One of the questions I often get asked is about Iaido competitions. The All Japan Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) and its international FIK not only is the sole governing body for Kendo but the biggest federation for Iaido as well; landmark of this Federation is including a competitive aspect in the kata-based disciplines of Iaido and Jodo, together with Kendo. While in Kendo it is somewhat easier to understand the scoring and judging systems, for Iaido many outsiders find it puzzling: how does it happen? Basically the two competitors execute the same katas side by side within a time limit, and a panel of 3 judges at the end votes on who expressed the best Iaido. Far from vilifying the practice, competitions inject an element of stress that somehow echoes "dueling" that obviously does not and can not take anymore place in the modern world. As a result, no matter if winner or loser, everyone takes home something of value and the level of each practitioner increases as a consequence. It is a feeling in a way similar to exams, even if they are done in a slightly different setting and with different purposes. Taking exams regularly and practicing in a shiai (competition) every now and then will definitely hone one's spirit and one's technique in ways that no other form of training can achieve: that dimension of stress, fear, anticipation, doubt is able to thus connect us to the Samurai of the past, even if for just a diluted instant, and love even more what we do and ultimately why we do it: controlling, dominating and winning over your opponents within and take that strength of will and courage in our everyday life.
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