居合道①（Iaido - The Martial Art of Drawing the Sword）

We present a special feature on the practice of Iaido, the martial art of drawing swords. Iaido is based around a series of kata, or forms, which developed as swordsmen sought efficient ways of felling an opponent with a single blow. We visit the All-Japan Iaido Demonstration to find out more about the meaning of the kata and the philosophy behind this traditional discipline.