The sword drawing art of Iaido has often been likened to "moving Zen." Although this may be an apt description, depending upon the goals and sustained efforts of the exponent Iai offers us a very demanding regimen where the devil is in the details. While learning nuance Iai compels us to project outwards. Improper training can easily reduce the movements (kata) into dance.
The student usually begins trainingwith bokken (wooden sword) and iaito (zinc-aluminum training blade) eventually developing skill sets necessary for using a live (sharp) edged sword. Without mastery of technique, the dangers are self-evident as one mistake, one error in judgment can bring tragic consequences.
Different schools of Iai have different "heiho" (strategies). Practitioners learn the curriculum of their specific school (ryuha).
Note: Jodo and Iaido can both be found in sets of kata (seitegata) selected so that various schools can train together with common elements under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF). This organization establishes technical guidelines for standarized testing and are not always promoting the same techniques as studied under a teacher of koryu.
We practice Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido as developed by the kenshi (sword saint) considered the modern founder of iai Nakayama Hakudo.