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, abbreviated , is a
Japanese martial art Japanese martial arts refers to the variety of martial arts native to the country of Japan. At least three Japanese terms (''budō'', ''bujutsu'', and ''bugei'') are used interchangeably with the English phrase Japanese martial arts. The usage ...
that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing
the sword The Sword is an American heavy metal band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2003, the band is composed of vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Santiago "Jimmy" Vela III for most of its ten ...
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 A sword is an edged and bladed weapons, edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. A thrusting sword tends to have a straighter ...
from its
scabbard A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, dagger, knife, or similar edged weapons. Rifles and other long guns may also be stored in scabbards by horse riders for transportation. Military cavalry and cowboys had scabbards for their saddle ring ...
(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 are logographic Chinese characters, adapted from Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script, used in the writing of Japanese language, Japanese. They were made a major part of the Japanese writing system during the time of Old Japanese and are ...
(i), (ai), and (dō)., p. 79. 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 is a combative quick-draw sword technique. This art of drawing the Japanese sword, katana, is one of the Japanese ''ko-ryū'' martial art disciplines in the education of the classical warrior (samurai, bushi).Gordon Warner, Warner, Gordon and D ...
(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.


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 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 for the most part performed solo as an issue of kata, executing changed strategies against single or various fanciful rivals. Every kata starts and finishes with the sword sheathed. Regardless of the sword method, creative ability and concentration are required to maintain the feeling of a genuine battle and to keep the kata new. Iaidoka are often expected to practice
kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...
to maintain the combative spirit. It is normal for high-ranking kendoka to hold high rank in iaido as well, and vice versa. To perform the kata appropriately, iaidoka likewise learn carriage, development, grip and swing. At times iaidoka will practice complementary kata 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 Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, Religious Confucianism, religion, theory of government, or way of li ...
, methods of
Zen Zen (; from Chinese: ''Chán''; in Korean: ''Sŏn'', and Vietnamese: ''Thiền'') is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition that developed in China during the Tang dynasty by blending Indian Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Yogacara and Madhyamaka phil ...
, philosophical
Taoism Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ' ...
, the purifying rites of
Shinto , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...
and aspects of
bushido is a Samurai moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle. Its origins date back to the Kamakura period, but it was formalized in the Edo period (1603–1868). There are multiple types of bushido which evolved significantl ...
.


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 ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...
currently recognised by the
All Japan Kendo Federation The is the governing body for Kendo in Japan, overseeing its development, competitions, and regulations across the country. Founded in 1952 and officially formed on March 14, 1954, it is a member of the International Kendo Federation and plays a ...
are (in Romanised form): # ''Mae'' # ''Ushiro'' # ''Ukenagashi'' # ''Tsuka-ate'' # ''Kesagiri'' # ''Morote-tsuki'' # ''Sanpōgiri'' # ''Ganmen-ate'' # ''Soete-zuki'' # ''Shihōgiri'' # ''Sōgiri'' # ''Nukiuchi'' Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using solitary forms, or
kata ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...
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 ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...
, 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 Zen (; from Chinese: ''Chán''; in Korean: ''Sŏn'', and Vietnamese: ''Thiền'') is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition that developed in China during the Tang dynasty by blending Indian Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Yogacara and Madhyamaka phil ...
." Most of the styles and schools do not practice ''
tameshigiri ''Tameshigiri'' (試し斬り, 試し切り, 試斬, 試切) is the Japanese art of target test cutting. The kanji literally mean ":wiktionary:試, test :wiktionary:切, cut" (kun'yomi: ためし ぎり ''tameshi giri''). This practice was popul ...
'', cutting techniques. A part of iaido is ''nukitsuke''. 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''.


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. 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 Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
,
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
.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 Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. 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 The Allies, formally referred to as the United Nations from 1942, were an international Coalition#Military, military coalition formed during World War II (1939–1945) to oppose the Axis powers. Its principal members were the "Four Policeme ...
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. The (ZNIR) was founded in 1948. In 1952, the (IMAF) was founded in
Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
,
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. IMAF is a Japanese organization promoting international
Budō is a Japanese language, Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. It is commonly translated as "Martial Way", or the "Way of Martial Arts". Etymology is a compound of the root ( or ; ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and ( or ; ), ...
,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 The is the governing body for Kendo in Japan, overseeing its development, competitions, and regulations across the country. Founded in 1952 and officially formed on March 14, 1954, it is a member of the International Kendo Federation and plays a ...
(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 is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th un ...
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 is a style of classical Japanese swordsmanship. It was founded by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu at the end of the Sengoku period. The style specialises in iaijutsu but other arts, such as jōjutsu, naginatajutsu and kusarigamajutsu are practised as ...
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.


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 '' Seiza '' ( or ; ; ) is the formal, traditional way of sitting in Japan. It involves a specific positioning and posture in a Kneeling, kneeled position so as to convey respect, particularly toward elders. It developed among samurai during t ...
(sitting position) and refer to their art as ''iaido''. One of the popular versions of these is the
Musō Shinden-ryū is a style of sword-drawing art (''iaido'') founded by Nakayama Hakudō (中山博道) in 1932. Nakayama Hakudō studied under Hosokawa Yoshimasa, a master of the ''Shimomura'' branch (下村派) of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū, and Morimoto Tokumi, ...
夢想神伝流, an iaido system created by
Nakayama Hakudō , also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaidō style Musō Shinden-ryū. He received hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendō, iaidō, and jōdō from the All Japan Kendo Federation. In addition, ...
(1872–1958) in 1932. The
Musō Shinden-ryū is a style of sword-drawing art (''iaido'') founded by Nakayama Hakudō (中山博道) in 1932. Nakayama Hakudō studied under Hosokawa Yoshimasa, a master of the ''Shimomura'' branch (下村派) of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū, and Morimoto Tokumi, ...
is an interpretation of one of the Jinsuke-Eishin lines, called Shimomura-ha. The other line of Jinsuke-Eishin, called Tanimura-ha, was created by Gotō Magobei Masasuke (died 1898) and Ōe Masaji Shikei (1852–1927). It was Ōe Masaji Shikei who began formally referring to his iaido branch as the
Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th un ...
無双直伝英信流 during the Taishō era (1912–1926). Another popular iai school mostly found worldwide is Mugai ryu. Mugai-ryū (無外流) or "Outer Nothingness School" is a Japanese koryū martial art school founded by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi (辻月丹資茂) on 23 June 1680. Its formal name is Mugai Shinden Kenpō (無外真伝剣法). Actually in the beginning, Mugai Ryu started as kenjutsu only school, but sent and recommended its disciples to learn another koryu named "Jikyo-ryu iaijutsu", and after Jikyo ryu vanished without any successor. It is renamed Mugai ryu iaijutsu/iaido up until today. Another popular Iaido school is
Toyama-ryū established in 1925 by a committee of senior experts of several sword traditions for the curriculum of the Rikugun Toyama Gakkō. The special school for training army personnel founded in 1873, called Rikugun Toyama Gakkō or " Toyama Army Aca ...
(戸山流), which was established in 1925 in Japan. It was created by the Japanese army during World War II to create a simplified form. This style emphasizes the most important aspects of drawing and cutting. After the war it became obsolete, but was revived after 1952.


Ranks

Ranking in iaido depends on the school and/or the member federations to which a particular school belongs. Iaido as it is practiced by the International Kendo Federation (FIK) and All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR) uses the kyu-dan system, created in 1883.The Belt Ranking Game
May 1991. Page 64.
Black Belt Magazine ''Black Belt'' is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports. The magazine is based in Hollywood, California, and is one of the oldest titles dedicated to martial arts in the United States. History and profile The magazine was ...
Modern kendo is almost entirely governed by the FIK, including the ranking system. Iaido is commonly associated with either the FIK or the ZNIR, although there are many extant koryū which may potentially use the
menkyo is a Japanese term meaning "license." It refers to the license to teach used by practitioners of various Japanese classical arts and martial arts certifying some license within the school or ryū. The ''menkyo'' system dates back to the 8th ce ...
system of grading, or a different system entirely. Iaido as governed by the FIK establishes 10th dan as the maximum attainable rank, though there are no living 10th practitioners in Kendo, there still remains many in Iaido. While there are some living 9th dan practitioners of kendo, the
All Japan Kendo Federation The is the governing body for Kendo in Japan, overseeing its development, competitions, and regulations across the country. Founded in 1952 and officially formed on March 14, 1954, it is a member of the International Kendo Federation and plays a ...
only currently awards up to 8th dan. Most other member federations of the FIK have followed suit.


International Iaido Sport Competition

Iaido, in its modern form, is practiced as a competitive sport, separately regulated by the
All Japan Kendo Federation The is the governing body for Kendo in Japan, overseeing its development, competitions, and regulations across the country. Founded in 1952 and officially formed on March 14, 1954, it is a member of the International Kendo Federation and plays a ...
and All Japan Iaido Federations. An iaido competition consists of two or more iaidoka performing their
kata ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...
next to each other and simultaneously. The competitors will be judged by a panel of judges according to the standardized regulations. The European Kendo Federation has arranged European iaido championships since 1993, and this competition continues to be held every year with a few exceptions.


Organisations

Many national and regional organisations manage and promote iaido activities. The following is a list of international organisations which include iaido: Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK), established in 1895 in Kyoto, approved and recognized the discipline iaido. The
International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is the oldest continuously operating Japanese organization promoting international Budō.''Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts''. MEDSPORTPRESS, 2011; 1(2); Vol. 2, page 50. The organization, founded in 1951, has headquarters in Tok ...
(IMAF) was established in Kyoto in 1952 and is dedicated to the promotion and development of the martial arts worldwide, including iaido. International Kendo Federation (FIK), established in 1970, an international organization for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo practitioners, which many national Kendo federations are a member of. All Japan Iaido Federation (or Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei) (ZNIR) was established in 1954 "in accordance with the Japanese bushido spirit to pass on the time-honoured system of Kobudo Iaido". The World
Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th un ...
Iaido Federation, established in Tokyo in 2011, is dedicated to ensuring the orthodox transmission of MJER Iaido to future generations worldwide, as well as promoting and preserving the development of other schools. Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei (ZNTIR) established in Machida Japan after WW II was created as "Toyama-Ryu Shinko kai" established by Tokutomi Tasaburo and Nakamura Taizaburo who were Gunto Soho instructors at the Toyama Ryu Military Academy for the Japanese Imperial Army. Over time the "Toyama-Ryu Shinko-Kai" was renamed as Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei, and practice eight kata from a derivative of Gunto Soho. Murayama City, the birthplace of iaido, operates a number of iaido experience and training programs. This includes training with some of the iaido masters and English-speaking teachers in Yamagata.


Ireland

Iaido is part of Kendo na hÉireann, the Irish Kendo Federation, which supports
Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...
, Iaido, and Jodo. Founded in 1998, the federation is affiliated with the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC), the European Kendo Federation, and the International Kendo Federation, with dojos in counties such as Cavan, Cork, Dublin, and Galway. In July 2014, the federation held its first Iaido Kyu Grading, marking an important step in the growth of ZNKR (aka ''Seitei Iai'') in Ireland, with five candidates participating. A decade later, in December 2024, Ireland’s first Shodan (1st Dan) grading took place in Dublin. Several other dojos across Ireland offer Iaido training: * Kenseikai Ireland Iaido Dojo — a
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
-based dojo practicing
Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th un ...
. * Ojika NI Dojo is located in
Belfast Belfast (, , , ; from ) is the capital city and principal port of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel ...
,
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
, this dojo practices modern Seitei Iaido for gradings and competitions, as well as the classical Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu style.


See also

*
Battōjutsu is an old term for iaijutsu (居合術). ''Battōjutsu'' is often used interchangeably with the terms ''iaijutsu'' and ''battō'' (抜刀).Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995) "The Koryu Bujutsu Experience" in ''Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditio ...
*
Fast draw Fast draw, also known as quick draw, is the ability to quickly draw a handgun and accurately fire it upon a target in the process. This skill was made popular by romanticized depictions of gunslingers in the Western genre, which in turn were in ...
*
Iaijutsu is a combative quick-draw sword technique. This art of drawing the Japanese sword, katana, is one of the Japanese ''ko-ryū'' martial art disciplines in the education of the classical warrior (samurai, bushi).Gordon Warner, Warner, Gordon and D ...
*
Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...
*
Kenjutsu is an umbrella term for all ('' ko-budō'') schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration. Some modern styles of kendo and iaido that were established in the 20th century also included modern forms o ...
*
Samurai The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
* Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido


References


External links

Following organisations are national Iaido federations in Japan:
All Japan Kendo Federation
(ZNKR/AJKF), a national organization for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo practitioners, member of FIK.
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)
in Kyoto, a national - and international organisation for iaido in Japan.
International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)
in Kyoto, a national - and international organisation for iaido in Japan. (
Wayback Machine The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the World Wide Web founded by Internet Archive, an American nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. Launched for public access in 2001, the service allows users to go "back in ...
copy)
All Japan Iaido Federation
(Specialized information site ZNIR).

(Nippon Iaido Renmei/NIR) (Wayback Machine copy) Iaido in the United States is under the auspices of th

(AUSKF) and the various regional Kendo federations that are members of the AUSKF. Iaido Training in Japan
Iaido training in Murayama City
{{Authority control Japanese martial arts Japanese swordsmanship Sports originating in Japan Swordsmanship