Iaido is a Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students of iaido may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, many of those who study iaido use an unsharpened sword (iaito).

Advanced practitioners of iaido use a sharpened metal sword (shinken). Because iaido teaches the use of actual metal weaponry, it is almost entirely based on the teaching of forms, or kata. Multiple person kata do exist within some forms of iaido, but the iaidoka (practitioners of iaido) will usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does not include direct competition or sparring of any kind.

• This is a free program open to all Academy Black Belt students with prior approval from Sensei Sutton
• The class meets once or twice a week depending on student schedules
• A traditional hakama is worn with the Academy uniform
• A wooden boken with scabbord and a quality sword will need to be purchased

Benefits include improved physical coordination and dexterity as well as mental concentration and focus. Proper etiquette and exacting technique are developed through intense concentration and serenity. This distinguishes Iaido from martial other arts. This level of mastery can be nurtured through individual practice without an actual opponent, making Iaido an excellent martial art for an older person who is seeking personal development.

In virtually all schools of Iai, the kata are composed of four essential elements.


• Nukitsuke - The initial draw and simultaneous cut
• Kiritsuke - The decisive finishing cut
• Chiburi - A symbolic shaking of blood from the blade
• Noto - Resheathing the sword


Practically all kata have these fundamental parts in some combination or other, but may also include blocks, deflections, thrusts, and multiple cuts, depending on the scenario.

HONESTY . INTEGRITY . PROFESSIONALISM