History of IAIDO
 

Iaido is the combination of two movements utilizing the Katana (Japanese sword).  One is the movement of withdrawing the Katana (Saya Biki) and the other is to attack immediately once the blade of the sword if out of the saya or protective case.  Historically speaking, it has been considered that this martial art has its origins between the 15th and 16th centuries.  Nevertheless, its proliferation as an organized martial art points to the Edo Period (1603-1868).  Iaido got more relevance during the Shogunate epoch in which Japan is unify as a military power which leads to a lack of importance of the battlefield strategic defense.  It is at that time when the need for developing defense techniques to common circumstances arises.  Among those common circumstances are daily reunions, walking by small trails, open doors, enter into houses, rooms, etc.  Iaido has as a premise that we are attack by surprise so we need to respond quickly and effectively to that attack.