Striking in pursuit of perfection

NOW is your chance to learn traditional Japanese swordsmanship right in the heart of Bendigo.

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iaido Bendigo is taking on new students to share the ancient art, with the particular style involving about 30 specific sword movements called waza.

“There’s a lot of beauty to the movements and feeling the flow of it all and the connection to the past,” said head instructor Damien Mason.

“It’s about keeping this art alive and knowing if we don’t work on it and ourselves, then the art will cease to exist.”

Beginners are welcome to join, and Mr Mason said classes were conducted at the pace appropriate to all students.

“It’s very much one-on-one. We don’t have a standard curriculum, a student comes in and whatever they need is what we try to teach,” he said.

“The people who come to it all come for different reasons. We have some people who just love Japanese history or are interested in swordsmanship, there’s other people who use it as a kind of moving meditation.

“The youngest student I’ve ever taught was a kid who started when he was nine or 10. My instructor who is still teaching is 86 now.”

For Mr Mason, Iaido has strengthened both his physical and mental health but he admits there’s still more left to learn.

“I’ve found it really good for building up confidence, concentration, core strength, calming the mind,” he said.

“You’re chasing perfection but never getting there.

“I’ve been doing this for 17 or 18 years now and I still know a lot of things I need to work on.”