Iaijutsu
居合術
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).
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Iaijutsu cultivates extreme precision, mental clarity — fudoshin (不動心, immovable mind) — and an awareness of life and death. Each draw is a meditation on decisive action.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Nukitsuke (抜き付け, drawing and cutting in one motion)
Kiritsuke (切り付け, follow-up cutting technique)
Chiburi (血振り, symbolic blood removal)
Noto (納刀, resheathing with awareness)
Zanshin (残心, maintained alertness after cutting)
Your First Class
Wear a keikogi and hakama. An iaito (practice sword) may be provided for beginners, or you may start with a bokken. Expect solo kata practice and etiquette instruction. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Gallery
Legends of Iaijutsu
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.
Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu
Nakamura Taizaburo
Related Styles
Iaido
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.
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.
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).
Katori Shinto-ryu
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, founded circa 1447. It is a comprehensive system covering sword, staff, spear, halberd, and unarmed techniques, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.
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