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{{Short description|Japanese martial art}}
{{Distinguish|Iaijutsu|Battōjutsu}}
{{redirect|Iai|other uses|IAI (disambiguation)}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
{{Infobox martial art
| logo =
| logocaption =
| logosize =
| image =
| imagecaption = Iaidō
| imagesize =
| name = Iaidō<br/>居合道<br/>いあいどう
| aka =
| focus =  [[Weaponry]]
| hardness = [[Kata|Forms]] competitions only.
| country = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Japan]]
| creator = 
| parenthood = [[Iaijutsu]]<ref name="Sport2012" /><ref name="Draeger1974Page67-68">Draeger, Donn F. (1974) Modern bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. (Vol. III). New York: Weatherhill. Page 67-68. {{ISBN|0-8348-0351-8}}</ref>
| famous_pract =
| olympic = No
}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Iaidō'''''|居合道}}, abbreviated {{Nihongo|''iai''|居合}},<ref>{{citation
| editor-last = Hall| editor-first = David A.
| others = (Reviewing.) Irie Kōhei, Omiya Shirō and Koike Masaru.
| title = Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts
| publisher = Kodansha USA, Inc. | year = 2012
| location = New York, USA | page = 168
| isbn = 978-1-56836-410-0}}.</ref> is a [[Japanese martial art]] that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing [[Japanese sword|the sword]] and responding to sudden attacks.<ref name="Encyclopedia553">Christensen, Karen and Allen Guttmann et.al (2001) ''International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports: H-R''. Macmillan Reference USA, Page 553.</ref>

Iaido consists of four main components: the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the [[sword]] from its [[scabbard]] (or [[saya (scabbard)|saya]]), striking or cutting an opponent, shaking blood from the blade, and replacing the sword in the scabbard.<ref name="Sport2012">John Nauright, Charles Parrish, edited (2012) ''Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice''. ABC-CLIO. Page 226. {{ISBN|978-1-59884-300-2}}</ref> While beginning practitioners of iaido<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/fashion/16physicalculture.html?pagewanted=2&%2334;H%C3%83%C2%A9lio%20gracie&sq&st=cse&%2334;&scp=3|title=Choose Your Weapon: Exotic Martial Arts |newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2010-12-12|first=Mandy|last=Katz|date=2009-04-16}}</ref> may start learning with a wooden sword ([[bokutō]] 木刀) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, most of the practitioners use a blunt-edged sword called an [[iaitō]] or ''mogitō''.<ref name="ArmstrongPage32">Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995) ''The koryu Bujutsu Experience'' in Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan (ed. by Diane Skoss). Koryu Books. Page 31. {{ISBN|1-890536-04-0}}</ref> Few, more experienced, iaido practitioners use a sharp-edged sword (''[[shinken]]'').<ref name="WarnerPage102">{{citation
| last2 = Warner| first2 = Gordon | author2-link = Gordon Warner
| first1 = Donn F. | last1= Draeger | author1-link = Donn F. Draeger
| title = Japanese Swordsmanship - Technique and Practice
| publisher = Weatherhill | year = 1982
| location = Boston/London | page = 102
| isbn = 978-0-8348-0236-0}}.</ref>

Practitioners of iaido are called ''iaidoka''.<ref name="FlashingPage314-315">Pellman, Leonard and Masayuki Shimabukuro (2008, 2nd edition) ''Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship''. Blue Snake Books. Page 314-315. {{ISBN|978-1-58394-197-3}}</ref>

==Origins of the name==
[[File:Sensei iaido-rework.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Haruna Matsuo sensei (1925–2002) demonstrating Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu kata ''Ukenagashi'']]

The term "iaido" appears in 1932 and consists of the [[kanji]] {{Nihongo2|居}} (i), {{Nihongo2|合}} (ai), and {{Nihongo2|道}} (dō).<ref name="WarnerPage79">{{harvtxt|Draeger|Warner|1982}}, p. 79.</ref><ref>Draeger, Donn F. (1974) Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. (Vol. III). New York: Weatherhill. Page 55-58. {{ISBN|0-8348-0351-8}}</ref> The origin of the first two characters, {{Nihongo|''iai''|居合}}, is believed to come from saying {{Nihongo|''Tsune ni ite, kyū ni awasu''|常に居て、急に合わす}}, which can be roughly translated as "being constantly (prepared), match/meet (the opposition) immediately".<ref name="ejmas">{{cite web|url=http://ejmas.com/tin/2010tin/tinart_thibedeau_1005.html|title=An Introduction to Iaido: Its Purpose and Benefits|author=Kim Taylor|date=April 2010|website=The Iaido Journal|publisher=ejmas.com|access-date=2014-05-27}}</ref>  Thus the primary emphasis in 'iai' is on the psychological state of being present (居). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding by harmonising with a sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).

The last character, {{Nihongo2|道}}, is generally translated into English as [[:wikt:道|the way]] or path. The term "iaido" approximately translates into English as "the [[:wikt:道|way]] of [[wiktionary:居|mental presence]] and [[:wiktionary:合|immediate reaction]]",<ref name="WarnerPage79" /><ref name="SamuraiZen">Shaw, Scott (1999) ''Samurai Zen''. Chapter 12. Weiser Books. {{ISBN|978-1-57863-104-9}}</ref> and was popularized by [[Nakayama Hakudo]].<ref name="WarnerPage79" />

The term emerged from [[iaijutsu]] (lit. "the art of mental presence and immediate reaction") and the general trend to replace the suffix {{Nihongo|''-jutsu''|術}} ("the art of") with {{Nihongo|''-dō''|道}} in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize the philosophical or spiritual aspects of the practice.<ref name="WarnerPage79" /><ref>Draeger, Donn F. (1974) Modern bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. (Vol. III). New York: Weatherhill. Page 55-58. {{ISBN|0-8348-0351-8}}</ref>

==Purpose==
Iaido encompasses hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, all of which subscribe to non-combative aims and purposes. Iaido is an intrinsic form of Japanese modern [[Budō|budo]].<ref name="WarnerPage79"/>

Iaido reflects the moral principles of the classical warrior and aims to cultivate a spiritually balanced individual characterized by intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will.{{sfnp|Draeger|Warner|1982|page=100}}
The practice is primarily performed solo in the form of [[kata]], which involve executing a variety of techniques against one or more imaginary opponents. Each kata begins and ends with the sword sheathed. Regardless of the specific technique used, imagination and concentration are essential to preserve the sense of a real combat situation and to keep the kata engaging. Iaidoka are often encouraged to practice [[kendo]] in order to maintain a combative spirit. It is common for high-ranking kendoka (practitioners of kendo) to also hold high rank in iaido, and vice versa.

To perform the kata appropriately, iaidoka likewise learn carriage, development, grip and swing.{{Definition needed|date=March 2017}} At times iaidoka will practice complementary katas from kendo or kenjutsu. Unlike kendo, iaido practice never involves sparring.

==Moral and religious influences==
The metaphysical aspects of iaido have been influenced by several philosophical and religious currents. Iaido blends the ethics of [[Confucianism]], methods of [[Zen]], philosophical [[Taoism]], the purifying rites of [[Shinto]] and aspects of [[bushido]].{{sfnp|Draeger|Warner|1982|page=101}}

==Tōhō-gata techniques==
{{Main|The All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR, Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei)}}
A set of five koryu iaido forms
# ''Mae-giri'' from Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū School
# ''Zengo-giri'' from Mugai-ryū School
# ''Kiri-age'' from Shindō Munen-ryū School
# ''Shihō-giri'' from Suiō-ryū School
# ''Kissaki-gaeshi'' from Hōki-ryū School

==Seitei-gata techniques==
{{Main|Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei Iaidō}}

The 12 official kata currently recognised by the [[All Japan Kendo Federation]] are (in Romanised form):<ref>"Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai 2014". English Version Manual, 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.</ref>
# ''Mae''
# ''Ushiro''
# ''Ukenagashi''
# ''Tsuka-ate''
# ''Kesagiri''
# ''Morote-tsuki''
# ''Sanpōgiri''
# ''Ganmen-ate''
# ''Soete-zuki''
# ''Shihōgiri''
# ''Sōgiri''
# ''Nukiuchi''

Because iaido is practiced with a weapon, it is almost entirely practiced using solitary forms, or kata performed against one or more imaginary opponents. Multiple-person kata exist in some schools of iaido; for safety, iaidoka  usually use bokken for such kata practice. Iaido does include competition in the form of kata, but does not use sparring of any kind. Because of this non-fighting practice, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving [[Zen]]."<ref name="SamuraiZen" /> Most of the styles and schools do not practice ''[[tameshigiri]]'', cutting techniques.

A part of iaido is ''nukitsuke''.<ref>Suino, Nicklaus (2007) ''Strategy in Japanese Swordsmanship''. Weatherhill. Page 38. {{ISBN|978-1-59030-489-1}}</ref> This is a quick draw of the sword, accomplished by simultaneously drawing the sword from the ''saya'' and also moving the ''saya'' back in ''saya-biki''.<ref>Craig, Darrell (1981) ''IAI The Art of Drawing the Sword''. Tuttle Publishing. Page 64. {{ISBN|0-8048-7023-3}}</ref>

==History==
{{hatnote|Early history (prior to the [[Meiji Restoration]] in 1868) read more in the article [[Iaijutsu]].}}

Iaido started in the mid-1500s. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is generally acknowledged as the organizer of Iaido. There were many different Koryu (customary schools), however just a few remain practiced today. Just about every one of them additionally concentrate on more seasoned school created amid 16-seventeenth century, in the same way as Muso-Shinden-ryu, Hoki-ryu, Muso-Jikiden-Eishin-ryu, Shinto-Munen-ryu, Tamiya-ryu, Yagyu-Shinkage-ryu, Mugai-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu, et cetera.

After the collapse of the Japanese feudal system in 1868, the founders of the modern disciplines borrowed from the theory and the practice of classical disciplines as they had studied or practiced.<ref>Draeger Donn. F. (1974) ''Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan.'' New York/London: Weatherhill. Page 57. {{ISBN|0-8348-0351-8}}</ref> The founding in 1895 of the [[Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]] (DNBK) 大日本武徳会 (lit. "Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society") in [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]].<ref name="DNBKHonbu2012">[https://www.dnbk.org/ Dai Nippon Butoku Kai: Honbu, Kyoto, Japan] (2012). Retrieved on November 13, 2013.</ref> was also an important contribution to the development of modern Japanese swordsmanship. In 1932 DNBK officially approved and recognized the Japanese discipline, ''iaido'';<ref name="DNBKHistory2012">[http://www.dnbk.org/history.cfm Dai Nippon Butoku Kai: History and philosophy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420225016/http://www.dnbk.org/history.cfm |date=2009-04-20 }} (2012). Retrieved on November 13, 2013.</ref> this year was the first time the term ''iaido'' appeared in [[Japan]].<ref name="WarnerPage79" /><ref name="SamuraiZen" /> After this initiative the modern forms of swordsmanship is organised in several iaido organisations.<ref name="Draeger1974Page67-68" />  During the post-war occupation of Japan, the [[Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]] and its affiliates were disbanded by the [[Allies of World War II]] in the period 1945–1950. However, in 1950, the [[Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]] was reestablished and the practice of the Japanese martial disciplines began again.<ref>Draeger Donn. F. (1974) ''Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan.'' New York/London: Weatherhill. Page 48-49. {{ISBN|0-8348-0351-8}}</ref>

The {{nihongo|Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei, [[All Japan Iaido Federation]]|全日本居合道連盟|Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei}} (ZNIR) was founded in 1948.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo-sask.com/JSAFAQ/JSAFAQ.php#_Toc422549468|title=How did Iaido Originate?|date=August 15, 2001|website=Saskatoon Kendo Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025233656/http://www.kendo-sask.com/JSAFAQ/JSAFAQ.php|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>

In 1952, the {{nihongo|Kokusai Budoin, [[International Martial Arts Federation]]|国際武道院・国際武道連盟|Kokusai Budoin Kokusai Budo Renmei}} (IMAF) was founded in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]].<ref name="imaffaq">{{cite web|url=http://www.imaf.com/faq.html|title= FAQ |work=imaf.com|date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> IMAF is a Japanese organization promoting international [[Budō]],<ref name=JCSMA_50>Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts. MEDSPORTPRESS, 2011; 1(2); Vol. 2, page 50.</ref> and has seven divisions representing the various Japanese martial arts, including iaido.<ref name="IMAF-Divisions">{{Cite web |url=http://www.imaf.com/divisions.html |title=International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) - Divisions |access-date=2013-11-02 |archive-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026032057/http://imaf.com/divisions.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QRUtAQAAIAAJ&q=%22International+Martial+Arts+Federation%22|title=The East|work=google.co.uk|year=2000}}</ref>

Also in 1952, the [[All Japan Kendo Federation]] (ZNKR) was founded.<ref name="FIK-history">{{cite web| url=http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/brief-history-of-kendo.htm| title=The History of Kendo| publisher=All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)| access-date=2008-02-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206071600/http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/brief-history-of-kendo.htm| archive-date=2012-02-06| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Upon formation of various organizations overseeing martial arts, a problem of commonality appeared. Since members of the organization were drawn from various backgrounds, and had experience practicing different schools of iaido, there arose a need for a common set of kata, that would be known by all members of organization, and that could be used for fair grading of practitioner's skill. Two of the largest Japanese organizations, All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR)<ref name="FIK-history" /> and All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR), each created their own representative set of kata for this purpose.

[[File:Sayuri Iaido.JPG|thumb|Japanese girl practicing iaido with a custom-made student's [[katana]] or [[iaitō]]. In modern Japan, iaido is seen as one of the traditional martial arts and it can be practiced by both genders.]]

==Kata under the respective iaido organizations==

===Tōhō Iaido===
The All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR, ''Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei'', founded 1948) has a set of five koryu iaido forms, called Tōhō, contributed from the five major schools whose teachers were involved in the creation of the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mjer-yamauchi-ha.com/ZNIR.html|title=Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei - All Japan Iaido Federation. Dr Raghpat S. Bains|work=mjer-yamauchi-ha.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629102646/http://www.mjer-yamauchi-ha.com/ZNIR.html|archive-date=June 29, 2018|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

*[[Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū]] School founded during the late Muromachi period ({{circa|1590}}). ('Mae-giri')
*[[Mugai-ryū]] School founded in 1695. ('Zengo-giri')
*[[Shindō Munen-ryū]] School founded in the early 1700s. ('Kiri-age')
*[[Suiō-ryū]] School founded during the late Sengoku period ({{circa|1600}}). ('Shihō-giri')
*[[Hōki-ryū]] School founded during the late Muromachi period ({{circa|1590}}). ('Kissaki-gaeshi')

===Seitei Iaido===
[[Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido|Seitei or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido]] (制定) are technical forms based on ''seitei-gata'', or standard forms of sword-drawing techniques, created by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation).<ref>{{citation
| editor-last = Draeger| editor-first = Donn F.
| title = modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan.
| publisher = Weatherhill | year = 1982
| location = New York/Tokyo | page = 67
| isbn = 0-8348-0351-8}}.</ref> This standard set of iaido kata was created in 1969 by a committee formed by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF, ''Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei'' or ZNKR).<ref name="Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai">{{cite book
| last = All Japan Kendo Federation
| title = Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai
| publisher = All Japan Kendo Federation
| year = 2009
| location = Tokyo, Japan
| pages = 50
}}</ref>
The twelve Seitei iaido forms (''seitei-gata'') are standardised for the tuition, promotion and propagation of iaido at the iaido clubs, that are members of the regional Kendo federations. All dojos, that are members of the regional Kendo federations teach this set. Since member federations of International Kendo Federation (FIK) uses seitei gata as a standard for their iaido exams and ''shiai'', ''seitei iaido'' has  become the most widely practised form of iaido in Japan and the rest of the world.

====Other organizations====
Single-style federations usually do not have a standardized "grading" set of kata, and use kata from their koryu curriculum for grading and demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ikkaido.eu/iaido|title=IAIDO {{!}} Welcome to IKKAIDO|work=IKKAIDO|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Schools==
[[File:Iaido2.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Iaido in the [[Czech Republic]] as demonstrated by Victor Cook Sensei, Kyoshi 7th Dan, of the UK]]

Many iaido organisations promote sword technique from the [[seiza]] (sitting position) and refer to their art as ''iaido''. One of the popular versions of these is the [[Musō Shinden-ryū]] 夢想神伝流, an iaido system created by [[Nakayama Hakudō]] (1872–1958) in 1932.<ref>{{citation
| editor-last = Hall| editor-first = David A.
| others = (Reviewing.) Irie Kōhei, Omiya Shirō and Koike Masaru.
| title = Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts
| publisher = Kodansha USA, Inc. | year = 2012
| location = New York, USA | page = 169
| isbn = 978-1-56836-410-0}}.</ref> The [[Musō Shinden-ryū]] is an interpretation of one of the Jinsuke-Eishin lines, called Shimomura-ha.{{sfnp|Draeger|Warner|1982|page=90}}

The other line of Jinsuke-Eishin, called Tanimura-ha, was created by Gotō Magobei Masasuke (died 1898) and Ōe Masaji Shikei (1852–1927). It was Ōe Masaji Shikei who began formally referring to his iaido branch as the [[Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū]] 無双直伝英信流 during the Taishō era (1912–1926).<ref>{{citation
| editor-last = Hall| editor-first = David A.
| others = (Reviewing.) Irie Kōhei, Omiya Shirō and Koike Masaru.
| title = Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts
| publisher = Kodansha USA, Inc. | year = 2012
| location = New York, USA | page = 335
| isbn = 978-1-56836-410-0}}.</ref>

Another popular iai school mostly found worldwide is [[Mugai ryu]]. Mugai-ryū (無外流) or "Outer Nothingness School" is a Japanese koryū martial art school founded by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi (辻月丹資茂) on 23 June 1680. Its formal name is Mugai Shinden Kenpō (無外真伝剣法).
Actually in the beginning, Mugai Ryu started as kenjutsu only school, but sent and recommended its disciples to learn another koryu named "Jikyo-ryu iaijutsu", and after Jikyo ryu vanished without any successor. It is renamed Mugai ryu iaijutsu/iaido up until today.

[[File:Toyama-Ryu.jpg|thumb|US dojo emblem]]
Another popular Iaido school is '''[[Toyama-ryū]]''' (戸山流), which was established in 1925 in Japan. It was created by the Japanese army during World War II to create a simplified form. This style emphasizes the most important aspects of drawing and cutting. After the war it became obsolete, but was revived after 1952.

==Ranks==
{{Further|Dan (rank)}}
Ranking in iaido depends on the school and/or the member federations to which a particular school belongs. Iaido as it is practiced by the [[International Kendo Federation]] (FIK) and All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR) uses the [[Dan (rank)|kyu-dan]] system, created in 1883.<ref name="books.google.com">[https://books.google.com/books?id=fdcDAAAAMBAJ&dq=black+belt+development+dan+system&pg=PA64 The Belt Ranking Game], May 1991. Page 64. [[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt Magazine]]</ref>

Modern kendo is almost entirely governed by the FIK, including the ranking system.{{sfnp|Draeger|Warner|1982|page=64}}
Iaido is commonly associated with either the FIK or the ZNIR, although there are many extant [[koryū]] which may potentially use the [[menkyo]] system of grading, or a different system entirely. Iaido as governed by the FIK establishes 10th dan as the maximum attainable rank, though there are no living 10th practitioners in Kendo, there still remains many in Iaido. While there are some living 9th dan practitioners of kendo, the [[All Japan Kendo Federation]] only currently awards up to 8th dan. Most other member federations of the FIK have followed suit.

==International Iaido Sport Competition==
[[File:1º Campeonato Brasileiro de Iaido.JPG|thumb|right|Medals and cups are a part of iaido in connection with sport games.]]

Iaido, in its modern form, is practiced as a competitive sport,<ref name="Encyclopedia553" /> separately regulated by the [[All Japan Kendo Federation]] and [[All Japan Iaido Federation]]s.

An iaido competition consists of two or more iaidoka performing their [[kata]] next to each other and simultaneously. The competitors will be judged by a panel of judges according to the standardized regulations.

The [[European Kendo Federation]] has arranged European iaido championships since 1993,<ref name="ekf-eic">{{cite web|url=https://www.ekf-eu.com/downloads/ec_history%20-%20iaido.pdf|title=EKF History - Iaido.pdf|publisher=ekf-eu.com|access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref> and this competition continues to be held every year with a few exceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ekf-eu.com/index.php?page=iaido&content=championships |title=European Kendo Federation - Iaido Championships |access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref>

== Organisations ==
Many national and regional organisations manage and promote iaido activities. The following is a list of international organisations which include iaido:

[[Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]] (DNBK), established in 1895 in Kyoto,<ref name="DNBKHonbu2012" /> approved and recognized the discipline iaido.<ref name="DNBKHistory2012" />

The [[International Martial Arts Federation]] (IMAF) was established in Kyoto in 1952 and is dedicated to the promotion and development of the martial arts worldwide,<ref name="imaffaq" /> including iaido.<ref name="IMAF-Divisions"/>

[[International Kendo Federation]] (FIK), established in 1970, an international organization for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo practitioners, which many national Kendo federations are a member of.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/What-is-IKF.htm| title=What is FIK| publisher=International Kendo Federation| access-date=2013-11-09| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016011912/http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/What-is-IKF.htm| archive-date=2013-10-16| url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[All Japan Iaido Federation]] (or Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei) (ZNIR) was established in 1954 "in accordance with the Japanese bushido spirit to pass on the time-honoured system of Kobudo Iaido".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaido.ca/history/|title=ZNIR/CIA History|work=Canadian Iaido Association}}</ref>

The World [[Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū]] Iaido Federation, established in Tokyo in 2011, is dedicated to ensuring the orthodox transmission of MJER Iaido to future generations worldwide, as well as promoting and preserving the development of other schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mjer-iaido.github.io/en/about/|title=About the Organization - World MJER Iaido Federation|work=World MJER Iaido Federation}}</ref>

Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei (ZNTIR) established in Machida Japan after WW II was created as "Toyama-Ryu Shinko kai" established by Tokutomi Tasaburo and Nakamura Taizaburo who were Gunto Soho instructors at the Toyama Ryu Military Academy for the Japanese Imperial Army. Over time the "Toyama-Ryu Shinko-Kai" was renamed as Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei, and practice eight kata from a derivative of Gunto Soho.

Murayama City, the birthplace of iaido, operates a number of iaido experience and training programs. This includes training with some of the iaido masters and English-speaking teachers in Yamagata.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/iaidoexperience|title= Iaido Training Programs|date= 28 July 2022}}</ref>

=== Ireland ===

[[File:Iaido 1st Dan Grading Dublin 2024 Kendo na hEireann.jpg|thumb|Ireland's First Shodan Iaido Grading in ZNKR Iaido]]

Iaido is part of '''Kendo na hÉireann''', the Irish Kendo Federation, which supports [[Kendo]], Iaido, and [[Jodo]]. Founded in 1998, the federation is affiliated with the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC), the [[European Kendo Federation]], and the [[International Kendo Federation]], with dojos in counties such as Cavan, Cork, Dublin, and Galway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irishkendofederation.org/about/ |title=About Kendo na hÉireann |publisher=Kendo na hÉireann |accessdate=2025-02-01}}</ref> In July 2014, the federation held its first Iaido Kyu Grading, marking an important step in the growth of [[Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei Iaidō|ZNKR]] (aka ''Seitei Iai'') in Ireland, with five candidates participating.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irishkendofederation.org/first-irish-kendo-federation-iaido-grading/ |title=First Irish Kendo Federation Iaido Grading |publisher=Kendo na hÉireann |date=2014-07-27 |accessdate=2025-02-01}}</ref> A decade later, in December 2024, Ireland’s first Shodan (1st Dan) grading took place in Dublin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dublinkendo.com/peter-west-sensei-iaido-seminar-dec-2024/ |title=Peter West Sensei Iaido Seminar Dec 2024 – Dublin Kendo |website=dublinkendo.com |accessdate=2025-02-01}}</ref>

Several other dojos across Ireland offer Iaido training:
* Kenseikai Ireland Iaido Dojo — a [[Dublin]]-based dojo practicing [[Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kenseikaiireland.com/ |title=Kenseikai Ireland Iaido Dojo |publisher=Kenseikai Ireland |accessdate=2025-02-01}}</ref>
* Ojika NI Dojo is located in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]], this dojo practices modern Seitei Iaido for gradings and competitions, as well as the classical Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu style.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ojikani.com/iaido/ |title=Iaido |publisher=Ojika NI Kendo Dojo |accessdate=2025-02-01}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category|Iaido}}
*[[Battōjutsu]]
*[[Fast draw]]
*[[Iaijutsu]]
*[[Kendo]]
*[[Kenjutsu]]
*[[Samurai]]
*[[Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
Following organisations are national Iaido federations in Japan:
*[http://www.kendo.or.jp/ All Japan Kendo Federation] (ZNKR/AJKF), a national organization for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo practitioners, member of FIK. {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060719150631/http://www.dnbk.org/ Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)] in Kyoto, a national - and international organisation for iaido in Japan. 
*[http://www.imaf.com International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)] in Kyoto, a national - and international organisation for iaido in Japan. 
([[Wayback Machine]] copy)
*[http://www.iaido.or.jp/ All Japan Iaido Federation] (Specialized information site ZNIR). {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130605164006/http://www.nichiiren.or.jp/english/iaido.html Japan Iaido Federation] (Nippon Iaido Renmei/NIR)
(Wayback Machine copy)
Iaido in the United States is under the auspices of the [http://www.auskf.info/iaido-new/index.htm All-US Kendo Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217134436/http://www.auskf.info/iaido-new/index.htm |date=2020-02-17 }} (AUSKF) and the various regional Kendo federations that are members of the AUSKF.

Iaido Training in Japan 
*[https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/iaidoexperience Iaido training in Murayama City]

{{Japanese martial arts}}
{{Martial arts}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Iaido| ]]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts]]
[[Category:Dō]]
[[Category:Japanese swordsmanship]]
[[Category:Sports originating in Japan]]
[[Category:Swordsmanship]]