Iaido
居合道
Iaido (居合道, "way of mental presence and harmony") is the modern art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword. Standardized by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (全日本剣道連盟, ZNKR), it is practiced primarily through solo kata (型) with a focus on form, etiquette — reigi (礼儀) — and spiritual development.
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Iaido is a moving meditation — ugoku zen (動く禅) — that develops extraordinary focus and composure. It is accessible to all ages and fitness levels while offering deep technical study through seitei (制定) and koryu (古流) kata.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Standardized ZNKR seitei (制定) iaido kata (型)
Drawing — nukitsuke (抜き付け), cutting — kiritsuke (切り付け), and resheathing — noto (納刀) — with precision
Chiburi (血振り) and o-chiburi (大血振り) technique
Moving meditation through solo sword practice — tanren (鍛錬, forging the spirit)
Formal Japanese martial arts etiquette — reigi (礼儀)
Your First Class
Wear a keikogi and hakama. Beginners often start with a bokken before progressing to an iaito. Expect formal etiquette, basic kata, and instruction on proper cutting form. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Iaido
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)
Miyamoto Musashi is Japan's most famous swordsman, known for his undefeated record in 61 duels and his dual-wielding technique. His treatise "The Book of Five Rings" remains one of the most influential texts on martial arts strategy, studied by practitioners and business leaders alike.
Nakayama Hakudo
Mitsuzuka Takeshi
Haruna Matsuo
Related Styles
Iaijutsu
Iaijutsu (居合術, "art of mental presence and drawing") is the classical Japanese art of drawing the katana (刀) and cutting in a single motion — nukitsuke (抜き付け). It is practiced through solo and paired kata (型) using an iaito (居合刀, blunt practice sword) or shinken (真剣, live blade).
Kendo
Kendo (剣道, "way of the sword") is a modern Japanese fencing art using bamboo swords — shinai (竹刀) — and full armor — bogu (防具). Descended from kenjutsu, it emphasizes spirit (ki), sword technique, and body unity — ki-ken-tai-ichi (気剣体一致).
Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu (剣術, "sword technique") refers to the classical Japanese sword arts — koryu (古流, old-school traditions) — practiced by samurai (侍). Unlike Kendo, it uses wooden bokken (木剣) or blunted steel swords and focuses on partner kata (型) preserving battlefield techniques.
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