<< the thing that has always bothered me about iaido is the lack of fighting spirit, and the one strike thing. it could end in one strike but if two swordsman fought of equal talent im pretty sure it would become a kendo like experience. >>

In my limited experience (started Muso Shinden Iaido in 1993) that "lack of intent" is the instructors fault or oversight.

Many of the kata I have practiced have more than one attacker, coming from differing sides and directions. Even in Shohatto, the first basic kata I was taught, it takes two cuts to put the attacker down and even then, proper completion includes continuing zanshin, in case he tries one last defense or has a nearby friend.

BTW A "cut" in Iaido is done as a slice, not a strike.

In my limited experience (started Muso Shinden Iaido in 1993) that "lack of intent" is the instructors fault or oversight.

BTW A "cut" in Iaido is done as a slice, not a strike. [/quote]
sorry by "strike" i was not being literal, of course the word i should of used was "cut" apologies. when referring to "fighting spirit" i didn't mean "lack of intent". have always thought that pulling the cut short was also not so good, think kendo's full contact is far more realistic as you know you can make that cut at a point through the person.time is not always enough for someone to grow im sure you know more since 1993 then some people who have trained 30years its all dependent on the attitude. btw is the "cut" achieved by right arm straightening in iaido as in kendo. or some shoulder shift?

"Japanese Swordsmanship" by Warner and Draeger, published by Weatherhill, Inc. was my Iaido sensei's bible. The authors go into what we have been discussing in far greater depth than I can.

The relation between Kendo and Iaido on page 93, the second paragraph, is highly revealing. It formed my opinion of the two when I first read it years ago.

I view Kendo as a fighting art / sport. It is physically active, teaches control and tactics and has its own way of weapon handling with a shinai. I do not consider it a sword art.

<< is the "cut" achieved by right arm straightening in Iaido as in Kendo. or some shoulder shift? >>

I would have to say neither. To fully straighten an arm is to risk overextension. Generally the arms are slightly curved, matching the curve of your blade. While a draw cut, often performed like opening a double door, is one handed, most cuts in Iaido are two handed. Both arms and shoulders and the body work together from your "center", very similar to Aikido. OSensei developed the moves of Aikido from sword moves.