Iaido Basic Concepts
- Iaido
- I (居) = to be, Ai (合) = to match, Do (道) = way of life – “The way arising from one’s attitude toward life.”
- Budo
- The way of martial arts.
- Bushido
- The way of the warrior; the classical code of conduct assumed for an honorable samurai.
- Ryu
- School or style.
- Seitei-Iai
- The twelve Iai kata forming the standard base of the national federation; also called Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iai.
- Koryu
- Traditional (old) school of training.
- Muso Shinden Ryu
- The school found through inspiration; a globally represented collection of related ryū.
- Shoshin
- Beginner’s mind—openness and receptivity, valued even for advanced practitioners.
- Fushin
- Stagnant mind: constrained by preconceptions, fear, or doubt; mistrust, lack of freedom.
- Heijoshin
- Steady, unshakable mind—appropriate in daily life and in combat.
- Mushin
- Mind without obstruction: an experienced martial artist’s immediate, unhesitant response.
- Mukamae
- Natural readiness without fixed form or expectation.
- Muga
- Selflessness / absence of ego.
Dojo Orientation
- Dojo
- Place where the Dō is practiced; training hall.
- Shomen
- Agreed main practice direction / front of the dojo. Reference.
- Regi
- Behavior and conduct inside the dojo.
- Reishiki
- Etiquette, manners.
- Reiho
- System of formal behavior specific to Iaido.
- Rei
- Bow / salute.
- Tachirei
- Bowing while standing.
- Seiza
- Kneeling posture.
- Iaihiza
- Seated posture with the right leg upright.
- Tatehiza
- Upright seated posture with the right leg up, hips aligned.
- Zarei
- Bowing while seated.
- To/To ni Rei
- Bowing to the sword.
- Kamiza/ni Rei
- Honor seat / bow to the kamiza.
- Sensei / Sensei ni Rei
- Teacher / bow to the teacher.
- Kohai
- Junior student.
- Sempai
- Senior student.
- Kyu
- Student rank.
- Dan
- Advanced rank (e.g., black belt).
Dojo Vocabulary
- Onegaishimasu
- We request instruction.
- Arigatogozaimashita
- We thank you (for the teaching).
- Hajime / Hajimemasho
- Begin / let’s start!
- Owari / Yame, Owarimasho
- End / let’s finish!
- Hai
- Yes, understood.
- Dame
- Incorrect / not acceptable.
- Mo hitotsu
- Once more.
- Datto
- Sheathing or dropping the sword.
- Kiritsu
- Stand up.
- Suburi
- Swing practice.
- Taiso
- Physical warm-up / calisthenics.
- Keiko
- Training; Midori Keiko: learning by observation.
- Embu
- Demonstration.
- Kotai
- Partner change.
- Taikai
- Event / tournament.
- Shiai
- Match / competition.
- Shobu ari
- Result of the match.
- Gogi
- Interruption in the contest.
- Hante
- End of the contest.
- Shinpan
- Referee.
Techniques
- Tategiri
- Vertical cut.
- Nukitsuke
- Drawing the sword; initial action.
- Sayabiki / Sayabanare
- Pulling the saya / movement of the scabbard.
- Kakaru Ashi
- Foot placement in preparation for Nukitsuke.
- Te no uchi
- Rotation of hand and forearm for controlled cut.
- Sae
- Sharpness, clarity, and precision of a cut.
- Sayanouchi
- Victory without drawing the sword.
- Hasuji
- Cutting line / accuracy of the strike.
- Furikaburi
- Winding back / preparing the sword for the next cut.
- Kiritsuke
- Final cut from the end position.
- Chiburi
- Symbolic shaking off of blood; finalizing the encounter.
- Chinugui
- Wiping the blade before cleaning.
- Hikinuki
- Pulling out and lifting the blade.
- Noto
- Returning the sword into the saya.
Body
- Men
- Head.
- Te
- Hand.
- Me
- Eye.
- Do
- Torso / abdominal region.
- Hara
- Abdominal center, core / balance point.
- Harakiri
- Stomach cutting = ritual suicide (Seppuku).
- Kesa
- Lower abdomen.
- Ashi
- Foot.
- Ayumi Ashi
- Normal stepping movement, most often paired with sword technique.
- Suri Ashi
- Sliding foot movement, also called “shuffling.”
- Ashizukai
- The way steps are used; three variants are distinguished:
- Ugoki o okosu tame no ashizukai: Step to initiate movement or invite a reaction from the opponent to create an opening.
- Maai o hakaru tame no ashizukai: Step to measure and control Maai (distance/timing).
- Shōbu ni hairu tame no ashizukai: Step to enter the decisive phase—committed final step.
These are executed as Shō (small), Chū (medium), and Dai (large), referring to both step length and intensity.
Kata
- Kata
- Full sequence of movement; training form.
- Ikita Kata
- Fully lived, understood, and authentic kata.
- Waza
- Technique.
- Tachiwaza
- Standing technique.
- Renzokuwaza
- Continuous / connected techniques.
- Kokyu
- Breath; rhythm or flow in movement. Breathe three times before the kata, then perform it in one breath.
- Kihon
- Fundamental techniques; correct and continuous structural movement, practiced consistently starting from Seitei-Iai.
- Ki Ken Tai Ichi
- Spirit, sword, and body unified; seamless interaction in kata.
Stance / Position
- Kamae
- Ready posture; various positions possible.
- Hasso no Kamae
- Left foot forward, sword near the right side of the head.
- Chudan no Kamae
- Sword held in mid-level, forward-facing position.
- Jodan no Kamae
- Upper-level sword posture.
- Katate Uchi / Waza
- One-handed technique, e.g., snapping the sword forward.
- Gedan no Kamae
- Lower sword posture.
- Waki no Kamae
- Concealed side posture with the sword behind the body.
- Shizentai
- Natural stance, sword held to the side.
- Sayaate
- Contact of two sayas (to be avoided; can be used as challenge).
- Ma-ai
- Spatial distance to the opponent.
- Kami no ashi
- Foot closest to the kamiza.
Orientation
- Embusen / Enbusen
- Imaginary line of the kata’s pattern.
- Seichusen
- Correct central line to the opponent; advantageous for oneself, disadvantageous for the opponent.
- Ma
- Rhythm / timing between actions and movements.
- Metsuke
- Direction of gaze; focus of attention.
- Kan Ken no Metsuke
- Two aspects of seeing: Kan = looking; Ken = sensing the truth.
- Enzan no Metsuke
- Gaze toward distant mountains—holistic perception.
Equipment
- Keikogi
- Training clothing.
- Gi
- Jacket with traditional Japanese cut.
- Obi
- Wide belt, about 4 meters long.
- Hakama
- Wide pleated trousers / skirt.
- Hakamasabaki
- Arrangement of the hakama for sitting.
- Koshiita
- Back support of the hakama.
- Zori
- Sandals for dojo area.
- Mon
- Family crest on clothing.
Sword
- Saya
- Wooden scabbard.
- Tsuba
- Sword guard.
- Tsuka
- Hilt / handle.
- Sageo
- Cord attached to the saya.
- Koiguchi
- Opening of the saya (“carp mouth”).
- Monouchi
- The cutting part near the tip (roughly the last third); should appear “filled.”
- Kissaki
- Tip of the blade.
- Bokken / Bokuden
- Wooden practice sword.
- Shinai
- Bamboo sword used in kendo.
- Iaito
- Practice sword for Iaido.
- Shaku
- Length measure (~30.3 cm); commonly 2.4–2.8 shaku in Europe.
- Mekugi
- Bamboo peg securing the tang (check before use!).
- Katana / Shinken
- Sharp forged sword.
- Tameshigiri
- Cutting test with a sharp blade.
Understanding
- Shuren
- Discipline of training.
- Zanshin
- Continuous awareness; undistracted vigilance.
- Mushin
- Empty, unobstructed mind.
- Jiri-Ichi
- Theory and practice as one.
- Shishin
- Guiding intention / aspiration of the heart.
- Heijoshin
- Everyday mind: command of the situation in all circumstances.
- Dai-kyo-soku-kei
- Large, powerful, fast, soft/light: desired quality of body and sword movement.
- Jo-ha-kyu
- Gradation slow–medium–fast. See Nukitsuke.
- Kan-kyu-kyo-jaku
- Variation in tempo and power (hard/soft, fast/slow).
- Meri-hari
- Modulation between extremes; dynamic contrast.
- Kigurai
- Calm presence grounded in awareness.
- Fukaku
- Deep understanding / depth of character.
- Hin-I
- Dignity as opposite of brutality.
- Kokoro
- Heart / inner character.
- Seme
- Applying pressure to the opponent; controlling timing to mask one’s own vulnerability.
- Shuhari
- Learning progression in three stages: Shu (imitation), Ha (understanding), Ri (innovation).
- Saya no uchi no kachi
- Victory without drawing the sword; the conflict is decided mentally.
- Kasōteki
- Clear mental image of the adversary.