Iaido History

 

The true spirit of Iai does not necessarily mean to cut an enemy, but rather to cut the enemy within oneself. Victory in Iai is the non-revengeful heart and the cessation of conflict through not drawing the sword. In other words, Iai is a training process toward human perfection, never of murderous intent, but peaceful-minded. In the larger sense Iai means the way of Dwelling in Harmony; through endless practice seeking harmony with the Universe. 

Iaido and kendo are inseparable; the sword drawing techniques of Iaido and the spirit within the attack and defence moves are fully applicable to the practice of kendo. Historically the samurai regarded Kendo and Iai as the same discipline.

The deteriorating social and political conditions of the late Muromachi period led to violent competition for power between samurai clans Therefore skill in the use of the sword become essential for the warriors self defence and for social advancement; consequently Kenjitsu entered a period of great growth within the bushi.

Although Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1546-1621), didn't invent Iai, or Batto Jutsu as it was known, he is credited with popularising the art. Very little is known of hayashizaki, but it is believed that his Batto Jutsu consisted of only five Tachi waza or walking techniques.

About 100 years later a renowned swordsman called Chikaranosuke Eishin, developed the art further by introducing seated forms from the semi crouching position when wearing armour, similar to what is known today as Tate Hisa. The need to defend the hearth and home, as well as the need to be on ones guard at all times led to a series of techniques that were used from a seated or rest position that we know as seiza.

Much later still Nakayama Hakudo the 16th headmaster of Jinsuke Eishin Ryu who died in 1958, developed and introduced the Muso Shinden Ryu, which together with the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, are the two most popular styles of Iaido practised in the world today.

To promote Iai the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei asked leading masters from the major sword schools to devise a set of techniques that could be used to encourage kendoka to study the sword, these forms known as Seitei Iai are used by the international Iai community as one of the main criteria for exams within the discipline of Iaido.