Iaidoka (and kendoka) wield a sword not to control their opponent, but to control themselves. Iaido is mostly performed solo as a series of kata, executing varied techniques against single or multiple imaginary opponents. Each kata begins and ends with the sword sheathed. In addition to sword technique, it requires imagination and concentration in order to maintain the feeling of a real fight and to keep the kata fresh. Iaidoka are often recommended to practice kendo to preserve that fighting feel; it is common for high ranking kendoka to hold high rank in iaido and vice versa.
In order to properly perform the kata, iaidoka also learn posture and movement, grip and swing. Sometimes iaidoka will practice partner kata similar to kendo or kenjutsu kata. Unlike kendo, iaido is never practised in a free-sparring manner.
Seitei-gata iaido (that set of techniques recommended by the ZNKR) is
like a moving meditation - the draw and cut are very deliberate,
formalized and beautiful. It is as far removed from iai-jutsu as kendo is
from kenjutsu. Iaijutsu is more direct and forceful, less concerned with
the state of the practitioner's mind and more with dispatching the
opponent.
Having said that, iaido schools are generally affiliated with a particular
ryu of iaido. In addition to the seitei-gata, students also learn their own
ryu's techniques, which may be close to the seitei-gata in feeling or
close to what is described here as iaijutsu. It's not completely black and
white.
The only (legitimate) ryu that usually calls itself iaijutsu that the author
knows of is the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. Katori Shinto Ryu
is a bujutsu ryu, meaning many types of armed and unarmed combat are
taught. Most other so-called iaijutsu schools are run by charlatans.
Two of the oldest iaido ryu extant today are Tatsumi Ryu and Shindo
Munen Ryu. The other ryu listed here, and most of the ryu practiced
today come from a common root, the Muso Ryu of Hayashizaki Jinsuke
Shigenobu. These include Sekiguchi Ryu, Hoki Ryu, Tamiya Ryu,
Jushin Ryu, Suio Ryu and Ichinomiya Ryu.
The most popular (in terms of numbers of students) forms of iaido are
represented by the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and the Muso Shinden Ryu.
The iaido of the ZNKR is heavily based on these two schools, that of
the ZNIR (Zen-Nippon Iaido Renmei, the All-Japan Iaido Federation)
mostly based on the former. Most modern students belong to one of the
two ryu, plus the ZNKR or ZNIR.
Toyama Ryu and Dai Nihon Batto Ho are offshoots of Muso Jikiden
Eishin Ryu, although Toyama Ryu is actually just a subset.
There are many other ryu, especially in Japan. This has been a partial
listing of the most popular.
2a. OK, then what is iaijutsu?
Iaijutsu is the art of killing on the draw. Iaijutsu teaches how to draw
quickly and in such a fashion as to negate an opponents attack with
finality.
2b. Are there different styles of iaido/iaijutsu?
Iai is like karate, it is a broad "method of combat" which involves
drawing and cutting like karate involves kicking and punching. The
various styles are just that, styles. The main thrust stays constant.
kjartan@ii.uib.no