About Iaido

Introduction to Iaido

Iaido is the art of drawing, cutting with, and re-sheathing a sword. Instruction in these techniques is accomplished mainly through the study of kata (forms), which are performed individually with an unsharpened blade. Mastering this art requires great control, concentration, and awareness. Unlike kendo, where one faces a real opponent, iaido demands of its practitioners the difficult task of engaging imagined adversaries with the same spirit, intensity, and accuracy required in a real situation. A deep understanding of various scenarios is crucial to performing the kata faithfully. It is also this attention to detail that makes iaido especially interesting.

The Value of Studying Iaido

There is a very close relationship between the arts of kendo and iaido. Although iaido contains unique elements, such as battou (drawing of the katana) and noutou (re-sheathing of the katana), it also addresses the concepts of hasuji (blade angle), ki (inner strength), and tenouchi (grip), which are common with the practice of kendo. Studying iaido kata in detail can deepen one’s understanding of seme (pressure), ma (timing), and maai (distance). This insight will be reflected in the way one goes about his kendo. Therefore, iaido can be a good teaching aid to those who are studying its sister art. People who know little about kendo normally assume that all of its practitioners know something of handling a real sword. This assumption is not true. Those who have practiced iaido, especially using shinken (live katana), feel in some way that today’s kendo is just “shinai kendo.” This thought, in a small way, gives the impression that the kendo is losing the true spirit of budo (martial arts) and the way of sword. Iaido helps to restore and develop the proper kimochi (feeling) and intensity that is necessary for high-level kendo.

The Origin of Seitei Iaido Kata (Standardized Forms)

Iaido has many distinct ryu-ha (styles), each with a large number of its own waza (techniques). The number of waza is nearly uncountable, and learning all of the forms would be almost impossible in the amount of time that any one of us has on this earth. Consequently, the most basic and important waza were extracted from various ryu-ha by the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) and were combined so that these fundamentals can be learned and understood by those who only practice kendo. This method is intended to expand the understating of iaido amongst kenshi and make it more popular. Iaido Sensei of the All Japan Kendo Federation first exhibited these basic waza in 1968 at the Kyoto Takai. Currently, there are 12 Seitei Iaido Kata that have been developed by the ZNKR. Normally these forms are used to judge one’s skill level at iaido shinsa (promotion tests) and taikai (tournaments). Just as kendo kata are practiced in the same way throughout the world, so too are the Seitei Iaido Kata, making them “Standardized Forms.” Though similar in this respect, iaido kata are performed solo, whereas kendo kata are performed by a pair. We practice the Seitei Iaido Kata every month at our dojo. Learning Seitei Iaido is enough to enter the world of iaido, but it only touches the surface of this art. If a person wants to study further and learn more advanced waza and their applications, one must also study ko-ryu (old styles), which teach not only more difficult waza but also address the spiritual aspects of iaido. We practice waza from the Muso Shinden Ryu, which is our ko-ryu and one of the more popular styles practiced worldwide.