Shogun Addie

Momma certainly has an interesting family with a wide variety of interests.

Tonight, Momma's brother (he refuses to be called my uncle) showed us the first nine kata in his Iaidō training.

Iaidō is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting motions, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard.

Iaidō literally translates as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction." Iaidō is a product of Japan’s 17th and 18th century Edo-period, more commonly known as the Shōgun era.

While Iaidō students may start learning with a wooden bokken, many (like Momma's brother) use a blunt-edged iaito. More experienced Iaidō practitioners use a sharp-edged shinken.

Because Iaidō is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms called a kata, Japanese word describing detailed choreographed movements.

In Iaidō, solo kata using the Japanese sword (katana) comprises almost all of its training. Because of this non-fighting aspect, and Iaidō's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen."

Momma doesn't trust me with a katana (yet) but she said she'd get me these chopsticks to practice with.

They'll look fine next to my light saber.

Just think, I could be the next Date Masamune. He was known as dokuganryū, the one-eyed dragon, due to his outstanding tactical skills and (more notably) his missing eye. Masamune's army was instantly recognizable by their black armor and golden head gear.