Iaido

Japanese art of drawing, cutting and re-sheathing the katana in a single fluid movement.

👥1 per team🌤indoor

What is Iaido?

Iaido is the Japanese martial art of drawing the katana, cutting an imagined opponent and resheathing the sword in one continuous, precise movement. Practitioners work through prescribed forms (kata) solo, with emphasis on posture, timing and the mental state of readiness. Competitions are judged on form and execution.

Quick facts

Category

Combat Sports

Type

Individual

Players

1 per team

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Estimated origin

16th-century Japan; modern form early 1900s

Olympic

No

Popularity

niche

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-20.verified