Atarito 当刀 means “a direct draw-cut that meets and strikes the opponent’s attack immediately.” It describes the principle of the blade movement from seiza ushiro. In an iaidō context, it refers to a type of draw-cut where the sword is drawn directly into the target, and the blade strikes immediately as it clears the saya, instead of after a large swing or wind-up. This emphasizes directness, timing, and minimum wasted motion.
Here’s a collection of old masters performing Atarito:
This term appears in various curriculum in the following locations:
- Muso Shinden Ryu, Shoden (Omori Ryu) – First Teaching
- Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iaido
- Omori Ryu (School of Omori) Shoden 初 伝
- Kiyoikaze Iaido Federation
- 8th Dan Iaido Master Explains Musō Shinden Ryu Kata | Ryūtō, Juntō, Gyakutō on YouTube
- 8th Dan Iaido Master Explains the 7 Differences Between Ataritō and Ushiro on YouTube
Translation
当atato meet/to strike/to correspond with
刀tōsword
当刀Atarito “Meeting the sword” or “Striking with the draw”
