Iaido

Iaido, the art of classical Japanese swordsmanship, has a rich history spanning nearly 450 years, making it one of the oldest continuously practiced Japanese sword styles. The term 'iaido' is a combination of 'i' (pronounced 'ee'), meaning 'to exist,' 'ai' (pronounced 'eye'), meaning 'to meet and blend with,' and 'do' (pronounced 'doe'), meaning 'way' or 'path.' The suffix 'dō' is a common concept in martial disciplines, denoting a spiritual path for self-development. One translation of iaido is '[the] way to meet with/reconcile one's existence.'

Practitioners, known as 'iaidoka,' delve into more than just sword-drawing; iaido is a profound self-realization system. The art consists of kata, each with four parts: nukitsuke (draw and initial cut), kiriotoshi (finishing downward stroke), chiburi or chiburui (symbolic cleaning of the blade), and noto (resheathing the blade). These kata address specific situations, emphasizing correctness of form, precision, and mental focus.

Iaido requires the use of real swords or dangerous replica blades, making it primarily a solo art. Practice involves kata or set forms that teach how to respond to attacks in various positions and situations. Techniques are executed from formal kneeling positions (seiza), half-kneeling positions, or standing. The goal is to handle an attack at any time, regardless of activity. The characters 居 'i' (to be, especially to sit) and 合 'ai' (to match or respond) convey the essence of iaido — 'the way of responding appropriately to any situation you are in.'