Iaido

Iaido is the contemporary Japanese martial art of drawing and attacking with the samurai sword. The purpose of Iaido is to expand consciousness, awareness , sincerity, a calm mind, and mental and physical harmony through the practice of traditional sword techniques. It is the Japanese martial art that is most closely associated with the samurai class and Japanese nobility. It is not considered a sport, but rather a unique and ancient traditional art for the development of body mind, , and spirit.

Iaido" composed of the 3 characters;

I which translates as " to be, to stay in, or mental presence"

a(u)" which translates as "to come together, to meet, to harmonize"

"dou" which translates to "way or path"

Iaido-, roughly translates to"the art of mental presence and immediate reaction". Iaido is a Japanese martial art linked with smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword Hayashizaki Jinsuke is generally credited with establishing the influence and popularity of Iaido-, early in the sixteenth century. However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu had been developed by Izasa Ianao, the founder of the Tensin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.

Iaido differ with kenjutsu (combative swordsmanship), techniques done with swords already drawn, and kendo, the Japanese sport of fencing. Basic iaido kata combines drawing the sword with either a defensive block or cut, usually followed by another cut, then chiburi (moving the blade in such as way as to remove blood and tissue) and noto (returning the blade to the scabbard). While kenjutsu and sword-drawing techniques (batto-ho) were originally taught together, they are now usually, but not always, taught as separate art forms. Iaido, as the sword-drawing forms became known in the 1930's, is now used not only to teach sword techniques, but as a form of mental and physical discipline, emphasizing correct technique and form, meditation and character development.

Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is generally credited with establishing the influence and popularity of Iaido-, early in the sixteenth century. However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu had been developed by Izasa Ianao, the founder of the Tensin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.

Iaido- should not be confused with kendo or kenjutsu :

* Kendo does not include drawing and re-sheathing of a sword. The weapon used in kendo, a shinai uses no scabbard, and kendo is practiced with partners paired for contact training; needing a flexible bamboo sword and protective armour.

* Kenjutsu is executed in the form of kata, but usually in pairs, and often does not include drawing or resheathing of the sword

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