Iaidō (居合道), abbreviated iai (居合),[3] is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.

[8] The term "iaido" appears in 1932 and consists of the kanji 居 (i), 合 (ai), and 道 (dō).

The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding by harmonising with a sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).

The term "iaido" approximately translates into English as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction",[9][12] and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudo.

[9] Iaido is a reflection of the morals of the classical warrior and to build a spiritually harmonious person possessed of high intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will.

[14] Iaido is for the most part performed solo as an issue of kata, executing changed strategies against single or various fanciful rivals.

Regardless of the sword method, creative ability and concentration are required to maintain the feeling of a genuine battle and to keep the kata new.

To perform the kata appropriately, iaidoka likewise learn carriage, development, grip and swing.

Iaido blends the ethics of Confucianism, methods of Zen, philosophical Taoism, the purifying rites of Shinto and aspects of bushido.

Because of this non-fighting practice, and iaido's emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen.

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.

[2] 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.

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.

[34] 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).

[42] 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.

[44] In July 2014, the federation held its first Iaido Kyu Grading, marking an important step in the growth of ZNKR (aka Seitei Iai) in Ireland, with five candidates participating.