In Iaido, the “I” stands for the existence of both body and spirit, while the “ai” symbolizes their adaptability to changing situations. The “do” means that Iaido is more than just a martial art; it’s a way of life. So, Iaido can be literally translated as “the way of meeting life.”
Iaido started from the ancient martial art of Kenjutsu and evolved into an art focused on drawing the sword from its scabbard (nukitsuke), killing an opponent with a single stroke (kiritsuke), flicking blood off the blade (chiburi), and sheathing the sword (noto). This allowed practitioners to respond swiftly and effectively to surprise attacks or even launch their own.
The faster a warrior could draw their sword and strike, the better their chances of winning. The swords were razor-sharp, so even a small cut could be lethal if done right. The cuts were designed to be several inches long and could go two to four inches deep, making the bleeding nearly impossible to stop. Many techniques aimed to slice major arteries, puncture vital organs, or even sever limbs. The goal was straightforward: to kill an opponent with one cut.