Notwithstanding sword method, it obliges creative ability and fixation to keep up the inclination of a genuine battle and to keep the kata new. Every kata starts and finishes with the sword sheathed. Iaido is for the most part performed solo as an issue of kata, executing changed strategies against single or various fanciful rivals. 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 encompasses 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 ?) ('the art of') with -dō ( 道 ?) in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize the philosophical or spiritual aspects of the practice. The term 'iaido' approximately translates into English as 'the way of mental presence and immediate reaction', and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudo. The 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, kyū 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 (i), 合 (ai), and 道 (dō). Please, send comments, suggestions and errors to site and all contents © Copyright European Kendo Federation 2009-2022, All rights reserved.Haruna Matsuo sensei (1925–2002) demonstrating Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu kata Ukenagashi The same applies with regard to updates relating to dojos, events or amendments as to individual persons/grades. For questions relating to dojos, clubs and training (place, time) please primarily contact the relevant Member Federation. Information as to persons and their dan-grades can be found at 'Person Grades' (left) and with the the individual federations. We organize European Championships, seminars and gradings, maintain a European Dan Register and support contacts between our members as well as maintaining the relationships on the global level (ZNKR, FIK). The European Kendo Federation ( EKF) is the overall non profit organization for the traditional Japanese martial arts of Kendo, Jodo and Iaido with more than 40 Member Federations in Europe.

Iaido info