The character 居 'i' means 'to be' (especially 'to sit') in a particular place, while 合 'ai' means 'to fit' or 'to respond'. The ideal is to be able to deal with an attack at any time, no matter what situation you are in. Many techniques take place in a kneeling position ( seiza), while others start in a half-kneeling position or standing. In this way, one tries to develop one's skills and personality. One does not fight against a real opponent, but one 'mirrors' oneself. Training is done by performing kata or set forms that teach how to respond to attacks from opponents in various positions and situations. Practitioners of the art - Iaidoka - use real katana (or blunt training swords - Iaito - which are still quite dangerous), so it is primarily a solitary art. Iaido places great emphasis on the correctness of forms (kata), the precision and efficiency of movement, and mental focus.
The peculiarity is that the sword is drawn in such a way that it can be used as a weapon while still being drawn. Iaidō (居合道 Japanese for ' way of drawing the sword') is the Japanese art of drawing with the katana and belongs to the large field of Budō disciplines.
