Iaido is more than a martial art—it is a quiet dialogue between movement and stillness, awareness and intent. Rooted in the ancient traditions of the Japanese sword, Iaido blends the technical mastery of precise sword draws with a profound philosophical underpinning that shapes character as much as skill.
What Is Iaido?
Iaido is the Japanese martial art that places emphasis on being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks. Iaido consists of four main components: the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard (or saya), striking or cutting an opponent, and shaking blood from the blade, and replacing the sword back in the scabbard.
- Iaido Kata
- Philosophy
The Origins of Iaido
The term Iaido appeared in 1932, and the term emerged from Aiijutsu and the general trend to replace the suffix -jutsu with do in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasise the philosophical or spiritual aspects of the practice.
Iaido started in the mid-1500s with Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu being generally acknowledged as the organiser of Iaido. There were many different Koryu (customary schools); however, just a few remain practised today. After the collapse of the Japanese feudal system in 1868, the founders of the modern disciplines borrowed from the theory and the practice of classical disciplines as they had studied or practised.
The founding in 1895 of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK or the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society) was also an important contribution to the development of modern Japanese swordsmanship, with the All Japan Iaido Federation being founded in 1948.
Upon the formation of various organisations overseeing martial arts, a problem of commonality appears. Since members of the organisation were drawn from various backgrounds and had experience practising different schools of Iaido, this led to the need for a common set of kata that would be recognised by all organisations.
The Styles of Iaido
Muso Shinden-ryu
This is a Japanese style of Iaido founded in 1932 by Nakayama Hakudo. It descends from the Hasegawa Eishin-ryu tradition and includes influences from both the Shimomura and Tanimura branches of that lineage.
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
This is one of Japan’s most prominent and widely practised classical schools of Iaido. Rooted in the teachings of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (16th Century), the system emphasises seamless sword movement from the draw to the cut.
Benefits of Training In Iaido
Mental Presence and Calm
Iaido includes many mental practices that you can include in your practice. From zanshin, meditative flow, and practising patience and precision. By training heightened awareness and practising kata that feel meditative and help you focus quietly.
Discipline and Character Development
Iaido training etiquette and respect in everything it does, from bowing before entering the dojo, to bowing in the middle before and after kata, as well as when you leave the dojo.
Philosophical
Iaido embodies philosophy and is used in many books around the world, with each kata emphasising presence. Iaido is full of philosophy, as is often seen as one of the most philosophical arts.
As both a martial discipline and a philosophical journey, Iaido offers more than the elegance of swordsmanship—it nurtures clarity, presence, and a reverence for form that transcends the battlefield.
