Iaido has been characterized as a defensive art form, owing to the fact that practitioners begin and end kata with the sword in its sheath. Drawing the sword became more important at this time since duels were common to keep the peace and settle personal grudges or other disputes. 'large-small'), a katana (long sword) and a wakizashi (short sword), thrust through the obi (belt or sash) as a symbol of membership in this class (firearms were relegated to infantry). While both batto-ho and kenjutsu were taught before 1600, sword techniques became more popular after this date, reflecting the change in the role of samurai as a soldier during Japan's civil conflicts to members of the ruling class. Kumidachi forms are performed using bokuto (wooden swords). The solo forms consist of properly drawing, cutting and returning the sword to the scabbard. All forms emphasize etiquette in the respectful handling of the sword. Iaido training consists of solo kata (forms) and partner forms, called kumidachi. Iaido, as the sword-drawing forms became known in the 1930s, is now used not only to teach sword techniques but as a form of mental and physical discipline, emphasizing correct technique and form, meditation and character development. While kenjutsu and sword-drawing techniques (batto-ho) were originally taught together, they are now usually, but not always, taught as separate art forms.

Basic iaido kata combines drawing the sword with either a defensive block or cut, usually followed by another cut, then chiburi (moving the blade in such as way as to remove blood and tissue) and noto (returning the blade to the scabbard).

Iaido contrasts with kenjutsu (combative swordsmanship), techniques done with swords already drawn, and kendo, the Japanese sport of fencing. Iaido is the contemporary Japanese art of drawing the long sword. Tsutomu Yamamoto, the head teacher of the Kenshinkan Dojoīy Deborah Klens-Bigman, PhD.

Iaido sword draw stance