About Iaido

The full name of the style of iaido that is the most widely practiced in Japan today is Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and claims a lineage about 450 years long, making it the second oldest existing martial art form in Japan, the first being the kenjutsu style of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.

Iaido is organized in combat scenarios – called waza - the focus on surprise attacks by one or more antagonists. This means that the technique starts with the draw of the sword.

Each waza can be broken down into five sequences:

- NUKITSUKE: cutting while drawing.
- FURIKABURI: raising the sword to cut.
- KIRIOROSHI :executing the decisive cut(s).
- CHIBURI : making a movement to shake off the blood from the blade.
- NOTO : sheathing the sword.

A student has to repeat ceaselessly every single technique to succeed drawing his sword from standing or sitting positions, while static or in movement.

The learning method consists of progressively acquiring the ground techniques, in order to master both the handling of the sword and the unfolding of several groups of waza. By training regularly and for a long time, by oneself or with the team, the student will especially improve his balance, movement coordination, endurance and concentration. From a more personal point of view, a student will develop self control, confidence and open-mindedness. In fact, group training sessions at the dojo encourage cooperative spirit and sociability.