Iaido

What is Iaido? Iaido is the technique of swift and fluently drawing of the sword followed by a direct attack. Iaido consists of the following elements: Nukitsuke, the drawing of the sword, immediately followed by a cut Kiritsuke, the dictly following strike, cut or stab Chiburi, assuming the opponent is down the swordblade is shaken free of blood Noto, the reinserting of the sword in its scabbard   All movements are to be executed in a most fluent, clear an resolute manner. Techniques includes fast reactions to attacks from the front, back and sides by one or more opponents and from a sitting as well from a standing position. The execution is characterized by concentration and a continuing vigilance (Zanshin). Even though there is no real opponent, while executing Iaido techniques one has to create an opponent in one's mind and to imagine a threat as realistic as possible. If not, Iaido is reduced to a series of meaningless movements.