, abbreviated ,. is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.Christensen, Karen and Allen Guttmann et.al (2001) International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports: H-R. Macmillan Reference USA, Page 553.
Iaido consists of four main components: the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard (or saya), striking or cutting an opponent, shaking blood from the blade, and replacing the sword in the scabbard.John Nauright, Charles Parrish, edited (2012) Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice. ABC-CLIO. Page 226. While beginning practitioners of iaido may start learning with a wooden sword (bokutō 木刀) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, most of the practitioners use a blunt-edged sword called an iaitō or mogitō.Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995) The koryu Bujutsu Experience in Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan (ed. by Diane Skoss). Koryu Books. Page 31. Few, more experienced, iaido practitioners use a sharp-edged sword (shinken)..
Practitioners of iaido are called iaidoka.Pellman, Leonard and Masayuki Shimabukuro (2008, 2nd edition) Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship. Blue Snake Books. Page 314-315.
Origins of the name
The term "iaido" appears in 1932 and consists of the kanji (i), (ai), and (dō)., p. 79.Draeger, Donn F. (1974) Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. (Vol. III). New York: Weatherhill. Page 55-58. The origin of the first two characters, , is believed to come from saying , which can be roughly translated as "being constantly (prepared), match/meet (the opposition) immediately". Thus the primary emphasis in 'iai' is on the psychological state of being present (居). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding by harmonising with a sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).
The last character, , is generally translated into English as the way or path. The term "iaido" approximately translates into English as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction",Shaw, Scott (1999) Samurai Zen. Chapter 12. Weiser Books. and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudo.
The term emerged from iaijutsu (lit. "the art of mental presence and immediate reaction") and the general trend to replace the suffix ("the art of") with in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize the philosophical or spiritual aspects of the practice.Draeger, Donn F. (1974) Modern bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. (Vol. III). New York: Weatherhill. Page 55-58.
Purpose Iaido encompasses hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, all of which subscribe to non-combative aims and purposes. Iaido is an intrinsic form of Japanese modern budo.
Iaido reflects the moral principles of the classical warrior and aims to cultivate a spiritually balanced individual characterized by intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will. The practice is primarily performed solo in the form of kata, which involve executing a variety of techniques against one or more imaginary opponents. Each kata begins and ends with the sword sheathed. Regardless of the specific technique used, imagination and concentration are essential to preserve the sense of a real combat situation and to keep the kata engaging. Iaidoka are often encouraged to practice kendo in order to maintain a combative spirit. It is common for high-ranking kendoka (practitioners of kendo) to also hold high rank in iaido, and vice versa.
To perform the kata appropriately, iaidoka likewise learn carriage, development, grip and swing. At times iaidoka will practice complementary katas from kendo or kenjutsu. Unlike kendo, iaido practice never involves sparring.
Moral and religious influences The metaphysical aspects of iaido have been influenced by several philosophical and religious currents. Iaido blends the ethics of Confucianism, methods of Zen, philosophical Taoism, the purifying rites of Shinto and aspects of bushido.
Tōhō-gata techniques
A set of five koryu iaido forms Mae-giri from Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū School Zengo-giri from Mugai-ryū School Kiri-age from Shindō Munen-ryū School Shihō-giri from Suiō-ryū School Kissaki-gaeshi from Hōki-ryū School
Seitei-gata techniques
The 12 official kata currently recognised by the All Japan Kendo Federation are (in Romanised form):"Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai 2014". English Version Manual, 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan. Ippon me – Mae – Front Nihon me – Ushiro – Back Sanbon me – Ukenagashi – Receive, Parry and Cut Yonhon me – Tsuka Ate – Striking With the Hilt Gohon me – Kesagiri – Diagonal Cut Roppon me – Morotezuki – Two Handed Thrust Nanahon me – Sanpogiri – Three Direction Cutting Happon me – Ganmen Ate – Hit to the Face Kyuhon me – Soetezuki – Joined Hand Thrust Juppon me – Shihogiri – Four Direction Cutting Ju Ippon me – Sougiri – Complete Cuts Ju Nihon me – Nukiuchi – Sudden Draw
Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using solitary forms, or kata performed against one or more imaginary opponents. Multiple-person kata exist in some schools of iaido; for safety, iaidoka usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does include competition in the form of kata, but does not use sparring of any kind. Because of this non-fighting practice, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen." Most of the styles and schools do not practice tameshigiri, cutting techniques.
A part of iaido is nukitsuke.Suino, Nicklaus (2007) Strategy in Japanese Swordsmanship. Weatherhill. Page 38. 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.Craig, Darrell (1981) IAI The Art of Drawing the Sword. Tuttle Publishing. Page 64.
History
Iaido started in the mid-1500s. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is generally acknowledged as the organizer of Iaido. There were many different Koryu (customary schools), however just a few remain practiced today. Just about every one of them additionally concentrate on more seasoned school created amid 16-seventeenth century, in the same way as Muso-Shinden-ryu, Hoki-ryu, Muso-Jikiden-Eishin-ryu, Shinto-Munen-ryu, Tamiya-ryu, Yagyu-Shinkage-ryu, Mugai-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu, et cetera.
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 practiced.Draeger Donn. F. (1974) Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. New York/London: Weatherhill. Page 57. The founding in 1895 of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) 大日本武徳会 (lit. "Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society") in Kyoto, Japan.Dai Nippon Butoku Kai: Honbu, Kyoto, Japan (2012). Retrieved on November 13, 2013. was also an important contribution to the development of modern Japanese swordsmanship. In 1932 DNBK officially approved and recognized the Japanese discipline, iaido;Dai Nippon Butoku Kai: History and philosophy (2012). Retrieved on November 13, 2013. this year was the first time the term iaido appeared in Japan. After this initiative the modern forms of swordsmanship is organised in several iaido organisations. During the post-war occupation of Japan, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and its affiliates were disbanded by the Allies of World War II in the period 1945–1950. However, in 1950, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was reestablished and the practice of the Japanese martial disciplines began again.Draeger Donn. F. (1974) Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. New York/London: Weatherhill. Page 48-49.
The (ZNIR) was founded in 1948.
In 1952, the (IMAF) was founded in Tokyo, Japan. IMAF is a Japanese organization promoting international Budō,Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts. MEDSPORTPRESS, 2011; 1(2); Vol. 2, page 50. and has seven divisions representing the various Japanese martial arts, including iaido.
Also in 1952, the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) was founded.
Upon formation of various organizations overseeing martial arts, a problem of commonality appeared. Since members of the organization were drawn from various backgrounds, and had experience practicing different schools of iaido, there arose a need for a common set of kata, that would be known by all members of organization, and that could be used for fair grading of practitioner's skill. Two of the largest Japanese organizations, All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) and All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR), each created their own representative set of kata for this purpose.
Kata under the respective iaido organizations
Tōhō Iaido The All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR, Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei, founded 1948) has a set of five koryu iaido forms, called Tōhō, contributed from the five major schools whose teachers were involved in the creation of the organization.
Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū School founded during the late Muromachi period (). ('Mae-giri') Mugai-ryū School founded in 1695. ('Zengo-giri') Shindō Munen-ryū School founded in the early 1700s. ('Kiri-age') Suiō-ryū School founded during the late Sengoku period (). ('Shihō-giri') Hōki-ryū School founded during the late Muromachi period (). ('Kissaki-gaeshi')
Seitei Iaido Seitei or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido (制定) are technical forms based on seitei-gata, or standard forms of sword-drawing techniques, created by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation).. This standard set of iaido kata was created in 1969 by a committee formed by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR). The twelve Seitei iaido forms (seitei-gata) are standardised for the tuition, promotion and propagation of iaido at the iaido clubs, that are members of the regional Kendo federations. All dojos, that are members of the regional Kendo federations teach this set. Since member federations of International Kendo Federation (FIK) uses seitei gata as a standard for their iaido exams and shiai, seitei iaido has become the most widely practised form of iaido in Japan and the rest of the world.
Suiō-ryū Iai Kenpō
Suiō-ryū has 9 standing kata and 9 counters to those kata.
Tachi Iai
1. Matsu Kaze (Pine Tree Wind) 2. Yoseru Nami (Approaching Wave) 3. Nami Gaesh (Returning Wave) 4. Sekka (Fire/Stone) 5. Koryû (Flowing Tiger) 6. Saza Nami (Calm Wave) 7. Ko Ran (Wild Tiger) 8. Uki Bune (Floating Boat) 9. Shin Ken (Heart/Mind Sword)
Tachi Iai Kage (Counters)
1. Fûtaku (Make sound) 2. Ryûyô (Willow Leaf) 3. Koyôhen (Dead Leaf Changing) 4. Nyoden (Female Lightening) 5. Koryûhen (Tiger Attack Changing) 6. Rengetsu (Water Lilies Moon) 7. Hagun (Breaking Militia) 8. Hyôyô (Rafting Leaves) 9. Asakaze (Morning Wind)
It also has five offensive and five defensive sitting kata.
Goyô no Kata
1. Ichi Monji (Straight Line) 2. Sei Getsu (Clear/True Moon) 3. Kasumi (Mist) 4. En Ren (Continuous Circle) 5. Iwa Kudaki (Rock Breaker)
Goin no Kata
1. Ryû Sui (Flowing Water) 2. En Kai (Swallow Turn/Counter) 3. Gyaku Fû (Reverse Wind) 4. Ura Kaze (Sea Breeze) 5. Sôro (Dew on the Grass)
Other organizations Single-style federations usually do not have a standardized "grading" set of kata, and use kata from their koryu curriculum for grading and demonstrations.
Schools
Many iaido organisations promote sword technique from the seiza (sitting position) and refer to their art as iaido. One of the popular versions of these is the Musō Shinden-ryū 夢想神伝流, an iaido system created by Nakayama Hakudō (1872–1958) in 1932.. The Musō Shinden-ryū is an interpretation of one of the Jinsuke-Eishin lines, called Shimomura-ha.