Iaido

Iaido is a traditional Japanese martial art that involves drawing and cutting with the samural sword. Participants initially learn using a “bokken” (wooden sword) or “iaito” (blunt-edged sword), though more experienced practitioners use a “shinkken” (sharp katana metal sword). The purpose of iaido is to be quickly prepared to draw the sword in case of sudden attack. Iaido appears to be a simple art form where the practitioner draws the sword before putting it away, but it requires precision and fast reflexes. Iaido participants typically wear loose clothing, Kneecaps are recommended due to the heavy amount of kneeling required, as participants typically observe from the “seiza” seated posture.

Iaido was developed in Japan in the 16th century, and arrived in Canada with Japanese immigrants. The development of iaido in Canada is unclear due to a relatively low number of practitioners, and its practice in Canada has only been documented since the 1980s.

There are regularly-scheduled group classes for iaido.

Although iaido is Japanese in origin and Japanese remains the language of instruction at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, iaido is practised by people from different ethnocultural backgrounds. Iaido may be age-restricted to members 15 years or older.