This is a quick draw of the sword, accomplished by simultaneously drawing the sword from the saya and also moving the saya back in saya-biki. Most of the styles and schools do not practice tameshigiri, cutting techniques.Ī part of iaido, is nukitsuke. Some iaido schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Iaido forms ( kata) are performed solitarily against one or more imaginary opponents. Because of this non-fighting aspect, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as 'moving Zen.' Iaido does include competition in form of kata but does not use sparring of any kind. Multiple person kata exist within some schools of iaido, when iaidoka will usually use bokken for such kata practice. Seitei-gata techniques īecause iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using forms, or kata. Iaido is a blend of the ethics of Confucianism, methods of Zen, the philosophical Taoism and aspects from bushido.

The metaphysical aspects in iaido has been influence of several philosophical - and religious directions.

Iaido is a reflection of the morals of the classical warrior and to build a spiritually harmonious person possessed of high intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will. Iaido is an intrinsic form of Japanese modern budo. Iaido emcompasses hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, all of which subscribe to non-combative aims and purposes. The term emerged from the general trend to replace the suffix -jutsu ( 術 ?) with -dō ( 道 ?) in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize a philosophical or spiritual aspects of practice. The term 'iaido' approximately translates into English as 'the way of mental presence and immediate reaction', and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudo. Last character, 道 is generally translated into English as the way. The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible (合). Thus the primary emphasis in 'iai' is on the psychological state of being present (居). The origin of the first two characters, iai ( 居合 ?), is believed to come from saying Tsune ni ite, kyu ni awasu ( 常に居て、急に合わす ?), that can be roughly translated as “being constantly (prepared), match/meet (the opposition) immediately”. The term 'iaido' appear in 1932 and consists of the kanji characters 居合道. Late Haruna Matsuo sensei (1925-2002) demonstrating Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu kata Ukenagashi 9 International Iaido Sport Competition.6 Kata under the respective iaido orgaisations.3 Moral and religions influence on iaido.

Iaido info