THE SPIRITUALITY OF IAIDO

The spirituality of iaido is one of the elements that attract many prospective practitioners of this martial art who want to learn its secrets. It is a normal phenomenon, which is why we want to explain its meaning and implications.

What is iaido? Before delving deeper, do you know what iaido is and what it entails? Briefly put, iaido is the Japanese traditional martial art of using the katana, or the samurai sword.

Through practicing iaido, one learns the art of attacking, cutting, defending, and executing any maneuver with the Japanese sword, treating the katana and the body that wields it as a whole, always together in a special symbiosis.

The spirituality of iaido, a unique art

This purpose makes iaido a very unique martial art, full of spirituality. Although the training focuses on simulating combat against opponents, many schools place great emphasis on katas performed alone or in pairs, usually the latter.

A kata performed in pairs means that while one person acts as the attacker, the other person acts as the defender. When performed alone, the practitioner performs the prescribed movements, acting as either the attacker or the defender against an imaginary opponent.

In any case, this leads us to experience a very spiritual aspect of iaido, reaching highly meditative levels. Many attribute this to the strict awareness required to perform each movement of the katana correctly, achieving stylized body movement, breathing, grip, intention, focus, and attention, which are all known together as zanshin.

Now that you know a little more about the spirituality of iaido, if you wish to practice it, rest assured that it will be a great idea and that you will find all the necessary equipment to embark on this new adventure on our online store.

Picture by Krys Amon.