Iaido

What is Iaido?

Derived from the combative quick-draw techniques of Batto-do, Iaido is the art of drawing the Japanese sword from its sheath with a smooth cutting action, performing one or more cuts against one or more opponents, cleaning the sword with a flicking motion (chiburi) and returning it to the scabbard (noto). Iaido requires the exponent to keep the movements of several imaginary opponents (teki) in their mind, and react to them as if they were really present. Iaido does not use armour or modify its techniques in any way from those used hundreds of years ago in feudal Japan. For obvious safety reasons therefore, Iaido does not engage in sparring or free-form combat but is a deeply philosophical and meditative art of solo forms (kata) which are executed to extreme levels of precision and control. As with any kata-based martial art, Iaido actually builds a repertoire of combative reflexes and techniques which in ancient times would save the exponent’s life in a fight. Every kata is conducted as if it was a real fight and must never be performed like a dance.

After learning basics of grip (te-no-uchi), draw (nuki-tsuke) and the cutting motion (kiri-oroshi) with a wooden sword (bokken), the exponent of Iaido uses a non-sharp sword (iaito) that is a perfect match of the handling characteristics of the real sword (katana). After reaching the mid Dan levels, the exponent often migrates to the use of the live-bladed katana (shinken). Students at lower levels are strongly discouraged from the use of live blades due the extreme danger posed by the untrained use of the sharp sword. As with any weapons-based art, Iaido must ONLY be taught by qualified Dan-grades and cannot be safely or successfully learned from a text-book or video alone. The NSWKA discourages beginners under the age of 16.

Iaido requires high levels of physical and mental discipline and often attracts students who have many years of experience in other martial arts. Iaido exponent’s mental and physical control rises to such a degree that they often excel in their other martial arts. It is a perfect compliment to the more sport-oriented free-fighting art of Kendo, as it retains the cutting and handling techniques of the real sword, which are largely lost in the use of the bamboo practice sword in shinai kendo. With their superior weapon handling skills and zanshin, Iaido exponents usually perform better than Kendo exponents in Kendo’s own compulsory kata forms.

Seitei Iaido is the standard curriculum of practice designed by the All-Japan Sword Federation (ZNKR) as an introduction to the many old-school (koryu) styles of swordsmanship. It is now referred to simply as ZenKen Iaido. By the time an exponent is ready to test for their 4th Dan, they are expected to have commenced study in a koryu sword style and must be able to execute at least one technique from a koryu school. Several koryu are available in NSW and each Iaido club has an association with one or more koryu styles.Competitions are conducted between two exponents each completing a series of techniques under extreme concentration before a panel of judges (shimpan). If no technical errors are committed, the exponent who has demonstrated the highest level of spiritual commitment to the techniques and zanshin will usually win.