>To understand the martial art of Iaido, it is helpful to know its technical terms. They serve as keys to internalizing the philosophy, techniques, and etiquette of the dojo. This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of the most important Japanese vocabulary you will encounter in training.
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.
- Embusen / Enbusen
- Imaginary line of the kata movement path; strictly frontal in Seitei-Iai kata, simplified for basic practice.
- Seichusen
- Vertical centerline of one’s own body. Advantageous movement protects it while creating a disadvantage 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.
- Tame
- Accumulation and theatrical delay prior to a strike to demonstrate energy. Visually appealing, but fatal in actual combat.
- Renzoku-waza
- Continuous, seamless techniques with fluid continuity; energy is generated internally.
- 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.