Iaitō

A Nihongo|iaitō|居合刀 is an imitation katana used for practicing the Japanese martial art of "iaidō". A "iaitō" is also sometimes referred to as a Nihongo|"mogitō"|模擬刀, literally meaning "mock" or "imitation sword". A real or "live" Japanese sword is often called a "shinken".

Materials and manufacture

Most "iaitō" are made of an aluminium-zinc alloy, which is often cheaper and lighter than steel. This use of alloy and a blunt edge also meets the Japanese legal requirement that restricts the manufacture of swords made of ferrous metals. As such, Japanese made "iaitō" are intended as practice weapons and are not suited for any type of contact. The best alloy blades are rather faithful reproductions of real swords with authentic weight, shape, similarly high-quality finish and fittings. "Iaitō" may even have a mock "hamon" (the temper line of a tempered steel blade).

Some imitation Japanese swords are made in countries other than Japan. They may even be made of folded steel, much like a real katana, but with a blunt edge. Such weapons would face the same use and ownership restrictions in Japan as for genuine swords, "nihonto" or "shinken" and would not be called "iaitō" in Japan.

Many traditional swordsmiths located in Seki, Gifu Prefecture, also produce "iaitō".

Some dojo in Japan recommend that only alloy blades be used for practicing "iaidō" until the practitioner's skill is consistent enough to safely use a sharp edged sword, or "nihonto" or "shinken". Some traditional iaidō schools ("koryū") may require a student to start with a "shinken" right away, while some modern dojo prohibit the use of a "shinken" altogether.

The matching of "iaitō" length, weight, and balance to the practitioner's build and strength is of utmost importance to safely and correctly perform the "iaidō" forms ("kata"). Due to the repetition involved in the practicing of "iaidō", "iaitō" are often constructed with the balance point of the blade being set further from the blade's point ("kissaki") and closer to the guard ("tsuba") than other blades.

See also

* Battōjutsu
* Bokken
* Iaidō
* Katana
* Kenjutsu
* Shinken
* Types of swords