KATANA (IAIDO) – Japanese Sword

Japanese KATANA Sword IAIDO

The art of learning to properly and safely draw, cut, and sheath with the Japanese KATANA is called IAIDO.  Very few people in the United States train this art, therefore, learning IAIDO (pronounced ‘ee’-‘yai’-‘doh’) is a rare privilege in today’s society.  The word IAIDO translates as “the way of mental presence and immediate reaction.”

IAIDO is a product of Japan’s 17th and 18th century EDO-period, commonly known as the era of the SHOGUN.  Renowned Japanese martial artist, NAKAYAMA, HAKUDO (1873-1958), coined the term IAIDO and is the founder of the style of IAIDO practiced in Castle Rock – MUSO-SHINDEN RYU.

IAIDO is practiced by beginners with a safer, less than razor sharp Japanese KATANA sword. This sword is called an IAITO (pronounced ‘ee’-‘eye’-‘toe’) and it is often made of a zinc/aluminum alloy. The IAITO must be handled with care because although the blade of a IAITO is blunt, it is still very much capable of injuring you or another. A good IAITO is identical or nearly identical in size, shape, and decorative fittings and finishings to real Japanese SAMURAI swords, but are not suited for any form of actual martial combat.

High ranking black belts often use a live blade (a SHINKEN) when practicing IAIDO and/or a target-cutting practice called TAMESHIGIRI.

People choose to train IAIDO for numerous and varied reasons. Here are some of the more common ones:

• • • You are interested in the historical SAMURAI culture
    • You want to learn and practice the philosophy and discipline of BUSHIDO
    • You are an aficionado or collector of swords from many cultures
    • You know you should meditate, but can’t sit still; IAIDO is meditation with a sword!

• • • You desire to be more assertive; to forge a powerful spirit of self-confidence within yourself and take that spirit deeper into your personal life
    • You wish to practice martial arts, but think you may be too old or believe your body isn’t up for a more dynamic activity
    • You seek to strengthen your muscular core in your spine, torso, pelvis, legs, chest and shoulders in a fun way!
    • You want to develop more personal charisma by improving your posture, hand-eye coordination, balance, and graceful economy of movement

• • Your career or home environment is stressful, and you need a mental escape
  • You have worked from home on Zoom ever since Covid and crave to be around other adults
  • You don’t ski and you’re not into NFL, but want to learn something fun in winter
  • In the event of a zombie apocalypse or if society collapses (WTSHTF), you’ll need to be proficient with a weapon that never runs out of ammo!

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. Come see what our program has to offer.

Ideal for the “aging athlete”
and dynamic and challenging enough for the young person in their prime.
You’re never too old or too out-of-shape to begin training IAIDO.
IAIDO is well suited to those wanting to avoid over-exerting themselves.
There is no falling, no rolling, and no body contact in IAIDO.