Iaido Sword: Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu (Richard Babin)

A comprehensive, dojo-tested guide to the Japanese art of iaido. Iaido is the classical discipline of drawing and cutting with the sword in response to a sudden attack, then cleanly returning the blade to its sheath, direct inheritor of techniques refined over centuries by samurai whose lives depended on them.

What's inside: Richard Babin, M.D. walks through iaido's history and lineage from its founding by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu through its modern development, then moves into practical instruction: how to choose a sword, how to cut correctly, how to care for your blade, proper etiquette and uniform, and the complete curriculum of forms (kata) in the Muso Shinden Ryu tradition.

Extensively illustrated with clear photographs, this book is written to be a companion to real dojo training, not a substitute for it, and includes coverage of Sei Tei Iai for practitioners studying that curriculum as well.

Best for: Iaido students at any level looking for a thorough reference alongside instruction from a qualified sensei, and practitioners of Japanese swordsmanship who want the history and philosophy behind the forms, not just the movements. A natural companion for anyone training with one of our katana or wakizashi.

• Author: Richard Babin
• Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media, LLC
• Publication Date: July 29, 2025