Lift and roll the sword forward so that the edge points forward (away from your head) at the same time lift the sword and arms so that the sword is at eye level, and the arms are parallel to the floor, palms facing up.When there is roughly 2-3 inches of saya protruding from the left hand, rotate the left hand around the end of the saya so it is palm forward.Close the right hand, and move the sword to the right front (about 45 degrees forward, but still flat) allowing the saya to move through the left hand.Transfer the tsuba control to the right thumb.Transfer the sageo to the right hand - into the palm, not hooked on the thumb.Starting in teito, move the sword to the right front, bringing the tsuba roughly to the centre line of the body, but still at hip height.Return the sword to the left hand by reaching left hand over right and transferring the sword back to the original starting position (teito).Bow approximately 30 degrees from the hips - straight back and eyes fixed in the head so you are looking at the floor.Complete the transfer to the right side (the sword edge should be pointing backwards, the tsuba behind your right wrist, and the tip pointing forwards). With your feet together, and your heels touching, transfer the sword to the right hand, by reaching right hand over left hand, and grasping the underside of the sword.Shomen ni rei: (the sword is already in your left hand, sageo over the left thumb so it hangs roughly in thirds, angled slightly towards the center, and the sword overall is 45 degrees) In Canada, the following is the procedure for standing reiho for ZNKR Iaido. Etiquette, Japanese culture and history are all important aspects of Iaido taught at Rai Un Kai. Iaido is a very old traditional martial art. Hence, “Iaido” means the path to finding harmony in any situation in which one finds oneself – to be prepared for any eventuality. “I” means to “reside” or “be” in a certain place “AI” means “harmony” and “DO” means “road” or “path”. The name “Iaido” itself is composed of three ideograms: “I”, “AI” and “DO”. It is also an individual art that involves the student and the sword struggling to achieve perfection of form.īeyond this physical aspect, Iaido is also a philosophically oriented Japanese budo art. It is an art of precise motions with only centimetres of tolerance and split second timing. Iaido is an exacting art which demands a high level of focus and mental concentration. To the casual observer, there is not a lot to see. The student sits or stands quietly, draws out a blade and cuts through the air all in one stroke, then puts the sword away again. The art of Iaido would appear to be a simple one.