Iaido

The swordsman sits motionless. His hand closes around the hilt. In a single movement, the sword leaves its scabbard and the fight has already begun.

Welcome to Iaido, the extraordinary Japanese martial art built around one deceptively simple idea: drawing the sword and responding to danger in the same instant.

Born from the sword traditions of the samurai, Iaido developed from practical methods of iaijutsu into a sophisticated modern martial discipline. Today, practitioners spend years perfecting movements that last only seconds, fighting imaginary opponents through precisely controlled kata while developing timing, balance, awareness and complete control of the Japanese sword.

In 30 Minute Martial Arts: Iaido, discover:

• How the samurai really used the Japanese sword

• The mysterious Hayashizaki Jinsuke and the birth of iaijutsu

• How ancient sword-drawing methods evolved into modern Iaido

• The differences between the katana, iaitō and shinken

• Why etiquette is inseparable from swordsmanship

• The secrets of nukitsuke, cutting, chiburi and noto

• Why Iaido practitioners fight invisible opponents

• The strange problem of fighting from seiza

• The great schools of Iaido, including Musō Shinden-ryū and Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū

• How Seitei Iaido created a common modern sword art

• Zanshin, maai, metsuke, mushin and the mental side of swordsmanship

• Whether Iaido would actually work in a real sword fight

• How to watch Iaido like an expert

• How to begin training for yourself

Accessible to complete beginners while offering plenty for existing martial arts fans, Iaido explores the history, techniques, traditions and enduring fascination of one of Japan's most precise martial arts.

The opponent may be imaginary. The sword control is very real.

Part of the 30 Minute Martial Arts series - concise introductions to the world's greatest fighting traditions.

Please note, this book is an introduction to the background and world of this martial art, it is not a manual and does not contain instruction, images or guides that pertain to teach techniques.

The author, having trained in multiple martial arts over the years, is of the very firm belief that a student should always learn from a qualified instructor.