居合道|福岡県剣道連盟・居合道部 | 居合道について

居合道について

古い歴史を持つ剣道は、はじめ武術にその源を発し、武道の一つとして発達してきたものであるから、術としてだけでなく、「道」として我が国民の精神面に偉大な影響を及ぼしてきたのであって、日本民族にとっては切り離すことの出来ない大きな役割を果たしてきたものである。その剣道の中に居合道がある。剣道の中に居合があり、組太刀があり、形があって、総合的に修練されてきたものであることは、古い伝書、免許目録等を見ると明瞭であって、主として武士の必修の科目として、質実剛健、謙譲礼節、克己廉恥の精神即ち日本道徳の一基盤をその錬磨の中に、習得していたものである。

 このように居合道は、剣道と一体として発展して来たものだけに、その流派も大変な数に上がり、今日まで守り継がれているものである。昔から居合の達人は剣道の達人であり、剣道の達人は居合にも精妙を極めていたものであった。明治になって廃刀令がしかれて以来、常時佩用しなくなったので次第に人々から刀が遠ざかり剣道を修行する人々からも離れていって、剣道と居合道とが分化の方向に流れたことは残念で、一日も早く、「剣居一相」の本当の在り方に進むことを望むものである。


居合とは、立合いに対する言葉で、居合、居相、抜剣、抜刀術、鞘の中等とも称されて来た。敵の不意の攻撃に対して、直ちに居合わせて抜刀し、鞘離れの一瞬に勝負を決める武術として創始されたもので、抜けば剣道である。

 生死を抜刀の一瞬にかける居合道の修行は、死生一如、動静一貫の幽玄な境地まで発展し、心身鍛錬の道となった。居合の「居」とは、体の居る所、と云うことで、立っても居、歩いても居、走っても居である。また、無念無想も、恐怖も、喜怒哀楽も心の居である。即ち「居」とは、その場その時の心身の実在をさしているものである。「合」とは、打てば響き、呼べば応えると云う臨機応変、当意即妙の働きをいう。居合即ち居合わすの意で、行住坐臥、一挙手一投足もゆるがせにしない心の修練が居合の本領である。徒に刀を抜くことだけが居合と心得ることは、大きな間違いであって、その技を使う心気を練り上げて、その時、その場に居合わすことが修行の目的である。

 己を立てて人に逆らうときは、敵となり居合も崩れ、抜き放ちて喧かとなるべし。常に人を立てて己を立てず、柔和を第一とすべし。居合の実意を守り、礼儀を正し、人に遅れて身を直くすれば、居合整い天理に叶い、いよいよ天下和順にて、その徳自ら備わるなり。又片時も油断なく、出入起居を慎み、遊山翫水といえども、心を静め用心致し。日夜朝暮、心の油断なく心の敵を作らず、己を責めて己に克ち、過ちを改め勤ることを居合の大事とするなり。と、居合道道歌の一つに「居合とは己がこころに克つばかり人の非を見て人にさからうな」とある。

 居合道に求める所は、大変厳しく、座作進退、礼法、心の持ち方、呼吸のし方から厳格で、現代に欠けている日本的作法等諸条件を備えているので、大いに推奨したい。

(財)全日本剣道連盟作成パンフレットより抜粋

IAIーDOH

Kendo, with its ancient history, originated as a martial art and developed as one of the disciplines of budo. It has exerted profound influence not only as a technique but also as a “way,” shaping the spiritual aspects of the Japanese people. For the Japanese nation, kendo has played an inseparable and significant role throughout its history. Within kendo lies iaido, which includes paired sword techniques, kata, and comprehensive training. This is evident in old manuscripts and license catalogs, which clearly show that iaido was an essential subject for samurai. Through its rigorous practice, samurai cultivated qualities such as fortitude, humility, courtesy, self-control, and a sense of honor—forming the foundation of Japanese morality.
Thus, iaido has developed alongside kendo, leading to numerous schools that have been preserved to this day. Historically, masters of iaido were also masters of kendo, and vice versa; both disciplines were deeply intertwined. However, following the Meiji period’s implementation of the Haitorei (Edict for Abolishing Sword-Wearing), swords were no longer carried daily. Consequently, swords became distant from people’s lives, and iaido gradually separated from kendo practitioners. This divergence is regrettable, and it is hoped that the true integration of “Ken-Ichi-Isso” (the unity of kendo and iaido) will be achieved in the near future.

Iaido, in contrast to “tachiai” (standing confrontation), has been referred to by various names such as “iai,” “iasou,” “bakken,” “battojutsu,” and “saya no naka” (within the scabbard). It was originally founded as a martial art to counter an enemy’s sudden attack by drawing the sword instantly and deciding the outcome in the moment of unsheathing. Once the sword is drawn, it becomes kendo.
The practice of iaido, which places life and death on the moment of drawing the sword, has evolved into a profound state of mind where life and death are unified, and movement and stillness are consistent. This has turned iaido into a path for mental and physical discipline. The “i” in iaido refers to one’s physical presence—whether standing, walking, or running—and also encompasses one’s mental state, including freedom from thought, fear, or emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure. In essence, “i” signifies the reality of both body and mind at any given time and place. The “ai” in iaido refers to adaptability and responsiveness—being able to act appropriately and swiftly in any situation. Iaido, therefore, means being fully present and prepared in body and mind at all times. The essence of iaido lies in training one’s spirit to achieve this readiness in every action and moment.
If one asserts oneself against others, conflict arises, disrupting the harmony of iaido. Drawing the sword impulsively leads to chaos. Instead, one should prioritize humility and gentleness over self-assertion. By adhering to the true spirit of iaido—practicing proper etiquette, maintaining humility, correcting oneself before others—it aligns with natural principles (“tenri”) and fosters universal harmony. This virtue naturally emerges from such practice. Practitioners are encouraged to remain vigilant at all times, even during leisure or relaxation, maintaining a calm mind and being cautious in their actions. Day and night, one must avoid creating enemies within their heart by eliminating carelessness, overcoming personal weaknesses, correcting mistakes, and striving for self-improvement. As one iaido song states: “Iaido is about conquering your own heart; do not find fault with others or oppose them.”
The demands of iaido are exceptionally rigorous. From seated movements and etiquette to mental attitude and breathing techniques, it encompasses strict disciplines that include traditional Japanese manners often lacking in modern society. For these reasons, iaido is highly commendable as a practice worth pursuing.
(Excerpt from a brochure created by the All Japan Kendo Federation)