| General Information |
Iaido is a Japanese martial art focusing on drawing the sword and cutting in one motion. The art is practiced solo with a real sword or in some styles with a partner using a wooden sword.The art has had many names over the years, but ‘iaido’ was accepted around 1930. The art is a Japanese budo and as such is intended mainly as a method of self-development, but is also practiced as a sport. The concentration and focus necessary to perfect the movements are beneficial for the mind. The art also demands excellent posture and the ability to generate power from many positions (Taylor 2001).The metaphysical aspects in iaido have been influenced by several philosophical and religious directions. Iaido is a blend of the ethics of Confucianism, methods of Zen, the philosophical Taoism, the purificatory rites of Shintoism and aspects from bushido (Warner and Draeger 1982: 101).Essentially Iaido is a non-competitive martial art, but competitions where practitioners perform set movements in front of judges do take place (Crudelli 2010: 218). |
| History/Development |
Iaido started in the mid-1500s, at that time warriors started to wear the swords through their belt with the sharp edge upwards. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is generally acknowledged as the organizer of Iaido (Taylor 2001). |
Transmission
(Policies/institutions) |
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| Relevant Organisations |
- All Japan Kendo Federation
https://www.kendo.or.jp/en
- All Japan Iaido Federation
- International Kendo Federation
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| Additional Materials |
- The Iaido Journal
https://ejmas.com/tin/
- Demonstration at the 51st All-Japan Iaido Championships in 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WkwFCXfCkQ |
| References |
- Taylor, K. (2001). “Iaido”. In Green, T. (ed.). Martial arts of the world: an encyclopedia, Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.- Crudelli, C. (2010). The Way of the Warrior: Martial Arts and Fighting Skills from Around the World, London: Dorling Kindersley.- Warner, G. & Draeger, D.F. (1982). Japanese Swordmanship. Techniques and Practice. Boston: Weatherhill. |
*See also kendo; kenjutsu |
