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Iaido is the art of drawing the sword. This traditional Japanese sword art dates back to the 16th century and takes the student along a path that balances the techniques of the sword with a focus on etiquette, honor, spirit and awareness. Iaido is often considered a form of “moving Zen”—referring to the state of mind, and unification of mind, body, spirit and sword that one seeks to attain while practicing Iaido.

Iaido kata have the following four components common to them, through which the deeper aspects of the art can be developed:

1. Nukitsuke – the drawing of and initial cut with the sword
2. Kirioroshi – one or more follow-on cuts that finish the engagement with one or more opponents
3. Chiburi – the cleansing of the blade done via flicking, cutting or dripping motions
4. Noto – the re-sheathing and conclusion of the kata, when the threat has been eliminated.

Instruction in Iaido at Zenshinkan includes two families of kata, or forms. These are the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) Seitei Iai and the forms of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. The ZNKR, or All Japan Kendo Federation, established a set of twelve forms that are taken from different schools of Iaido represented in the federation. These forms provide the Iaidoka—student of Iai—with exposure to numerous diverse techniques and provides a normalized method for the Federation to maintain quality and tradition.

Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu is a koryu, or classical school, of Iaido whose traditions date back some 450 years. There are several sets of forms, each somewhat advancing in difficulty, that allow the student to learn and feel a style of swordsmanship that was practiced by the Samurai of old with traditions maintained through today. As the student progresses, the forms of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu will become the dominant methods practiced.

Students aged 13 and older can begin studying Iaido at any time and may begin their first classes with loose, comfortable clothing (e.g. sweats and a t-shirt) and a bokken (wooden sword). Once a student is comfortable, they may don the traditional gi and hakama used by practicioners. Students may also use iaito, which are unsharpened swords made for safe practice of Iaido. Shinken, or live/sharpened blades, may only be used upon approval and inspection by the instructor.

Students practicing Iaido are not given rank at the dojo, instead, to maintain tradition and quality of these ancient arts, those desiring rank can become members of the All US Kendo Federation (AUSKF), which is the US-based extension of the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) and test for rank at federation events before a quorum of top-ranking instructors from the US and those visiting from Japan. Aside from promotion exams, seminars and tournaments occur a few times during the year with a mixture of regional and national events.