Iaido - the way of the sword - is a historical Japanese martial art, in which already from the drawing of the katana an action takes place immediately. This required a pronounced inner mental strength and calmness.

With the end of the Sengoku Peridode and the unification of the empire, there were no more major field battles towards the end of the 16th century. The use of weapons became the sole privilege of the samurai after a decree ordered the confiscation of all weapons among the people.
Kenjutsu, sword fighting, was part of the basic training of the samurai. The sword was considered the "bodyguard" from which you never parted. Standing, sitting or lying - always a samurai had to be ready to fight. Weapon techniques adapted to this development. In this context, the realization spread that victory could be achieved more effectively by a quick surprise strike than by a tiring long sword fight. Thus, the Japanese warrior perfected Iai: the art of drawing the sword and immediately strike the opponent. The goal of Iaido should be to end a threatening attack as immediately as possible with a cut of the sword. To create a system suitable for this purpose, the most diverse situations and circumstances of surprise attacks were studied to find a way to use the sword effectively against as many types of attack as possible.

Practicing this martial art requires a free mind, extreme concentration and body control. Every movement of the feet, body and sword must be adapted to the movement of the attacker.

Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu - Iaido, according to tradition, originated about 450 years ago. This would mean that this form of martial art is the second oldest martial art form still practiced in Japan.

The founder of Eishin-Ryu was Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto Shigenobu, who lived in what is now Kanagawa Prefecture from 1546 to 1621. Hayashizaki's iaido later had many names, as it was always passed from teacher to student. However, it is the foundation for the two most important Iaido styles still practiced today: Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu and Muso Shinden-Ryu.