The art of Iaido would appear to be a simple one. The student sits or stands quietly, draws out a blade and cuts through the air all in one stroke, then puts the sword away again. To the casual observer, there is not a lot to see. Iaido is an exacting art which demands a high level of focus and mental concentration. It is an art of precise motions with only centimetres of tolerance and split second timing. It is also an individual art that involves the student and the sword struggling to achieve perfection of form.

Beyond this physical aspect, Iaido is also a philosophically oriented Japanese budo art. The name "Iaido" itself is composed of three ideograms: "I", "AI" and "DO". "I" means to "reside" or "be" in a certain place; "AI" means "harmony"; and "DO" means "road" or "path". Hence, "Iaido" means the path to finding harmony in any situation in which one finds oneself – to be prepared for any eventuality.

Iaido is a very old traditional martial art. Etiquette, Japanese culture and history are all important aspects of Iaido taught at Rai Un Kai.

Below is a video clip showing Ohmi Goyo Sensei (7 dan Iaido) doing an Iaido kata