What is a Iaito sword？

What is a Iaito sword？

The Japanese sword has quite a deep history as an elemental symbol of Japan, and although it has now stepped down from the stage of war, it still exists as an artifact and a symbol of Japan's spiritual civilization. But in the final analysis, it is also a weapon, since it is a weapon then inevitably have to have the performance of the actual combat, we can often see the protagonist in some movies wielding the Japanese sword invincible, it's powerful cutting ability and armor-breaking ability to make people marveled at, however, in reality, the expensive and complicated production process of Japanese swords discourages many people, especially in the dojo, where sharp Japanese swords can easily cause accidental injuries to others when practicing, and many people who do not have the financial means are unable to own one, This is why there are two types of Japanese swords made by modern swordsmiths, the real sword, also known as “Shinken”, which means a living blade or an art sword in the traditional sense, the other type of weapon is the Iaito sword, which is used exclusively for training purposes, does not have a sharp blade, cannot cause lethal injury to a person, and does not require the direct involvement of a real sword craftsman.

How Different is Iaito to Iaido?

Iaito is an object, both a tool for training, and Iaido is a practice or martial art. In the old days of Japan, where assassinations were very common, whether assassination or prevention of assassination, there was a need for a technique to quickly draw a sword for defense and attack, which gave birth to Iaido.

Is Iaito the same as katana?

The Iaito sword, as a derivative of the Japanese sword, is not strictly limited to the katana, tachi, or tanto categories, but since the practice of iaito requires a quick draw, the center of gravity and the length of the blade are required. Overall the blade is shorter than a normal katana, and the handle is shorter than a normal katana in order to achieve a fast blade. In addition, as I said before, the real katana is very artistic, and its production process has at least 10 craftsmen or less to complete, so they are protected in Japan, just like everyone has their own ID card, each katana also has its own “landing card” to prove that it is a legal collection. The iaito sword for practice, on the other hand, is intended to be lightweight, and the blade is usually made of an aluminum alloy with a non-sharp edge, which is a perfect way to circumvent the law that says you can't carry a weapon. It's worth mentioning that some countries also produce steel katana.
But even if the edges are dulled, these katana are not recognized as Iaito in Japan, so you can import these inexpensive katana for Iaido practice in countries other than Japan.

Are Iaito Swords Imitation Swords?

The Iaito Sword is designed and crafted based on the shape of a traditional Japanese sword, not simply a replica. Apart from the difference in blade material, there are almost the same parts that should be on a Japanese sword, such as tsuba, kashira and fuchi, the Iaito Sword is assembled like a real Japanese sword, so it is theoretically a “metal model in the shape of a Japanese sword,” and has a certain value as a craft. 

How to pick the iaito while it lasts

Picking the Iaito sword while it lasts can be considered in the following ways.

Usage

- If it is used for Iaido practice, it should comply with the regulations of the practice place, and there are usually requirements on the length and material of the sword, for example, some dojos stipulate that the length of the blade is within a certain range to ensure the safety of the practice.

- If it is used for collection, more attention may be paid to the craftsmanship of the sword, decorative and other details.

Length

- The blade should be the right length. Generally speaking, longer swords are more powerful to wield, but require high strength and skill; shorter swords are more flexible and easier to maneuver. The choice should be based on your height, arm length and strength; those with taller arms may consider a slightly longer Iaito.

Weight.

- The right weight is critical. A sword that is too light may not feel like it has any texture when you swing it, making it difficult to grasp the power; a sword that is too heavy will make your movements sluggish and make you easily fatigued. Pick up different weights of swords, feel how comfortable they are to swing, and choose a weight that you can swing easily.

Material

- Sword blades are usually aluminum alloy, but nowadays there are also many quality iaito are made of materials such as carbon steel. A good quality carbon steel blade has a good balance of toughness and hardness and will keep a sharp edge while not breaking easily.

- The handle material should have a good grip, for example, a wooden handle with a fine grain and less slippage would be better.

Quality of workmanship

- Check the blade, it should be flat and smooth with no visible blemishes, nicks, etc.

- The sheath is also important; it should fit the blade well, make it easy to draw and retract the sword, and have no cracks or other damage to its appearance. Also look for exquisite craftsmanship in the accessories (such as tsuba, etc.).