Iai Battō Hō Syllabus: Omori Ryū (Musō Shinden Ryū)

Shoden

Shoden literally means “first transmission” or “first teaching”; in many schools of Iaidō and Iai Battō Hō around the world, Shoden is the first and most fundamental form taught to students. All forms are performed from a seated position (seiza), with the exception of Korantō, which is performed standing.

  1. Shohattō: first draw.
  2. Satō: left draw.
  3. Utō: right draw.
  4. Ataritō: strike (about turn).
  5. Inyōshintai: passive and active, yin and yang (forwards and backwards).
  6. Ryūtō: flowing sword.
  7. Juntō: follow the sword (assisting seppuku).
  8. Gyakutō: reversed sword
  9. Seichūtō: forcing the sword.
  10. Korantō: tiger run.
  11. Gyakute Inyōshintai: reversed grip inyōshintai.
  12. Battō: draw the sword (quick draw).

Back to Top

Chūden

Chūden literally means “middle transmission” or “middle teaching”. With the exception of Battō, the forms in Chūden are performed from the seated position tate hiza (knee shield).

  1. Yokogumo: cloud bank.
  2. Tora Issoku: tiger step.
  3. Inazuma: lightning.
  4. Ukigumo: floating cloud.
  5. Yama Oroshi: wind coming down the mountain.
  6. Iwanami: waves hitting rocks.
  7. Uroko Gaeshi: dragon turns.
  8. Nami Gaeshi: wave turns.
  9. Taki Otoshi: waterfall.
  10. Battō: draw the sword (quick draw).

Back to Top

Shindō Munen Ryū

The forms of Shindō Munen Ryū are performed standing.

  1. Iwanami: waves hitting rocks.
  2. Ukifune Gaeshi: floating boat turns back.
  3. Nōarashi Gaeshi: wind in the field turns back.
  4. Utsusemi: emptiness, void.
  5. Matsukaze: wind in the pine trees.
  6. Zangetsu Hidari: morning moon, left.
  7. Zangetsu Migi: morning moon, right.
  8. Dotō Gaeshi: great wave turns back.
  9. Reitō Gaeshi: lightning turns back.
  10. Yōtō: active (yang) sword.
  11. Intō: passive (yin) sword.
  12. Inazuma Gaeshi: lightning turns back.

Back to Top