What is Iaido?

Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna,the founder, created a synthetic bujutsu in the Eiroku and Tensho periods (late 16th C.) after he had fought on the battle field. Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido comes from this synthetic bujutsu.

At first this bujutsu combined various fighting techniques that were very important on real battle fields. It was not an independent sword bujutsu, nor an independent spear bujutsu, nor an independent jujutsu.

Ever since Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan, Araki Mujinsai Ryu has been handed down for generations. The style of Araki Ryu reflected the times and gradually was separated into specialized categories. This kind of changing happens in most bujutsu. The successors have been studying and trying to find a better way.


Now we can find three forms of Araki Ryu: "Araki Ryu Kenpou" in Isezaki City, Gunma, "Araki Ryu Gunyoukogusoku" in Yokohama City, Kanagawa and "Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido" in Himeji and Kobe, Hyogo. Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna was said to have been of the family of Araki Murashige, a lord in Settsu provence. It is a pity it is not certain when Araki Mujinsai Minamotono Hidetsuna was born and passed away.