Iaido is the sword-art of quick drawing the katana and striking in the same stroke. It’s an art I practiced as part of my Aikido training, as most of the projection techniques are based on sword movements, the self-defense movements swordsmen used when they were without their katanas.

Iaido Meditation

eyebrows growing out
droop past nose and chin
shakuhachi notes
swirling in the wind

bird song behind
water droplets falling
reflecting-pool ripples
while koi blow bubbles

single cut with my
quick Iaido blade
severs blossom
and stem

silk scarf pared in
two as it slides down
the razor edge of my
katana’s molten soul

intention and action
are one already flowing
in the instant of
conception.

–LE – 2/9/23