Today, we refer to martial arts as Budo, “Martial Way”, or “Way of martial Arts”. Japan’s History is surrounded by the term, Samurai a warrior class who served the Lords (Daimyo) from around the 12th Century, right up to the Meiji period in the late 1870s. The samurai lived and served by way of the Samurai Code known as Bushido. They trained and studied in the arts of warfare. As the years progressed there was more emphasis on swordsmanship, (kenjutsu). Many kenjutsu styles were formed over the years, along with the rise of Dojo’s. As Japan transitioned into the Edo period 1603-1868 under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan became less volatile, and the days of feudal Japan were ending. It was during this period where swordsmanship for battle became more theoretical, practiced in forms known as kata. At the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the dissolution of the samurai and the prohibition of carrying swords led to a decline of traditional swordsmanship. However, the Japanese Police recognised the importance of sword training which led to a renewed interest in kenjutsu. Techniques were standardised in kata for training purposes which led to the modern developments of Kendo, Ken translating to Sword, Do translating to way, Way of the Sword. Alongside Kendo, various Kenjutsu forms continued to be studied, it is these that we refer to today as Iaido, Iai translating to “mindful presence” and/or “instant reaction,” Do translating to “the way.” “The way of drawing the sword.”