary, thought I was slightly insane. To be on the safe side, I therefore decided to wait to practice with the sword until the course began.

When the course started, I could see that I was not the only one who had been looking forward to learning the art of Iai-jutsu. Grown men had become little boys whose dream had come true and everyone was trembling with excitement. There was not one by a show of hands who had not swung the iai at home. This greatly pleased Kimu Sensei.

First course we learned how to draw the sword and how it was done correctly. Although people, incl. I, myself, had expected more, we soon found out in the 2nd part that exactly that part was the whole essence and the most important thing we had learned on the iai course. My doubts and expectations were therefore put to shame. If you could do the pull-up, as we learned in the first course, you could do it all.

The second part of the course went well. We had to learn 4 techniques, all of which were very extensive, difficult and long. However, the mood was not diminished by that reason; On the contrary, the mood and atmosphere in the room lifted. Everyone was excited and happy. It was amazing! Here I was, learning exactly the same movements they learned back 1000 years ago. The feeling was indescribable; I felt like a samurai warrior – and so did the rest of the room.

Technique No. 4 was particularly special; When Kimu Sensei performed the movements, it became so quiet that even though the room is at least 250 m2, you could hear a pin drop. I have never experienced 45 people in the same room being so quiet, concentrated and full of excitement at the same time. People were high on energy – myself included – who couldn't wait to practice the movement over and over again.

The same applied when we had to practice the march in. When Kimu Sensei told the story behind this, we felt like part of the samurai warriors of the 15th century again. Everyone settled into the roles. Even though we in Shindenkan are friends both inside and outside the organization, we all walked past each other on the march with a certain vigilance and caution – just like they did back then. We had all become samurai warriors.

Although the course has now ended, I can say with great certainty that everyone who trains themselves at home gets the same rush in the stomach when they pull out the sword. I still do. I love the course, my sword and the knowledge I have learned to the core. There is no doubt that the Iai course has been one of the most exciting courses for me – and at the same time one of the most educational. Iai is not only learning to train with a sword, but also a link to the martial art and inner clarification. You can learn a lot from that. I did that.

For that reason, I would not only recommend others to take the course if, like me, you have had a childhood dream. You must also register for the course to improve your yakami-shinseu ryu and develop as a person.

With that in mind, I would just like to add; If you haven't already had a childhood dream of training with Iai - I can promise you that you will after you have participated in iai-jutsu package 1.

Look forward to more articles on Iaijutsu