Iaido is practiced using an Iai-to, or Iaido practice sword, which is made of zincaluminum and which is balanced to be identical in weight and feel to a Shinken, or real steel, razor-sharp, sword, but which does not have a sharp cutting edge for safety reasons.
Senior Iaido practitioners often use Shinken for their own practice but not usually for teaching purposes. Shinken are not recommended for beginners, who often start with a wooden Bokuto (or Bokken), which are also used by advanced practitioners for 2-person techniques.
Iaido is practiced individually, usually in a practice hall with a wooden floor and high ceilings. Any open space with clean floors (practice is barefoot, and involves frequent kneeling on the floor) and high ceilings, such as dance studios, can be used. Mirrors are useful as learning aids but not required.
Practice sessions begin with paying respect to one’s sword, then practicing a series of specific basic or intermediate techniques together as a class, after which each individual is then on his or her own to practice specific techniques. Instruction is given on a 1-1 basis between instructor and practitioner during free practice. Practice sessions are closed with paying respect to one’s sword again.
Fundamental to Iaido are respect for, and proper handling of, the Japanese sword. If shinken are not used, it is a very safe martial art, with minimal risk of injury, selfinflicted or otherwise. Of course, even using an Iai-to with a blunted cutting edge, there is risk, but with due care and respect for the sword, such risk is minimized.
