Iaido is the art of drawing the Japanese sword. The iaido group at Norwalk Dojo practices Mondays nights. See the dojo home page for schedule, including holidays.

Please read the Norwalk Dojo iaido article for background information about iaido. The SCKF iaido information sheet provides useful information about iaido at SCKF. Also see the Norwalk Dojo promotion page.

On the first practice of the month, we hold muso shinden ryu koryu practice for yudansha (black belts).

New iaido students may sign up with the dojo at the beginning of odd numbered months. Similar to new kendo students, this may be flexible (see "when to join", as well as "fees", on the new member page). We require you to first watch at least one full iaido practice from start to end prior to your first lesson. You will also need to purchase keikogi (top jacket), hakama (pleated bottom), iaido obi (belt), and iaito (iaido practice sword); see the "required equipment" section in the information sheet.

If you also wish to learn kendo, we recommend that you start kendo first. Once you have mastered the kendo basics, at least at a beginner's level, you will start wearing keikogi and hakama, and you may start learning iaido. The amount of time it takes to get to this level depends on the individual; see the "PROMOTION" link for more information. Your iaido training will proceed much more smoothly and with more meaning if you already have a grasp of basics such as footwork, suburi, and striking an opponent.

Regardless of whether you learn iaido only or both iaido and kendo, you must also join Norwalk Kendo Dojo, Southern California Kendo Federation, and All United Stated Kendo Federation; see the "NEW MEMBERSHIP" link on the dojo home page for more information.

If you do kendo at another dojo which doesn't teach iaido, we ask that you join Norwalk Dojo (pay SEJSCC fees) for iaido only, and provide proof of your federation membership.

1. Movement warm up (without iaito)
   1. R foot front, R arm back
      repeat L foot/arm
   2. palms together ("gassho suburi"): forward/back, R foot front
      repeat L foot front
      4 steps R foot front, 180 turn, 4 steps L foot front, 180 turn
2. Kiritsuke
   1. cut to top of head ("stretch suburi"): R foot front
      repeat L foot front
   2. kirioroshi: forward/back, R foot front
      repeat L foot front
   3. squat: top to horizontal kirioroshi
   4. squat: ukenagashi, kirioroshi
   5. one knee down ("Ito sensei"): kirioroshi with partner: R foot front
      repeat L foot front
   6. 4-direction ("4d"): 8 count, starting with L foot kirioroshi
      if L foot front, move to 45deg right cut with R foot
      if R foot front, move to 180deg left cut with L foot
3. Ipponme-based
   1. ipponme break down (end of one is starting point of next)
      • mune on L upper arm to nukitsuke cut
      • nukitsuke to furikaburi, kirioroshi
      • kirioroshi to yoko-chiburi
        repeat with o-chiburi
      • o-chiburi to noto
   2. standing ipponme with yoko-chiburi, noto, 3 steps back to origin
   3. sitting nukitsuke and noto
   4. sitting stationary ipponme with yoko-chiburi, alternating feet ("Yamaguchi sensei")
   5. standing stationary ipponme with o-chiburi, alternating feet

Seitei iaido is also known as ZenKenRen (All Japan Kendo Federation) iaido. See seitei iaido points for details of each kata, including video links.

1. Mae
2. Ushiro
3. Ukenagashi
4. Tsuka ate
5. Kesagiri
6. Morote tsuki
7. Sanpo giri
8. Ganmen ate
9. Soete tsuki
10. Shiho giri
11. So giri
12. Nukiuchi

1. Shohatto
2. Sato
3. Uto
4. Atarito
5. Inyoshintai
6. Ryuto
7. Junto
8. Gyakuto
9. Seichuto
10. Koranto
11. Inyoshintai kaewaza
12. Nukiuchi

1. Yokogumo
2. Tora issoku
3. Inazuma
4. Ukigumo
5. Yamaoroshi
6. Iwanami
7. Urokogaeshi
8. Namigaeshi
9. Takiotoshi
10. Nukiuchi

1. Kasumi
2. Sune-gakoi
3. Shiho-giri
4. To-zume
5. To-waki
6. Tana-shita
7. Ryo-zume
8. Tora-bashiri

1. Yuki-zure
2. Rentatsu
3. So-makuri
4. So-dome
5. Shinobu
6. Yuki-chigai
7. Sode-suri-gaeshi
8. Mon-iri
9. Kabe-zoi
10. Uke nagashi
11. Itomagoi-ichi
12. Itomagoi-ni
13. Itomagoi-san

• Iaido Shinsa
  • Application instructions for iaido shinsa
• Iaido Competition
  • Iaido Shiai and Shinpan Regulations and Guidelines
  • Iaido Referee Guide
  • Each competitor's space is 7m long by 3m wide (see diagram).
• Japanese Sword Arts FAQ (Saskatoon Kendo Club page)
• Doctrine of Iaido