Kata were developed for different situations that could arise both in sword battle and sudden aggression. The founder of this budo is considered to be Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto-no Shigenobu (1542-1621).Īll the movements are performed in specific technical forms called kata. Although, the techniques of whipping out the sword fast were known long time ago, the founder of this school was the first one to underline the potential mental and spiritual abilities of practicing iai. The main feature is that a thrust starts at the moment of extracting a sword from the scabbards. Iai is one of budo tendencies, variety of Japanese art of handling sword and appeared as a way of defending from sudden attacks. One can translate the name of this martial art as 'the way of being in harmony' or 'the art of adjusting oneself to circumstances'. There is a phrase in Japanese language, it sounds like 'tsune-ni ite, kyu-ni awasu' meaning 'wherever you are be ready to act immediately'. Methods of using a sword right after extracting it from the scabbards.
