居合道

Iai-Do is a Japanese martial art that practices smooth, controlled drawing of the Katana from its saya (scabbard), cutting or striking an imaginary opponent (Kasou-teki) and then removing blood from the blade before replacing the sword in the saya.

The Founder of Iai-Do was the master swordsman Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu who lived around 1550 AD during the Muromachi Period. Most ancient schools of Iai-Do trace their roots back to this one man.

Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai-Do consists of twenty nine offensive and defensive movements (waza). Many of these start from the formal kneeling position called seiza; rise through to the standing position and end by sheathing  the sword (noto) while returning to the kneeling position.

Seiza (To-rei)