the imaginary blood is flicked off while standing up. The feet are switched
while checking the opponent, and the blade placed back into the scabbard
while kneeling.
Various styles of iaidô may practice with the long sword (over 60 cen-
timeters [about 2 feet]), the short sword (30–60 centimeters [1–2 feet]), or
the knife (under 30 centimeters [less than 1 foot]). Many styles also include
partner practice in the form of stylized kata performed with wooden blades
for safety.
No matter where or which style is practiced, iaidô remains rooted in
Japan, in traditions that have been handed down for centuries. With the
advent of film and video, scholars can see that the art does change over
time, but as the natural consequence of physical skills that are passed from
teacher to student, not from deliberate attempts to improve it.
Iaidô has grading systems administered by two governing bodies. The
All Japan Kendô Federation (as well as the International Kendô Federation)
bases its curriculum mainly on a common set of ten techniques, while the
All Japan Iaidô Federation has a set of five. A test requires the swordsman
to perform a number of techniques from these common sets. For the senior
grades, techniques from an old style (koryû) must also be performed. A
judging panel observes the performance and passes or fails the challenger.
Both organizations use the kyû-dan system of ranking, with several stu-
dent, or kyû, grades and ten senior, or dan, grades.
Some older styles of iaidô have never joined a major organization.
They argue that an organization containing several styles and a common
set of techniques will lead to a modification or dilution of the pure move-
ments of the individual style, and that all styles will eventually come to
look alike. In the case of the Kendô Federation, that argument is sometimes
extended to speculation that the movements of kendô will eventually in-
fluence the movements of iaidô.
Iaidô competitions are becoming more common outside Japan. The
usual format consists of two competitors performing several kata side by
side, with a panel of judges deciding on the winner, who then moves on to
the next round. The judging is done on a number of criteria and would be
equivalent to that done in gymnastics or skating.
The major organizations hold a number of competitions each year,
and the International Kendô Federation is considering a world champi-
onship for iaidô. The European Kendô Federation and its national bodies
hold European and national championships. In North and South America,
there are occasional meets but no organized competitive schedule as yet.
As in many martial arts, there is an ongoing discussion as to whether
competition is a good thing in an activity that is supposed to improve the
practitioner. Those in favor of competition will point out that all sports
Iaidô 171