Iaido is a Japanese swordsmanship, and the techniques used are referred to as iaijutsu. Kenjutsu, which we also train in Aikido, is another swordsmanship art.  However, the main distinction between Iaido and Kenjutsu lies in their starting points.  In Kenjutsu, practitioners begin with both drawing their swords from the scabbards, engaging in a mutual confrontation or dueling motion called "tachiai." On the other hand, Iaido forms are structured from the point where one encounters an opponent while in various positions such as seated, standing, or walking in their daily life, with the sword still sheathed.

Iaido training involves repeated practice of prescribed forms called kata using unsharpened training sword called Iaito.  The focus is not on competing with an opponent but rather on individual repetition of the predetermined kata to strive for mastery of the techniques.

At Ryushinjuku, our current training and practice include the Shoden (Ōmori-ryū), Chūden (Hasegawa Eishin-ryū), and Okuden (Oku-iai) of Musō Shinden-ryū, as well as standing forms of Shindō Munen-ryū and Seitei Iai of All Japan Kendo Federation.