Iaido

Iaido began in the mid-1500s. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1542 - 1621) is generally regarded as the founder of Iaido. There were many different Koryu (ordinary schools), but only a few are practiced today. Almost all of them additionally focus on the more experienced schools created in the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Muso-Shinden-ryu, Hoki-ryu, Muso-Jikiden-Eishin-ryu, Shinto-Munen-ryu, Tamiya-. Ryu, Yagyu-Shinkage-ryu, Mugai-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu, etc.

After the fall of the Japanese feudal system in 1868, the founders of modern disciplines drew from the theory and practice of the classical disciplines they studied or practiced. In 1895, the establishment of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) 大日本武徳会 ("Great Japan Martial Virtue Society") in Kyoto, Japan. It was also an important contribution to the development of modern Japanese swordsmanship. In 1932, DNBK officially approved and recognized iaido, a Japanese discipline, and in that year the term iaido appeared for the first time in Japan. After this initiative, modern forms of swordsmanship were organized in several iaido organizations. During the postwar occupation of Japan, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and its affiliates were liquidated by the Allies of World War II in 1945-1950. However, in 1950 the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was re-established and the introduction of Japanese martial arts began again.

Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei, All Japan Iaido Federation (全日本居合道連盟, Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei) (ZNIR) was founded in 1948.

In 1952, Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation (国際武道院・国際武道連盟, Kokusai Budoin Kokusai Budo Renmei) (IMAF) was founded in Tokyo, Japan.[24] IMAF is the Japanese organization that promotes international Budo, and has seven divisions representing various Japanese martial arts, including iaido.

Also in 1952, the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) was established.

With the emergence of various organizations controlling martial arts, the problem of partnership arose. Since the members of the organization come from different backgrounds and have experience in different iaido schools, there was a need for a common set of kata that would be known by all members of the organization and could be used for fair evaluation. Two of Japan's largest organizations, the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) and the All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR), each created their own set of representative kata for this purpose.