Iaido Testimonials
"I can see how Iaido can carry over to the rest of my life with a self-contained pursuit of constant improvement. Iaido also gives me a much needed outlet of physical and mental exertion, and time to focus on myself in a stressful work week and career."
- Anders
Castle Rock, CO
"Iwakabe Senei is a fantastic instructor. She's patient, but demanding; commanding, but kind; has a great sense of humor and is a fantastic communicator. The class attracts really nice people. It's so much fun and I always look forward to attending."
- Sean
Castle Rock, CO
"Thank you for your passion, vision and resolve in the creation of the Castle Rock Iaido Program... You have enabled me to pursue a long-held dream of studying Iai. I know I (can be) coarse and heavy-handed and it is my hope that Iai will assist me in some modest personal refinement. Your aesthetic awareness and appreciation for excellence has created a powerful environment of which you should be very proud."
- Peter
Castle Rock, CO
"You have a great dojo, wonderful instructors, and friendly group
of students."
- Joey
Littleton, CO
Iaido Classes
Learn the Art of Drawing the Japanese Samurai Sword
t
Call (720) 221-3665
Renowned Japanese martial artist, Nakayama Hakudo (1873-1958 ), is generally credited with coining the term Iaido and is the founder of the style of Iaido practiced in Castle Rock called Muso-Shinden-Ryu.
CLICK HERE to watch an old video of Nakayama Hakudo performing Iaido.
Iaido is a distinct, non-combative form of martial arts intended to cultivate a practitioner’s spirit. Unlike other sword arts, Iaido is generally practiced as a solo exercise or ‘tandoku keiko.’ Like Aikido, Iaido is purely a defensive martial practice.
The art of Iaido involves four stages of sword mechanics:
1. the draw (Nukitsuke); 2. the cutting action (Kiritsuke); 3. the removal of blood from the blade (Chiburi); and 4. the return of the blade to its scabbard (Noto) In the proper practice of Iaido, each of these stages must be performed in an efficient manner and smoothly blended into a single unit of performance over which an unbroken state of relaxed alertness and awareness or ‘Zanshin’ is present.
Mastery of the art of Iaido is immensely challenging because the ultimate purpose of Iaido is to acquire the ability to win over your enemy without drawing your sword; that is, to spiritually conquer your opponent with your sword left in the sheath.
About Iaido
Iaido (pronounced ‘ee’-‘yai’-‘doh’) is the traditional Japanese art of drawing, cutting, and retracting the Japanese samurai sword or 'katana.' The word Iaido literally translates as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction." The art of Iaido is a product of Japan’s 17th and 18th century Edo-period, more commonly known by Americans as the era of the Shogun.
The Iaido Sword
Iaido is practiced by beginners, and those ranked 3rd degree black belt and below, with an unsharpened Japanese katana sword. This sword is called an Iaito (pronounced ‘ee’-‘eye’-‘toe’) and it is often made of a zinc/aluminum alloy or a similar substance. Even though the blade of a Iaito is blunt, it is still very much capable of harming a person, so it must be handled with the utmost of care.
Some higher ranking black belts often use a real, live blade, called a Shinken, when practicing Iaido. A good Iaito is identical or nearly identical in size, shape, weight, and decorative fittings and finishings to real Japanese samurai swords. However, they are for practice only and are not suited for any form of martial combat. To properly and safely practice Iaido, a student’s Iaito must fit them in length, weight, and balance.
The Iaido Uniform
The art of Iaido is practiced wearing a traditional martial arts uniform or 'keikogi' (pronounced 'kay'-'ko'-'ghee'), which includes the stylish pleated pants called a 'hakama.' Hakama were traditionally worn by samurai and courtiers during the Shogun period of Japan (1603-1868).
The hakama is also worn by students of other Japanese martial arts including Kendo, Kyudo (Japanese archery), and Aikido. Aikido students who have reached a certain level of proficiency, for example, wear hakama. However, in the art of Iaido, all students begin their training wearing a hakama.
Most hakama have seven pleats in them, five in the front, and two in the back. Some contend that these seven pleats are symbolize the seven virtues of Bushido.
Our Iaido classes are separate from our Aikido program. You do not have to be an Aikido student to take our Iaido classes. Students can start training with us at any time. Please fill out the short form below for class times, prices, and more information about our Iaido classes.
First Name:
Last Name:
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Iaido Experience:
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Why are you most interested in Iaido?
Click Here to learn more about our Iaido instructor, 3rd degree black belt, Iwakabe, Monica Sensei.
Please come watch an Iaido class with us!
There is no financial commitment to completing this form.
Meet our Iaido Instructors
No martial arts experience necessary!
New Students Welcome!
READ From Iaijutstu to Iaido: The Evolution of a Killing Art to a Spiritual Discipline
Why Practice Iaido?
People choose to train Iaido for numerous and varied reasons. Here are some of the most common ones:
- You have always been enamored with samurai culture and you want to learn more about the art, philosophy, and discipline of Bushido.
- You want to forge a powerful spirit of self-confidence within yourself and take that spirit deeper into your personal and work life.
- You still want to practice a martial art, but think you may be too old or believe your body isn't up for a more dynamic activity. You're never too old or too out-of-shape to begin Iaido. There is no falling, no rolling, and no contact. So injury is very rare. This means you can still learn a fun, powerful martial art without having to go to the office the next morning covered in bruises!
- You want to strengthen your core muscular in your arms, back, torso, pelvis, legs and shoulder, but you want to do so in a fun way!
- You want to improve your hand-eye coordination, balance, and graceful economy of movement.
- You have a stressful work or home environment and you need a weekly mental escape.
- You're looking for a martial art that you can practice just one evening per week!
Through Iaido training, you can learn to project a powerful aura in everyday situations. In time, you can cultivate a commanding confidence and demanding respect of and within yourself by mastering your physical body and projecting it to the world. Please come see what our program has to offer you.
The Purpose of Practicing Iaido
The purpose of practicing Iaido is:
To mold the mind and body;
To cultivate a vigorous spirit;
And, through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Iaido;
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor;
To associate with others with sincerity;
And, to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able
to love his country and society;
To contribute to the development of culture;
And to promote peace
and prosperity among all people.
First Name:
Last Name:
e-mail Address:
confirm e-mail:
Contact Phone:
Iaido Experience:
Martial Arts Experience:
How did you hear about us?:
Why are you most interested in Iaido?
Send us your e-mail and we'll send you an invitation to come watch an Iaido class to see if it's right for you!
There is no financial commitment to completing this form.
